The Bible in 90 Days (Week Two)

Text Overview
This week we covered Leviticus, Numbers, and most of Deuteronomy; up to chapter 23. The people of Israel are in the desert where they must remain and it is due to actions by their own hand. The cause rebellion, disobedience, and lack of faith, it seems not much has changed today. Like now they had been exposed to the world around them and all its influences; and we know that their world, like ours, was full of evil. There’s an old saying, you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink. It’s not the best analogy but it fits. There is one condition which was in effect then that’s not in effect today; the absence of law. Moses was given God’s commandments here in the desert for a people who had grown up without it. Everyone did what ever the pleased and whatever they learned from others. No one had God’s righteous decrees to draw influence from. Just as a parent has to teach and discipline there child, Our Heavenly Father had to teach and discipline His children.

Rebellion  
 
To restate it, as it’s presented here, it’s resistance in a very strong manner. No one had laws of any value other than what they themselves had made. When given God’s law  - resistance showed its face big time. The Israelites resented being told what to do and probably viewed it as a personal attack on their choices; sounds familiar for some reason. Captivity and exposure to the Egyptian culture had taken its toll. I understand why they would resist; they simply didn’t understand this new directive. In their mind what they were used to was already a good thing, why change.

Just what was being corrected?

 Well, their behavior for one thing, it needed correction for several reasons. First, it had nothing to do with God’s righteousness. Second, without correction the newborn children of Israel would be exposed to the same pattern of behavior; new standards must be put in place. There is also the introduction of responsibility and consequence. The concept of accountability had to be firmly established.
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What was being taught?

When it comes to behavior, a solid understanding of what is acceptable in the sight of God must be learned. Look back on the actions of Adam, with Abraham and his dealings with his wife Sarah, Lots daughters, or any other recorded account of persons before the establishment of the law. Even when having favor with God there were still issues. If they had problems what do you think was going on with those who didn’t seek a walk with God? All of these lessons carry forward for us today. Remember the direction; teach them to you children. As Our Heavenly Father taught and established these laws for righteousness, we should make an effort to teach and establish them amongst ourselves with each other.

Disobedience

Once the law was set in place, God’s Will for the children of Israel to follow it was also made firm. This opened the door for an understanding of disobedience which there was much of, and still is. In the last discussion I said that the choice to disobey God is the essence of what sin is. Where there was no concrete rule for knowing, now there is. It no longer can be ascribed to ignorance. This places a tool in our hands; a gage for self evaluation against the standards set by the Lord of all. How we use this tool is what determines the condition of the heart in the spiritual sense. With all the signs and wonders given for them to see, they still made bad choices in defiance of the Will of God.

1 Samuel 15:22 (NIV) But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

Reward and Punishment, God’s Incentives for Righteousness

We now know that works will not reconcile us to God, they have nothing to do with salvation. They do however speak of the type of relationship we have with our creator. They also don’t go unnoticed. Our works, like the works of the Israelites, are a testimony to our relationship and obedience to God’s Will. They are the very thing that the nations in those times would notice as a sign of God’s glory and greatness. Today it would be the thing that helps attract the attention of non-believers, backsliders, and converts to the faith. God also pays notice and even rewards right behavior. (See Lev. 26) It was not due to any great or special thing that Israel was given favor; their obedience or lack of it was no more of less than any other group of people. What was done for them and through them, was God’s way of establishing His righteousness in a people and then in a world. (A review of Deut. 9 is in order.)

More Tools

In addition to the tool of the law and the lessons taught because of it; there are other tools and lessons which illustrate key points of direction for both the children of Israel and mankind in general. Take a look at these passages from this week’s reading and see if you can grasp the messages being unfolded. As you read them ask yourself what is being said and why? You can respond in the comments if you wish, but the important thing is to meditate and be clear in your own mind.

Deut. 13:1-5
Deut. 17:14-20
Deut. 18:9-16
Deut. 20:10-18

Faith (A basic foundation)

We all have it and have always had it… but… we don’t always use it… when we do we don’t always use it correctly. As a young man I put my faith in short cuts. I put my faith in the seeming success of the world. I spent my time looking for short cuts, wasting time, and trying to find what was right there with me. What was with me and is with all of us from the beginning. I’m glad I finally got it… a basic understanding of what faith is and how it works.

The time spent in the desert, the wandering, the training, the teaching, and the care that the Israelites received was all to establish a basic foundation in faith. Like them I tried to keep my faith… ON WHAT I COULD SEE.

In the end I had to put my FAITH and TRUST in GOD. Only then did I have confidence to believe. It gave me the HOPE for success, and the back up of the only ONE who always keeps His promise; The promise that He will never leave you or forsake you. The children of Israel had this big lesson given them by God Himself.


This Week

Remember to check the comment boxes for answers to your questions, and feedback on your comments. I noticed that some are using the Bible Study Page as well, it’s O.K. I check them all. As you read remember to take notes, and mark those things you wish to question or comment on. I will still open a forum to handle topics of interest more directly. I do hope that your reading will continue with new understanding for you as mine is for me. There is not a time that the reading of God’s Word does not lend itself to new revelation and there is always something to be gained. Please continue your quest to finish in “90 Days”, and be encouraged… you are not alone.

Reminders
The Daily Readings are posted here… BibleGateway

The Alternate Reading plan for this week

June – Third Week:
Day 15 – Numbers – 35 – Deuteronomy – 9
Day 16 -- Deuteronomy – 10 – 23
Day 17 -- Deuteronomy – 24 – Joshua -- 1
Day 18 - Joshua – 2 – 14
Day 19 - Joshua – 15 – Judges -- 1
Day 20 - Judges – 2 --12
Day 21 - Judges – 13 – 1 Samuel --1

Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Blessings,
Matt.