23 If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; 24 and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.". The lawyer is interested in finding a way that he can work his own salvation out by himself. Deuteronomy 22:5 and 1 Corinthians 11:3-16 (wearing a veil) make it clear that men and women are not to purposely cross-dress. The church has no homeland except heaven and eventually the new earth. We need to remember that obedience to God leads to life, while disobedience leads to death (v. 46-68). Your email address will not be published. 9. Tweet. What does it mean that the secret things belong to the Lord (Deuteronomy 29:29)? 28 is specifically about the covenant relationship between God and Israel. There are certainly principles in that passage that show that any nation who thumbs its nose at God and goes into idolatry will be judged. Their crops will fail, their flocks and herds will dwindle, and they will be cursed with few children. We, both as individuals and collectives find times and seasons of apparent fullness and lack, opportunity and trial- that it can seem that we are very blessed or not at all. We experience His peace and joy, our relationship with Him grows deeper, and we are able to impact those around us for His kingdom. The obligation not to murder is universal and should be in any law. But that is the good news. Third, even though Moses predicts the future rebellion of this new generation and their children, he holds out hope, not due to them, but solely due to Gods unilateral action to redeem. Israels being chosen did not secure their salvation. Somehow, there seems to be a choice that is up to us, something or someone is knocking at the door with a message and a reason for our survival. "Romans 7 talks about the Jesus of the law and Christ of the New Testament, the resurrected one", This is the Christ that represented the law in his, Another One, not the One that died in his BODY being representative of the law, The One who is not after the body of the One that died to the law in his body, this is, the resurrected One and not the same as the one represented in the law because that One is already DEAD, Deuteronomy 28 Is Not For Christians; Ephesians 1:3 Is Our Key To Blessings, Scriptures Expounded: About Wet Dreams And Human Wastes - Deuteronomy 23:10-14. The Puritan Board is a forum dedicated to the discussion of Christian theology in a Confessionally Reformed context. The astronauts flying a space shuttle mission endure days of preflight preparation. Through Moses instruction, Deuteronomy also describes the future of the nation, which later biblical authors use as a template to interpret Israels history and to hold out hope for a new and better covenant (see e.g., Deut 29-30). God told Moses he was pleased when the Israelites obeyed him because they wanted to, not because they had to. Deuteronomy 28:1 English Standard Version Blessings for Obedience 28 "And qif you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you rhigh above all the nations of the earth. We will also be blessed materially, with good health, financial stability, and strong relationships. There has probably been a moment or two in 40 years that maybe Id love my neighbor as myself, but most of the time, no. Share Improve this answer Follow answered May 24, 2022 at 21:53 conceptualinertia 1,112 10 16 Add a comment Well, in view of what Christ has done in the New Testament, we make at least two changes. We have the commands against homosexuality in Corinthians and Romans, so it becomes clear that this is a universal and it is not just simply a provision of the Old Testament Law, while the punishment is limited to that old system and not applicable in the New Testament. For hundred of years we have been a people without our rightful identity. + 2 All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, + because you keep listening to the voice of Jehovah King Solomon, for example, was very successful at first. The short answer is, "No." Moses warned the Israelites about staying away from prostitutes because immoral sex was strictly forbidden by God's law. 28 If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. The book of Psalms is the longest book in the Bible. If Beeke actually lists it as his #1 commentary, as you claim, I'd have to say that's a pretty poor choice, since it technically is not a commentary. But Did He Also Write Chapter 34? Job was a very rich man, and although he did not belong to the people of Israel, he worshiped the Lord and was a truly good person. If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14). How does he expect me to respond?". In the storyline of Scripture, Israel was privileged to be in this position, not because they were better or more numerous than the nations (Deut 7:7), but solely due to Gods sovereign choice and his covenant loyalty to Abraham (Ex 19:4; Deut 7:8). They had to keep the terms of the covenant. You are using an out of date browser. Deuteronomy 28:15-68 is a powerful passage that contains a lot of practical applications for our lives today. In other words, when step one says that we are heirs of all the promises, we have to take into account that those promises may be fulfilled differently today because of the changes that have come into history through the words and the work of Jesus. 