What is the book of Deuteronomy about and how should my approach be as I read and study it?
The book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. It is part of the Torah, which is the foundational text of Judaism. Deuteronomy is attributed to Moses and contains his final speeches to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land.
The book of Deuteronomy is primarily concerned with reinforcing the covenant between God and the Israelites, providing them with instructions for living a righteous and just life, and preparing them for their new life in the land of Canaan. It contains a restatement and elaboration of many of the laws found in the earlier books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers.
As you approach the study of Deuteronomy, here are a few suggestions:
Historical, Literary, and Contextual Understanding: Gain an understanding of the historical and cultural context in which the book was written. Consider how the events and laws in Deuteronomy relate to the broader story of Israel's journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.
Read with a Devotional Attitude: Deuteronomy contains both legal and narrative sections. Try to read it with a devotional attitude, seeking to understand God's character and desires for His people.
Pay Attention to Themes: Identify recurring themes such as covenant, obedience, justice, and love for God. Reflect on how these themes are developed throughout the book.
Reflect on the Application: While Deuteronomy is an ancient text,it still holds relevance for believers today. As you study, reflect on how the principles and values conveyed in Deuteronomy can be applied to your own life and relationship with God.
In Deuteronomy chapters 2 to 3, the Lord instructed the Israelites to pass or inherit lands that belonged to various nations and peoples. Here is a summary of the instructions and the present day names of the lands:
The Lord told the Israelites to turn north and pass through the territory of their relatives the descendants of Esau, who lived in Seir. They were not to provoke them to war, for the Lord had given Esau the hill country of Seir as his own. They were to pay them in silver for the food and water they consumed. The present day name of Seir is Edom, which is located in southern Jordan.
The Lord told the Israelites not to harass the Moabites or provoke them to war, for he would not give them any part of their land. He had given Ar to the descendants of Lot as a possession. The present day name of Ar is Aroer, which is located on the northern bank of the Arnon River in Jordan.
The Lord told the Israelites not to harass the Ammonites or provoke them to war, for he would not give them any part of their land. He had given it as a possession to the descendants of Lot. The present day name of Ammon is Amman, which is the capital and largest city of Jordan.
The Lord told the Israelites to go up to Heshbon and take possession of the land of Sihon, the king of the Amorites, who had refused to let them pass through his territory. The Lord delivered Sihon and his land into their hands, and they defeated him and his sons and all his people. They took over all his cities and towns, and utterly destroyed every living thing. The present day name of Heshbon is Hesban, which is located in central Jordan.
The Lord told the Israelites to cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land of Og, the king of Bashan, who had come out against them with all his army. The Lord gave Og and his land into their hands, and they defeated him and his sons and all his people. They took over all his cities and towns, and utterly destroyed every living thing. They also took his livestock and plunder. The present day name of Bashan is the Golan Heights, which is a disputed territory between Israel and Syria.
The significance of these instructions is that they show how God was faithful to his promises and sovereign over the nations. God had given different lands to different peoples, and he wanted Israel to respect their boundaries and rights. God also wanted Israel to trust him for their provision and protection, and not to rely on their own strength or resources. God also wanted Israel to learn from their past mistakes and not to rebel against him or complain about his ways. God also wanted Israel to prepare for their future conquest and inheritance of the land of Canaan, by showing them his power and grace in defeating their enemies. These instructions reveal God's character and plan for his chosen people.
