Tuesday, April 9 – Deuteronomy 4, 5 – Additional reading, Patriarchs & Prophets, Chapter 42 “The Law Repeated”

1. Why would God deem it necessary to give the Commandments to Moses for the children of Israel, after forbidding him to enter the Promised Land? Deuteronomy 4:2

2. How significant is the effect of Oral Tradition in the furtherance of Obedience to God? Deuteronomy 5:19-28

3. Is there an apparent penalty to obedience and how is that reconciled to the profit of God’s protection? Deuteronomy 4:30

4. What is God’s ultimate wish for His children and what hope does that give? Deuteronomy 5:29

The profound declaration of God, in private to Moses, is repeated publicly by Moses to the people of God. In Deuteronomy 3:24-27, Moses pleaded and hoped for a reversal from God (PP 462). It was not to be! For Moses, the consequence of his sin was not remedied purely by the forgiveness of God. Even though we may be cleansed from a past act, the consequences exist. A drunk driver that caused the death of a father maybe forgiven but be relegated to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. However, God still allowed Moses to have a panoramic view from the top of Pisgah and to “behold it with thine eyes” (3:27 NKJV). Moses still felt it necessary to share a glimpse of the glory of Jordan mixed with the disappointment due to the obstinate ways of the same people that may have aided in his demise. Imagine how Moses must have felt. Yet, his responsibilities included motivating the saints to journey to paradise, without him. We are called to a service greater than us.

My prayer today: Almighty God, please help us to be obedient to your words and see the benefits of a sanctified life with you. Keep our eyes on a forever life with you.  In Jesus name, amen.