Deuteronomy 17 – Deuteronomy 20

Were you challenged by the idea of creating three specialized cities as proposed in chapter 19? I was. These weren’t any ordinary cities. These were cities where individuals could flee to if they had unintentionally killed some one. There is a key work there is “unintentionally.” How do you prove that one? Add to that the implied, ‘you will be safe as long as you can get there first . . . but in the mean time, vengeance is may be fair game.” All in all it struck me as odd.

Its not to say that it wouldn’t work, or didn’t, but just think of that in our own day and time. A city of refuge for murders. How would that work? Probably not too well. Then, one can’t help but wonder what the crime rate may have been in those three cities. I guess you travel and vacation at your own risk?

Then, as Moses has been doing all throughout his farewell speech, the reiterated warning comes again in chapter 20. You are about to overtake a new land. “Annihilate” is the word used in vs. 17. A pretty striking word with drastic consequences. Annihilate everything you see. Why? So that you will not be tempted to fall into their sinful ways.

A fitting way to end on this Ash Wednesday, even from the Garden of Eden, to the shores of the Jordan River, all the way to you and me, temptations lurks on. Praise be to God, Jesus has died for our sins, so that we might be one with God!

Even in the midst of temptation, remember . . .
“You are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: Deuteronomy 21 – 23

Deuteronomy 11 – Deuteronomy 13
Deuteronomy 14 – Deuteronomy 16

I’ve gotten a bit behind, sorry about that. I’ve been faithfully reading a few chapters each night, but I haven’t taken the time to post a few thoughts. Things are a bit crazy right now. My wife had a birthday. Our oldest has been home sick for the past three days. Tonight I’m flipping pancakes for our youth Pancake Dinner, and tomorrow is this little thing called Ash Wednesday. So . . . I’ve been busy. That’s life, and those are my excuses. Still doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten about all of your.

On to some thoughts . . .

A little over a year ago, I started a diet. At that point is was more of medical emergency as I learn an cope with being a diabetic. Diet, exercise, a health coach, and all the other good stuff helped me to loose 30 pounds. Although this winter has been hard, and a few of those have crept back on, but I’m still down over 20 from where I started!

In the midst of getting started, my health coach gave simple advice, “If there are sweets in the house, get rid of them.” Sounds easy enough, except that I have two teenage boys and they wouldn’t tolerate “no sweets” all too well. Add to that, when I got started nearly a year ago, Easter was soon upon us. Of course of all the goodies swapped and traded between our two boys as they sorted through their Easter Baskets were one of my favorites, a caramel Cadbury Easter egg.

Soon I heard, “Here you should have this dad!” as one of the boys gave it to me. Temptation, now lay in my hands. Was I ever tempted. Truth be told, I never ate it. It sits on the top of my dresser. Shiny and gold, just waiting to be eaten. Serving as a daily reminder, I can do this! There have been times, when I thought I needed a pick me up, but I’ve resisted. Still its hard. Every day, as I am in and out of my dresser, it’s there. Waiting!

Now you may think that doesn’t have anything to do with the Israelites and our Biblical story, but I think it does. How often have we heard Moses and/or God give warning to the people, with words that essentially say,

You are about to enter a new land.
When you do, destroy everything.  
Do not leave their temples.  
Do not worship their gods.
Tear down their idols.  
Remove their men, women, children from your midst
What ever you do, remove it all!

I realize that is a huge paraphrase of many of the past chapters, but the point remains the same. If this is going to work, you have to be able to start fresh, and follow faithfully. For me, it’s like my health coach saying, “remove all the sweets.” Let’s face it, in the end what’s going to happen? One day I’m probably going to eat that Easter Egg. In much the same way, the Israelites are going to find themselves worshiping false gods, loosing sight of the God of our Salvation.

We will soon realize that despite the constant reminder given by Moses in this farewell speech, the temptation is too much. Sin creeps back in. The people goof up. Exile awaits. Then for us, (as much as it was for the people back then), as Ash Wednesday approaches, the need for a savior grows ever more present, each and every day!