Esau or Edom in relation to Jacob or Israel and the enmity between their descendants: "The struggle between the two brothers begin in the womb (Gen. 25:22-23). This was aggravated by the time of them receiving blessings from their father (Gen. 27:38-41). The two brothers reconciled (Gen. 32:3-11). Mt. Seir was given to Esau as a possession (Deut. 2:4-5,8). On Israel's way to Canaan from Egypt, Edom did not help Israel but did go to war with them (Num. 20:14-21). God was displeased with Edom's action. Thus, Ezek. 35, Ezek. 25:12-17 (mentions the Philistines, which seems to refer to Edom). Ezek. 36:5 also talks about the present struggle between the two. There are other occasions that Edom pursued or went against Israel as in Ps. 137:7-8 and Amos 1:11. In the account of Psalms 137, it seems that Edom helped the Babylonians against Israel. It is important to refer to these verses to have a better understanding of what is happening today and continues to happen in Israel." - Daddy Moises
"God Wipes Egypt Away from Me"
throughout the year of 2022
three twos, two trees, my frostbitten toes
I laid down
as words like coals kept pulling me to my bed
a bed licked by flames which smelled of sulphur
wafting through the air
caught by the Western winds, they air
to feed to the Easterly winds
sucked all my air
burnt my hair
my bed brought to the lions' lair
yet the Lord sent a blue flame
that I cannot see but feel
as it cooled the heat and warmed the chill
like a thin veil
it ran through my back
and touched my hand lightly
as if to hold it
the days I turned my lights off
and ate in the dark alone
lonely as I kept my family away
from harms which surrounded me
my invisible witness, in my defense
silently He came to comfort me
and when words painted black have lessened
he took my hand and led me outside into His light
to leave the stale room, their grey air
and smell fresh air
to look upon and hear the good in His creations once more
to lie down on a hill of grass
and ground in the earth He blessed
its rhythm to beat
against and for my bare feet
and yet these words would still not leave
and so God sent His angels to sing
for my ears
to ring my heart
my soul to sing
they try to snatch the heavenly notes
to fail
for in chorus, our music drove out 6.66 hertz
God played the keys of my mind to rinse it
belting away all of their hurts
these black words then have turned their ugly heads grey
grey as old
they cling to the holes and cracks
that has since been shrinking in the crevices of my mind
a small scroll God sent to declare:
"they hate you
but I love you so much
don't forget me!"
this love of Yahusha covered me from fiery arrows
whose blood from the cross bathed me white
whose grace has given me my defense
against sins of the past
its shame and guilt
which they replay in loops like a broken record
my angels, one by one they appeared
to blow their trumpets
Rainbolt to know, see, and deliver
Wolverine to communicate and comfort
Limousine to mentor and give heavenly knowledge
Spiritu to be one with my spirit
the presence to express "amen"
Roentgen to be just as I
muted and challenged yet enlightened
Ziggi to make me laugh and laugh with me
Ramin to carry the heaviest burden of all
Zigzag to speak my tongue to become my bosom friend and advise
Engelsberg to respect and listen
Errol to delight in the works of God manifested in me
Kuya to cover and fight the wiles of the devil
Mama Bear to understand my condition and feelings
Daddy Moises to pray for me to win my battles
Mommy Loida to bless to make light my burden
all of them came for me
to fill my heart to the brink with love
to fight and drown the devil's noise
all of them God made dear to me
and like Yahusha cradled me to sleep
held by the great and mighty hand of God
that releases me from this pit of locusts
enough to wake me from a hellish reality
which plundered my God-given gifts
and has sought to pursue me
enough to return me to a land of Canaan
which I was dedicated to
a long standing promise He made
in store for me
Verses I've highlighted which resonates with me as I read through:
And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars— all the heavenly array— do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshipping things the Lord your God has apportioned to all nations under heaven. (4:19)
But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in latter days you will return to the Lord your God and obey him. For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath. (4:29-31)
And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness. (6:25)
Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord... Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you... to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you. (8:2-3,5,16)
Do not say to yourself, "The Lord has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness." No, it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is going to drive them out before you. It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the Lord your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Understand then that it is not because of your righteousness that the Lord your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people. (9:4-6)
The Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister and to pronounce blessings in his name, as they still do today. That is why the Levites have no share or inheritance among their brothers; the Lord is their inheritance, as the Lord your God told them. (10:8-9)
It was not his will to destroy you. (10:10)
You must not worship the Lord your God in their way, because in worshipping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the Lord hates. They even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods. See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it. (12:31-32)
If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted towards your poor brother. (15:7)
Do not eat it with bread made with yeast, but for seven days eat unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left Egypt in haste— so that all the days of your life you may remember the time of your departure from Egypt. (16:3)
How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord? (18:21)
Do not abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother. Do not abhor an Egyptian, because you lived as an alien in his country. (23:7)
See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees, and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess... Now choose life so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (30:15-16,19-20)
In response, I write:
During the past weeks, I have been experiencing a divine connection with God through His messengers. I sense the presence of angels guiding me and encouraging me to focus on God's word, maintain a prayerful attitude, and emulate Christ's teachings, particularly forgiveness and love, even towards those who harbor negativity within me. Despite the challenges that try to dampen my spirit, these angels inspire me to persevere in my daily endeavors. It is important to remember that these angelic beings are subordinate to Jesus Christ, our Savior, and God, our Heavenly Father. They operate under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and their purpose aligns with the teachings and example set by Christ. Ultimately, all glory and gratitude belong to God, and I express my heartfelt thanks to the divine presence within my mind by saying, "Thank you, Jesus."
