Month: March 2023

Deuteronomy 17:19-20 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statues, to do them: that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, ot to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.

In the context, Moses is speaking of the king of Israel, that he should read the Book, believe God, and keep the words of this law. This actually happened when the book of Deuteronomy was found in the temple and read to King Josiah. Josiah heard, believed, and did the Word of God. As a result he started a major reform and brought the people back to God. It all started with the response of reading the Word.

This response also applies to all of us, every believer: read the Word of God! Our response to the Gospel is to be in the Word daily and weekly, to fear (believe) God, keep it and do what the Lord says. We do not really see or fully understand the blessings and benefits that come into our life from hearing God in private, with the family, in small groups, and in the Divine Service. But it makes a difference.

We respond to the Lord by being in the Word often, both because God commands it and because He promises rich blessings and a good life as a result. In addition, we hold fast to Law and Gospel, turning aside neither to the right nor to the left. This means we do not compromise, rationalize, water down, or make excuses. We stay on the narrow path of Jesus alone. “Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it.” “Faith comes by hearing.”

Deuteronomy 17:12-13 And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the Lord thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die; and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel. And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.

Refusing to listen to God and keep His Word is a very serious matter, so severe that presumption is worthy of the death penalty. It sounds too severe for a loving God, but He knows no other punishment for sin than separation from a Holy God, which is separation from Life.

We recoil at such a cruel and unusual penalty for such a “small sin” as not going to church, for not hearing and believing God. But in reality, despising God’s Word and spurning His Love is signing our own death warrant. It is our own fault, not God’s. Out of love He warns us of the cursed consequences of presumptuously rejecting God.

The sin of presumption is, at its core, pride of self. It is assuming that I am in the right, and thus God is wrong. It is leaning on my own understanding. It is trusting in my own self-righteous good works. It trusts in my own flawed human reason. It is guided by what feels good and looks good to me. In Job 40:8 God asks Job: “Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?” Job responded by repenting in dust and ashes [Job 42:6]. The experiences of Job, combined with the Word of God, brought him to fear, love, and trust in God above all things (including self).

Presumption also includes the unbelief that says, “I don’t need God.” It is too easy to drift away from dependence upon God alone and to look to the gods of the world for my good. The Good News is that Jesus died (the death penalty) in our place to forgive our presumption, pride, and arrogance.

Deuteronomy 16:20 That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Although in the present context Moses is speaking to judges and officers in the towns, the Bible makes it clear that doing justice is the response to the Gospel that the Lord expects from all of us. Micah 6:8: “He has told you, O man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Children complain when they don’t get what they want: “It’s not fair!” Then they grow up and realize that life is not always fair, and we learn to live with it. However, the Christian seeks after justice in all relationships, although we fail in attaining that perfection. Nevertheless, we want to do what is just and right and balance it with kindness and humility. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.”

Every person, as a sinner, does not follow what is just and always do right. Therefore, we are condemned and shut out of heaven with a Holy God. But the Gospel is the power for “In it [the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed [Romans 1:17].” Thus, “The just shall live by faith.” Paul revealed, and Luther discovered, that faith is the key that opens heaven to unrighteous sinners like me, because of Christ.

By faith we are just, and by that faith in Christ we live. The Spirit of Christ that came into the believer follows what is just, seeks righteousness, and also is kind and humble. Faith in the Gospel has worked an awesome transformation!

Deuteronomy 16:16-17 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the Lord empty. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.

One of the responses of the people of God to His gracious gifts and blessings is to appear before the Lord three times a year in the Jerusalem Temple. They would also meet together in God’s presence every Sabbath Day in their local villages. But there was something more celebratory about the three Feasts: Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles.

The NT Church emulates this pattern of worship. They meet every Sunday, the Lord’s Day, replacing the Sabbath. Then the Church picks up the “three times” for high festival celebrations on Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. (Though Pentecost is not commercially hyped, it probably should be.) And there are other high holy days that churches sometimes celebrate.

These Feasts suggest a pattern of church year worship, the point of which is to remember the Lord’s work and receive afresh the Holy Gospel. “This do in remembrance of Me.” To remember is to make active in my present life an event from the past. We apply the benefits of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to our hearts and lives by faith. We do this daily, weekly, and yearly.

Deuteronomy 14:23, 26 And thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstling of thy herds and of thy flock; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always…and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household.

The Lord God says we will respond to Him by eating before the Lord. Table Fellowship was an important part of Jesus’ life and ministry: “He eats with tax collectors and sinners.” This table fellowship culminated in the Lord’s Supper, which is an ongoing part of our relationship with Jesus in Holy Communion. To eat with someone is to build a relationship with them. It signals that we accept one another. Eating together is a big deal in human social interaction. And every time we share a meal Jesus is in our midst. We pray, “Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest…”

Indeed, Jesus is always with us, but His presence is particularly acknowledged and welcomed at family dinner time. The kind of fellowship, camaraderie, and the friendly banter of family and friends sitting at the dinner table is reminiscent of the kind of relationship we have with Jesus. He is God, yet He accepts us as brothers and sisters. The with–ness of Jesus’ presence can be experienced any time, but it is especially powerful when we eat before the Lord, and it is most notable when Jesus invites us to share His very body and blood at His Table.

