Hey, Guys! This week I’m starting a new walk with God through the book of, er, Deuteronomy. Okay, I know what you’re thinking. Who in their right mind would want to spend time in a book of the Bible that hardly ever gets a mention? Me, that’s who!
Why? Well I sort of had some encouragement from someone who died a long time ago. Believe it or not, Deuteronomy was the book Jesus quoted from the most during his ministry. Take a quick look at Matthew 4. You’ll remember that chapter as the one in which Jesus, after 40 days of fasting, is tempted by Satan. Satan tempted Jesus with food—“If you’re the son of God, turn these stones into bread” (verse 4). Jesus responded by quoting, and adapting, Deuteronomy 8:3. Jesus went on to do the same thing with Deuteronomy 6:16 and 6:13 in answer to Satan’s other two temptations. Jesus reached back to Deuteronomy on several other occasions too.
So what is it about this book that made Jesus like it so much? Perhaps it’s the fact that the name of the book means “The Second Legislation,” or “Second Law.” The law of God was first given to Moses and Israel when they left Egypt (Exodus 19 and 20). Jesus once said that He came to earth to fulfill the law, not abolish it (Matthew 5:17). What did He mean? Jesus was saying, “I came to show that the law of God can be obeyed. I came to show that the law of God is a copy of His character, which is love.” Get it? Love expressed through obedience—that’s what Jesus came to show us. This same message is at the heart of Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy is Moses’ farewell message to the children of Israel, just before they go over to the promised land of Canaan. Moses desperately wanted them to remember their promise to obey God’s law and keep his covenant with them. In a series of 4 sermons, he reminded them of the times when they had messed up and showed how God forgave and restored them. He told them the secrets to true prosperity, and the dangers of compromising with the world. BTW, If you’ve ever wanted to know the key to unlocking God’s blessings in your life, this is the book for you. The secret is out and it’s in Deuteronomy.
I dare you to take a walk through Deuteronomy with me. I for one can’t wait to see what Jesus saw in this great book. If it’s good for Jesus, it’s good for me. What about you?
Thought Questions:
1.) Has God ever brought up something from your past to remind you of how he has forgiven/taken care of/guided you? Give an example.
2.) What does God’s Law mean to you?
3.) Have you ever been surprised by a book of the Bible? Which? In what way?