For nearly two years, I have been plagued by negative thoughts that have gradually worn me down. However, as I delve into the teachings of God, I am reminded that it is not His intention to bring destruction upon me, my mind, or my life. Despite the attempts of evil forces to convince me otherwise, God assures me through His Word that He is not punishing me for my own sins or the sins committed against me by others. His promise to His faithful followers provides me with protection against the lies of the devil. God, in His infinite wisdom, frequently communicates His love for me through various channels. The Holy Spirit speaks to me in uplifting voices within my mind, and I also receive reassurance through the support and guidance of my parents and those around me. These manifestations of God's love serve as constant reminders that He is always with me. Through His boundless mercy, grace, and love, I find solace and salvation from the persistent voices that trouble my mind. God's love is a shield that guards me against the negative influences seeking to undermine my well-being.
Instead of condemning me, God is guiding me and imparting His teachings so that I may embrace discipline in accordance with His divine plan. During challenging times when I felt trapped, reminiscent of the struggles in Egypt, I came to realize that God permitted it to occur in order to search the depths of my heart. He does so in the presence of my conscious mind and with my angels as witnesses. I was shaken to the core, causing even the strongest foundations and attachments to crumble and fade away. However, as a devoted follower of Christ, I understand that only His word will endure in my heart, showcasing the power and truth of God's divine message in my life. Deception was allowed to pervade my thoughts, causing my own words to dissipate. This was a deliberate orchestration to lead me to cling firmly to His word and His voice. In doing so, I am being restored to completeness with the truth in His word serving as the adhesive, akin to the art of kintsugi that repairs broken pottery with gold, enhancing its beauty and resilience. Thus, my soul is being transformed and made whole through the healing power of God's truth.
And thus, just as God has proclaimed, it is not on account of our own righteousness that we are rescued from our adversaries. Rather, it is because our adversaries are wicked, and thus the Lord seeks their destruction. It is crucial to continually remind myself that righteousness originates from adhering to and obeying the divine commands. The Lord understands that, as spiritual beings, we, like the ancient Israelites, exhibit stubbornness in various ways, and there are instances when we, as sinners, fail to abide by the Lord's instructions. Through this, the Lord guides and corrects us, so that we do not take pride in our righteousness, but instead embrace humility, recognizing that, as fallible individuals endowed with limited strength and understanding, we too are susceptible to corruption.
In my current circumstances, I have found that God is instilling in me a profound sense of humility that surpasses anything I have ever known. I am learning to humbly surrender my cares and worries, recognizing that my circumstances have humbled my spirit. I am discovering the importance of entrusting all my concerns to God, who holds the paths of my life in His hands. Furthermore, I am growing in my trust in God's good plans for me, even as I find myself in the depths of emotional and psychological challenges. Through these trials, God is teaching me genuine humility before Him. I have come to realize that regardless of what I possessed in the past or what I have lost along the way, we are all mere dust in the presence of the Lord. This awareness has allowed me to appreciate not only the things I once had but also the small blessings that I previously overlooked. I now understand that every task holds significance in the eyes of the Lord, and in light of my partial disability, I have come to appreciate that no job is too menial if it enables me to persevere and grow. This experience has opened my eyes to the fact that the ability to work itself is a tremendous blessing from God, one that should never be taken for granted. I still have much to learn about humility, and I pray that God will guide me toward my true calling—a path that aligns with the peace and contentment of my soul. As I continue to aspire to improve my situation, I remain confident that God's direction will lead me to a fulfilling purpose.
It brings me immense comfort to witness the Lord's acknowledgment of the Levites, His ministers of the gospel. Reflecting on this, I am reminded of how the Lord Himself has become the greatest inheritance for my family—a family that has faced financial limitations but remains firmly rooted in the Word of God. Despite a period of ten years when I distanced myself from the Lord's presence due to a lack of faith, I am grateful because His words have continued to resonate within my soul. His grace and love have remained unwavering companions throughout the turbulent moments of my life. Discovering that the Lord is always there, attentively listening to me and my prayers, while diligently watching over me, fills me with profound joy. I have come to realize that being in His presence surpasses the accumulation of all earthly blessings combined. The depth of His teachings has shown me the immeasurable value of a relationship with Him.
Comentarios