Now one kind reminder:

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: Deuteronomy 17-20

Deuteronomy 8 – Deuteronomy 10

Some great warnings come out of these three chapters in Deuteronomy. One that gives a cautious warning for us today, as much as it did nearly 3500 years ago. One that provides some clarity on events to come. And, one that is just a bit of fun.

Cautions for today (as much as yesterday) . . .

Take care that you do not forget the Lord your God, by failing to keep his commandments, his ordinances, and his statutes, which I am commanding you today. When you have eaten your fill and have built fine houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks have multiplied, and your silver and gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied, then do not exalt yourself, forgetting the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, 
Deut. 8:11-14

That’s rich! As much as we are blessed, as much as our sisters and brothers from Ancient Israel were blessed, how often we forget where those blessings come from. God indeed is good, gracious, and abundantly generous. Let us never forget where our abundance comes from. The true warning comes in verses 19 and 20. Essentially . . . if you forget this, you will perish. Holding true to that warning, Israel does forget and exile happens. Although we have several hundred years to read through before that happens.

Some clarity on what is about to happen next . . .

One of my faithful followers asked the question, “if one of the Commandments says, ‘thou shall not kill’, how is it that the Israelites are allowed to go in and destroy all these other nations?” Great question! Deuteronomy chapter 9 helps us to understand that just a bit more.

It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you are going in to occupy their land; but because of the wickedness of these nations the Lord your God is dispossessing them before you, in order to fulfill the promise that the Lord made on oath to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Know, then, that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land to occupy because of your righteousness; for you are a stubborn people.
Deut. 9:5-6

I wonder how much that stung when the people heard Moses speak it too them. Essentially saying, “you don’t deserve this, God knows it, you know it.” However, God is keeping the promises made, and cleansing the earth because of the wickedness of the other nations. If I remember right, God tried that once before, right? Oh, yes. Last time it was with a flood. This time its with people.

Does that make it right to kill. I still don’t think so, but it at least provides a bit of clarity on how we dodge the question around God’s Commandment.

Lastly something fun . . .

One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 
Deut. 8:3b

Great words, how ever, words that could be modified.
One does not live by bread alone, but with . . .

At least that’s what got me through most of my childhood! Good stuff, but the Word of God is so much better. So I think we should stay with the original text.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: Deuteronomy 11 – 13

Deuteronomy 3 – Deuteronomy 4
Deuteronomy 5 – Deuteronomy 5

I will honestly have to admit, after reading chapters 3 and 4, I turned to my wife (who is sharing this journey with me) and said, “This is going to be a long few weeks of reading!” I long for story, depth, meaning. Not that these words aren’t important, but . . . it lacked the oomph to keep me exciting. Then I, set things aside, turned the page and started the readings for day 60! Now that is more like it!!

As Moses remembers the story of Israel, we come across the Ten Commandants. (See Day 24 for the original post) Once again, we come across the foundation of the Law upon which God expects us to live by. Yes, we have broken them all, that fact hasn’t changed. Perhaps we have broken them all, because we can’t remember them. So here’s a great little tool to help you remember the Ten Commandments. I’ll give credit to my internship year mentor, Pastor Gary Erdos, for teaching me this one as he was teaching Confirmation Class. I used it every year with my youth, and its a fun, way to remember all ten.

You have to start at the bottom of the picture, and work your way up from there.

#1 – there is only one God. I am the LORD your God, you shall have no other gods before me.

Weather Vane – “Do not take the name of the LORD in vain“

Bath Tub – Honor the Sabbath, and keep it holy.

Mom and Dad – Dressed in the tub: Honor your father and your mother.

Dad holding a gun – you shall not kill.

A tree with a baby doll, growing out of the tub – you shall not commit adultery. (a-doll-tree).

A Robber – You shall not steal.

