Bible Connect (Week 12 Day 1)

(Bible Reader's Companion)

Reading 1- Deut 6-9

6 - Chapter 6 links closely to the prior section because God wants a response to His love. He wants His people to love Him with all their heart (verse 6). Moses understands this and wants Israel to realize it as well, and to pass this along to successive generations (verses 6-9, 20-25).

7 - Chapter 7 reveals the chief obstacle to Israel keeping covenant with God and loving Him as de- scribed in chapter 6: Canaanite idolatry. The ungodly people of Canaan would have to be removed, and God would do the fighting for Israel necessary to see this done (verses 18-24).

8 - Chapter 8 contains Moses’ appeal to the lessons of the wilderness wandering. Remember to trust in God (verse 3, cited by Jesus in Matt 4:4). Battle against pride that might cause you to forget God (verses 11-20). Notice that disobedience is defined as “forgetting God” (verse 11).

9 - In chapter 9 Moses mounts a strong warning against self righteousness. He reminds Israel their foes are greater than they are and so without God they couldn’t possibly conquer Canaan (verses 1-3), and that God is not doing this because Israel is so righteous (verses 4-5). The facts are, Moses then says, that Israel is not very righteous at all. He then recounts Israel’s failure at Sinai (verses 6-29). This history les- son continues into chapter 10.

� Reading 2 - Deut 10-14

10 - Chapter 10 accents God’s grace in renewing the covenant with a stubborn people, even selecting priests from a family famous for failing (verses 1-11). Israel must therefore serve the Lord with all their heart (verses 12, 16). Obedience to God, as always, is in their own best interest (verse 13).

11 - In chapter 11 Moses reminds the people what God can do, and that they have seen Him at work (verses 2-7). They must therefore choose the way of life and serve God and He will bless and protect them.

12-13 - Chapters 12-13 set forth laws concerning purity of worship. There was to be a central sanctu- ary to worship God, not many worship sites like the Canaanites used (Chapter 12). False prophets (13:1-5), friends deciding to do evil (13:6-11) and even whole cities (13:12-18) might challenge right worship with temptations to idolatry. All such evil must be stamped out.

14 - Chapter 14 separates Israelite ways from Canaanite ways. Israel would not mourn like pagans did (verses 1-2), and their diet would be different as well (verses 3-20). The boiling of a goat in its mother’s milk is believed to be a pagan fertility rite (verse 21). The chapter ends with provisions made for the sup- port of the Levites scattered throughout Israel in their respective cities. They would be cared for with the tithe (verse 27).

� Reading 3 - Deut 15-18

15 - Chapter 15 gives us more of the regulation of day to day life in Israel. Note the strong emphasis on brotherhood in Israel, with the stronger helping the weaker. Verse 9 is key. God knows the intent of our hearts! There simply would be no need to be tight-fisted (note verse 11) for the Lord would bless them be- yond their imagination.

16 - Chapter 16 sets out the regulations of the major festivals and feasts (verses 1-17) and then follows it with material on Israel’s justice system that will extend into the next chapter.

17 - Chapter 17 continues the discussion of justice in Israel by detailing what to do with apostates (verses 1-7) and how to set up central tribunals (verses 8-13). Observe carefully the respect due these courts. The chapter then makes provision for a king (verses 14-20). Some have argued that Israel sinned by asking for a king in 1 Samuel 8 but these laws show how Israel was not wrong in requesting a king. The trouble in Samuel is the kind of king wanted. If the requirements given here are followed the real king would be Jehovah. The earthly king would simply be a man depending on God, not wealth or his large army.

18 - Chapter 18 gives important information about revelations from God (verses 9-22). A word from God would not come through fortune tellers or magic (verses 9-14), and all such practices are thoroughly forbidden. God will speak through prophets (verses 15-22). Jesus is the final expression of verse 18 (see Acts 3:22). The test of a prophet is given in verses 20-22, but we do well to remember the other test given in chapter 13:1-5. Even if the word of a prophet comes to pass (meeting the test of chapter 18) he is not to be believed if he teaches something contrary to the already revealed will of God.

7 - Once again we find a Gentile accent in Luke (see verse 9). Many have wondered if John the Baptist had real doubts in verse 20 or if he was only making an opportunity for two disciples to meet Jesus. Yet there seems to be little reason to doubt that John was doubting! Jesus was not doing what many thought the Messiah would do. In Jesus’ answer He reminds John of what Isaiah prophesied the Messiah would be about (see verses 22-23). Jesus didn’t do just any miracles but the prophesied works of the Messiah. The scene of verse 36 is a little bizarre for us but customs in that day had everyone reclining at table. Further, it was not uncommon for people to come and go when a famous person was being entertained for a meal. The guests ate but it was perfectly acceptable to come in and sit along the wall, watch and listen to the din- ner conversation.