A Boomer in the Pew

Bible in a Year: The Unspeakable Joy of God's Moniker for His Chosen: Sons!

Bible in a Year Series - Day #75 -This post is part of a year-long series where we are reading chronologically through the Bible.  Click here to learn more.  You are most welcome to join along at any time.

Today's text from the ESV Study Bible: Deuteronomy 14-16.

Deuteronomy 14:1a - "You are the sons of Yahweh your God."

This verse jumped off the page as I read it.  So much so, that I found it difficult to concentrate on the rest of today's assignment.

According to my ESV Study Bible notes, it is rare to find the people of God called "sons" in the Old Testament.  Yet, here we have it straight from the lips of Moses' inspired lips.

I also recall that Luke also described Adam as the son of God.

There is something very precious for us to understand here.  According to Dr. Sinclair Ferguson, God's labeling of his chosen as sons is everything, and the key to redemption's purpose:

"God is intent on restoring the image that he created of himself and his glory in the life of man.  Restoration of man to the image of God is an element in the gospel message that is frequently ignored in favor of other, equally biblical pictures of salvation like reconciliation, justification, and redemption  They are, however, its [sonship's] handmaidens."

From our view in the book of Deuteronomy, it is still difficult to see, but when we read the whole of Yahweh's redemption story, and understand the lengths at which God will go to redeem his children, this moniker (sons), given way back from the lips of Moses, is considerably precious indeed.

I implore you, please don't let this pass you by.

Bible in a Year: God Jealously Desires our Hearts, Souls, and Minds

Bible in a Year Series - Day #74 -This post is part of a year-long series where we are reading chronologically through the Bible.  Click here to learn more.  You are most welcome to join along at any time.

Today's text from the ESV Study Bible: Deuteronomy 11-13.

God thinking to himself in Genesis 8:21:

"for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth..."

I have noticed, and my ESV Study Bible notes have commented that:

"Deuteronomy constantly addresses the “heart” of its audience: embracing this law, seeking the good of this people, is the right response to God's grace and the embodiment of virtue."

God desires that we devote to him more than merely robotic acquiescence to his laws.  He jealously desires our hearts, souls, and minds.

In fact, as difficult as it is to understand, God will even send tests to his loved ones to help us see the condition of our hearts.

God knows our hearts, and he knows that when things are going really, really well for us, as it soon will be for Israel in the Promised Land, that our hearts have a great propensity to become self indulged, and arrogant.

Over, and over again, in the book of Deuteronomy, Moses is going to instruct the people of Israel to obey God, love God, and to guard their hearts.

"Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn." (Deuteronomy 10:16)

As peculiar as this sounds to our modern ears, God is asking Israel to take his covenant with them, and drive it to the very core of their hearts and souls.

We would do well to do the very same thing.

Bible in a Year: Moses Reminds Israel to Love and Fear God for Their Own Good

Bible in a Year Series - Day #73 -This post is part of a year-long series where we are reading chronologically through the Bible.  Click here to learn more.  You are most welcome to join along at any time.

Today's text from the ESV Study Bible: Deuteronomy 8-10.

In today's reading, Moses is letting the people know that they are going to possess a land beyond their wildest dreams.

Further, says Moses, this isn't happening because of any righteousness found in you.  This is happening to fulfill God's promise to Abraham.

Further still, your behavior these past 40 years has provoked God to nearly destroying you several times.

Therefore, remember God when you possess this land.  Do not let your hearts, once you are rich, think that this is something you have done.

Here is the provision for their side of the deal:

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?"

That certainly sums it all up.

We are to fear him, love him, walk in his ways, serve him, and keep his commandments.  All of these things, which if we do, is all for our own good.

Unfortunately, our stiff-necked natures would rather do things our own way, and therefore we get ourselves in conflict with God.

Have you ever found yourself far out in left field, apart from God?  I certainly have.