It is pretty easy to sum up these chapters: Do what God says, you'll be blessed. Don't do what God says, you'll miss His blessing. Michelle used a great illustration in one of her previous blogs about the playground next to the road. Remember?-- The children did not feel free to play until the fence was put up around the playground. I have another illustration that demonstrates the same principle. A violin string laying by itself on a table has complete freedom. However, it can not move or make a sound. Only when it is bound to the violin by the master, can it produce beautiful music.
In chapter 4 it is written, "Give heed to yourself", "Watch yourselves carefully", "Watch yourselves, that you do not forget the covenant of the LORD." Moses knows from his own experience what it is like to miss God's blessing by forgetting, ignoring, or disobeying His commands. In Numbers 20, Moses was commanded by God to speak to a rock so that God would provide the people water from it. Instead, Moses struck the rock twice and it gave water to the people and their animals. However, Moses' disobedience cost him the privilege of leading the people into the promised land. Have you ever thought, "Really? Just because of that one little detail??" I have thought about it, but in my contemplating I've realized that there is no inbetween when it comes to God's commands-- it's all or nothing! So Moses urges the people passionately, repetitively, "Do not forget the commandment of the Lord!"
In chapter 5, the ten commandments are restated. This is another example of the importance of reminders, or spiritual markers. If these people, who had seen miracles by God on their behalf, needed reminders, how much do we need reminders?
Chapter 6 lists the benefits of obeying God. The most poignant verse is verse 25, the concluding verse. "It will be righteousness for us if we are careful to observe all this commandment before the LORD our God, just as He commanded us." It is written elsewhere of Abraham, "He believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness."
In the New Testament, we read Jesus quoting verses 5 of this chapter,"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." That is what this all boils down to -- our love for God! Do we love Him? Do we trust Him? Do we obey Him? Are we ready for Him to take us and bind us to His instrument so that He can play and produce beautiful music for His glory in our lives? That is an incredible thing to strive for -- LET'S GO FOR IT!!
May God bless the reading of His word!
No comments:
Post a Comment
To help us in moderating our comments, we are asking all blog followers to e-mail michael@bearcreek.cc before their first comment. Please include in your e-mail your Blog user name. We are sorry for any inconvenience.