The Robber holding a picket sign with a lion’s head and a red “no” circle – You shall not lie (No Lion)

The last two commandants are combined for this one. A convertible with your neighbor and all of your neighbor’s belongings – you shall not covet (convert) your neighbors wife, servant, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

So, I know there are some creative liberties taken on this one, but for all of you visual learners out there, this one works. Perhaps if we can remember them, maybe we can live by them.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: Deuteronomy 8 – 10

ps: Many thanks to my wife for her creative drawing, the last time I taught this to the confirmation youth! Didn’t she do great!

Deuteronomy 1 – Deuteronomy 2

We turn our attention to the fifth book of the Bible. Deuteronomy is the final book of the Pentateuch. I know this isn’t a word I’ve used in my blog yet, but Pentateuch, simply translated means five books/scrolls. As we’ve observed this far in our journey, these five books tell the story of creation, and as we read through the rest Deuteronomy, it will lead us through the death of Moses. Looking at the Pentateuch as a whole, this is the foundation of the people of God and the establishment of the nation of Israel.

As we venture into the Deuteronomy, keep in mind that these chapters contain Moses’ last words to the people he’s spent the close to 50 years with. These are his final blessing full of words of warning, wisdom, and remembrance. For now we start with words of remembrance, as their story is retold.

One laughable moment that I had as I was reading along, when Moses spoke of his own fate:

 ^“Because of you
the Lord became angry with me
also and said, “You shall not enter it, (the Promised Land) either.”
Deut. 1:37 NIV

I laughed, as Moses blames the people. I thought, “Really Moses? You were the one who struck the rock when God said to speak to it. Sure you were frustrated with the people, but you were in control. Don’t pass the blame on this one.” Goes back to that childhood teaching, any time you point a finger at someone else, you’ve got three fingers pointing back at you.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: Deuteronomy 3 – 4

Numbers 35 – Numbers 36

Our reading through Numbers is complete! Sadly with a rather anticlimactic ending.

These are the commandments and the ordinances that the Lord commanded through Moses to the Israelites in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.
Numbers 36:13

Now we begin our journey through the Book of Deuteronomy. Fair warning, we are going to hear a lot of repeat, from the books we’ve just read. Remember, this is Moses’ fair well speech to the people. He’s going to reflect, challenge, and encourage the people as the are about to enter the Promised Land. Before we turn the page, I’d like to refer you back to our friends over at thebibleproject.com and their videos on Numbers (as a summery to everything we’ve been reading) and on Deuteronomy (as a precursor of what we are about to read). Hope you enjoy!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: Deuteronomy 1 – 2

Numbers 33 – Numbers 34

Growing up my sister and I often found ourselves raiding Dad’s workbench in search of a roll of masking tape. Of course this was back in the days before blue painters tape was around, so the good old light brown roll of masking tape was our sought after treasure. Now, I’ll have to admit, you should use the word “treasure” pretty loosely, because it wasn’t a treasure at all. It was a line of defense! When one of us wasn’t getting along with the other, the roll of masking tape came out and it was stretched from one end of our play room to the other. “This is my side!” “That’s your side!” Often we’d pen each other in, so they couldn’t cross over to the door, without some consequence. In the end, there was more than once that my braces ended up stuck in the carpet, or that my sister ended up with stitches. We were tough on each other, yet we still did (and do) love each other dearly. Still, the masking tape would come out to draw a border between us.

As God speaks to the Israelites and they prepare to cross the River Jordan, I was reminded of Dad’s roll of masking tape. The borders are drawn for the Israelites as they are about to enter the Promised Land. North, South, East, West. From the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River. From the wadi of Egypt to Hazar-enan. This shall be your land. This is the land promised. This is the land dreamed of. This is the land you have waited to inherit. With God’s guidance, the masking tape is stretched out, and a place to call their own will soon be upon them.

Blessings,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: Numbers 35 – 36

Numbers 31 – Numbers 32

Is it me or does this book seem to be dragging on at this point? I guess in my mind, we had the second census in chapter 26, and I was ready to move on to the Promised Land. Were you? Then I have to keep reminding myself that we have all of Deuteronomy to read through before we get to the Jordan. I know it’s hard, but stick with me. One chapter at a time.