Eating dinner with the Lord and sharing a meal, which God our Shepherd has abundantly provided for us, shows the close family intimacy the Lord wants to have with us. God’s Love is strong, and it binds us together with His Life. Then we fear the Lord and rejoice before Him.

Deuteronomy 15:19 All the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto the Lord thy God: thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy bullock, nor shear the firstling of thy sheep.

Sanctify means to make holy, or more literally, set apart for the Lord. We respond to Grace and Salvation by setting apart for the Lord a portion of our time and of our material goods. The principle here is that it will be the first and the best (without blemish) of our time and money. This response is a sign or token that our whole self and all that we have is the Lord’s. He saved us so that we belong entirely to Him.

In a non-farming society a practical response is to list the tithe as the first item of the monthly budget, and to not give the Lord what is left over after we have spent it on ourselves. And we give God the best of what we have (like a lamb without spot or blemish), not something we don’t need for self anyway. When the first and the best is set apart for the Lord it symbolizes that all of our life, time, work, play, energy, talents, and possessions is sanctified (set apart) by the Lord.

Jesus sanctified us forever and blessed us fully. Now we sanctify Him in our hearts. 1 Peter 3:15: “But sanctify (set apart) the Lord God in your hearts.” We signify that we have done so by giving Him the first and the best. “Seek first the kingdom of God.” We are all God’s and God is all.

Deuteronomy 15:7-8 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.

God’s Word has much to say about giving to the poor and helping them out when the brother is in need. Jesus says, “Give to the needy, especially to the poor among you, those of the household of faith.” Generosity is our response to the extravagant giving of the Lord to us.

God’s plan is that there be no poor among the church fellowship of believers, and the Church voluntarily takes care of its own. The Church’s failure to do so completely resulted in human governments taking over the poverty business. Of course, the public dole is not as efficient as charitable institutions. But Christian response remains: “Ye did it to me.” Compassion and generosity is a part of the fruit of the Spirit. The Lord uses us to open our hand wide.

Deuteronomy 14:22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field brings forth year by year.

Giving a tithe to God’s work is our believing, thankful, and worshipful response to His physical and spiritual blessings. We invest the seed, then we plant, cultivate, and harvest the multiplication of that seed. But it is the Lord who gives the increase and multiplies it as much as a hundredfold. Though we work for the money we earn, we also acknowledge that it is God’s gift and blessing. We thank Him by returning 10% of our income to Him.

The tithe we give is really a token of our faith, thankfulness, and appreciation for His material blessings. But more importantly, it is His spiritual blessings of forgiveness, life, and salvation for which we express our faith and thanks through the tithe. This is God’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes. Thanks!

Our tithe response is not forced as a tax or a duty, but it is a voluntary, joyful expression of a grateful heart. It is a tangible way of expressing faith and worship. We see it, we feel it. Tithing lifts the spirit. Giving to the church and charities is similar to the seeing, feeling, tasting, and smelling of a sacrifice. The Christian does not sacrifice or tithe to gain favor from God; instead it is a response to God for favor already received.

Deuteronomy 13:8 Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him, neither shalt thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him.

Faith in and worship of the one true God should be so firm and exclusive that we will respond with a solid “NO” to anyone who would invite us to “go and serve other gods [v. 6].” Consent not to the invitation, even if it is from your brother, son, daughter, wife, or close friend. Coming from loved ones and friends the invitation does not look as ugly and evil as it is. And our natural, familial love entices us to consent and go along.

But we respond from a higher and deeper love for God. “The love of Christ compels us” to resist the enticements to sin and the temptations to fall away. The Love of God toward us is stronger than brotherly or familial love. Peer pressure is powerful, but the Gospel is more powerful still. We want to be accepted by friends and to please the family, but our desire to be accepted by the Lord is even stronger.

Therefore, we will not listen to the invitations and enticements of those we love because God’s Love for us in Christ is even stronger. It is even as Jesus says, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” The love of Jesus says No!

Deuteronomy 13:3-4 Thou shalt not Hearken to the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

The people of God respond to God’s Gospel of love and grace by not listening to false prophets, preachers, and teachers, who preach themselves in place of God and preach only law and morality in place of the Gospel. We will always have false prophets around us everywhere in the world, as Jesus also warns. Be careful to not listen to, believe, or follow them. They lead you away from Christ, the only Truth, to false gods, which turn out to be SELF.

The Lord allows false prophets in our world to prove (test) us. Rejecting false teaching strengthens us in the truth of His Word. Knowing the difference between the preaching of Christ crucified and the preaching of self strengthens us in our faith. Then we respond with loving God, living His way, fearing (believing) Him alone, keeping His commandments, obeying His Word, serving Him, and cleaving to Him alone. We avoid listening to the false by continually concentrating on the true.

This means we attend a church that preaches the gospel, listen to Bible study that teaches Christ, and continue daily in the Bible and prayer. When we are reminded of the Gospel Truth often we receive the power to believe and live God.