Here’s something I had forgotten in my last reading through the Bible. Not all of the Israelite choose to live across the Jordan. The tribes of Reuben and Gad decide to stay. Interestingly enough, their request is granted, as long as they pledge themselves to serve in battle alongside their fellow Israelites who are planning on crossing into the Promised Land. Once successful, they could return home. I guess, all in all, not a bad deal, but in my mind, all I can think is . . . where you are at, isn’t the land once promised to Abraham, Isaac, and their ancestors of old.

While we still have a long way to go, before Joshua leads the people across the Jordan. This is eventually where everyone is going to end up:

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: Numbers 33 – 34

Numbers 28 – Numbers 30

As the Israelites prepare to cross over the Jordan River, Moses (with God’s guidance) reminds the people of the festivals and celebrations that they are to hold. One that I took note of was the amount of detail in describing the eight day Festival of Tabernacles. Also known as the Festival of Booths, or the Sukkot. It is a celebration of the harvest, and it is quite a celebration at that. Numbers chapter 29 gives us plenty of details:

On the first day, sacrifice . . . thirteen bulls, two rams, fourteen lambs, and a male goat, along with various flours, oils, and spices.

On the second day, sacrifice . . . twelve bulls, two rams, fourteen lambs, and a male goat, along with various flours, oils, and spices.

On the third day, sacrifice . . . eleven bulls, two rams, fourteen lambs, and a male goat, along with various flours, oils, and spices.

On the fourth day, sacrifice . . . ten bulls, two rams, fourteen lambs, and a male goat, along with various flours, oils, and spices.

On the fifth day, sacrifice . . . nine bulls, two rams, fourteen lambs, and a male goat, along with various flours, oils, and spices.

On the sixth day, sacrifice . . . eight bulls, two rams, fourteen lambs, and a male goat, along with various flours, oils, and spices.

On the seventh day, sacrifice . . . seven bulls, two rams, fourteen lambs, and a male goat, along with various flours, oils, and spices.

On the eighth day, hold a closing assembly and sacrifice . . . one bull, one ram, seven lambs, and one male goat, along with various flours, oils, and spices.

That’s a lot of sacrifice! Of course, we have much to be thankful for as the Lord of Harvest has blessed us with more that we could ever desire or deserve. Yet, I will have to be honest, as I was reading through the list of sacrifices required, day after day, I couldn’t help but have “On the First day of Christmas . . . ” creep into my head. At least it gave me something to smile about as I finished my reading.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading, Numbers 31 – 32

Numbers – 23 – Numbers 25
Numbers 26 – Numbers 27

Balaam speaks! I love this part! He was hired to speak a curse on to the Israelites, and what happens instead? He speaks a blessing upon them.

Not once . . . but three different times.

Three different times Balak takes Balaam to a new location where the people of Israel can be seen in the distance. Each time he’s asked to curse the enemy. Filled with the Spirit, he cannot do such a thing. What an honor to speak the blessings of God!

If only we would be able to do the same! Oh wait, we can! We can always speak blessings. Think of how things might change if we simply took on the pledge to lift up God’s name in prayer, praise, and thanksgiving. Imagine, living according to the Second Commandment, not to take God’s name in vain. Imagine, a world where we no longer hear “Oh my G – O – D” used when we stub our toe, get excited, get ticked off, and on the list could go. Every time we speak it, every time we abuse it, every time we cry out in profane ways, we curse the name of God. Yet, we are called to something much greater. We are called to lift up God’s name in the most holy and precious of ways. For it is a name that is above all names. Balaam knew that. You and I know it. Now lets live like it!

Then we are onto the closing census. Much like the beginning of numbers, a census it taken at the end of their exile in the wilderness. Those forty years went fast didn’t they? As every head is counted, we realized that the Promised Land isn’t too far away. Don’t get too excited, we still have all of Deuteronomy yet to read as Moses gives his final speech to the people. But, the land flowing with milk and honey is coming soon! Hopefully, by the time we get there, we’ll have something good to say about our maker and redeemer!

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: Numbers 28 – 30