1. 17:14-20 ). 6, God gives Moses instructions to give to Israel. Having the proper attitude helps keep us from becoming greedy and selfish. Indeed, at the end of the chapter, it says people in other cultures practiced these things and they were judged for them. Just as one finds curses for disobedience in the Old Testament and Book of Mormon, Deuteronomy 28 contains a list of blessings that Israel would receive when they were obedient. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 4. I think the 'specifics' mentioned such as v8b and v68 show us that this passage is primarily directed towards OT Israel. . Second, we need to obey Gods commandments and keep His covenant. Aside from that, though, God's people should have an attitude of wantings to help others instead of trying to take advantage of someone else's loss. It's all a lot for a simple guy like myself to digest. The Mosaic Law of the Old Testament was written for the chosen people of Israel. It is the manual for life! When we chose to believe in God, we are also given a fresh start. Sometimes it should be recognized that exegetical and hermeneutical practice have made some good advances that have built upon the understanding of 16th/17th century methods. We are not blessed because we do this or that in the New Testament, we are blessed because Christ already took away the curse of the law and we are ONLY left with blessings. 1. Christians are the chosen in the sense that those who are in Christ, putting their trust in Him, are the ones that benefited from that plan of salvation God was working out through Israel. 2021 16 Mar. What benefit or dangers may there be in carrying over meaning from Israel to these other modern day audiences? No. Deuteronomy 28 is a chapter in the Bible that describes the blessings and curses that will come to the people of Israel if they obey or disobey Gods commands. He, however, has never broken a promise to his people. And the second curse is for those who break Gods covenant. Popular Bible Quotations For Memorization And Meditation Deuteronomy 31:8, Re: Deuteronomy 28 Is Not For Christians; Ephesians 1:3 Is Our Key To Blessings, About The High Rate Of Extramarital Sexual Affairs Today. It was based on their obedience. Universal moral obligations from the Mosaic Law are repeated in the New Testament. Second, it shows us the power of Gods curse. We need to have faith in God, even when we face difficult circumstances (v. 37-39). God dealt with Adam and Eve in one way, and He dealt with the Jews through Abraham with a different plan. On the other hand, the Israelites had promised to obey God. God doesn't make us obey him - it is our choice. He promises to remove the curse if the Israelites obey Him, and He is faithful to His promises. We are in a different state now. What does it mean that you are the head and not the tail in Deuteronomy 28:13? No matter how much we give back to God, we should give it joyfully and thankfully. The two laws are completely different, so the way they apply to us are different. No doubt, it was very easy to be lured into practices that appeared to be harmless on the surface but were deadly in the end. Fine, but having skimmed the longish introduction where Jordan tries to make his case is already a strike against it for me. Upon condition that they observe and do all his commandments (and in order to obedience there is need of observation) and that they keep the commandments of God ( v. 9) and walk in his ways. We have to distinguish between these as we consider how we relate to the Mosaic covenant now. Mar 2, 2023: When we make mistakes, the enemy wants us to feel miserable.but God wants us to bounce back. For God to say to any people: "I am your God and you are my people" is the very reason and purpose for our existence as God's image-bearers. We are told that if we do not trust in Him, then we will not be blessed. Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers. However, if they disobey the Lord, they will be curse in every way. It is easy to think that our hard work and ingenuity have gotten us where we are. Both versions allot six days for laboring (Exodus 20:9; Deuteronomy 5:13). Only God cannot be shaken when the earth seems to crumble beneath us. In our own lives, we are subject to the same reveal of God. How can we discern if warnings or promises directed towards Israel are applicable to other nations, the body of Christ in the global church, or even to ourselves as individuals? One way to know that is to see how its worded. Gentiles were never under the old contract. God granted Canaan to the Israelites and instructed them to take ownership of it. The "curse of the law" is not the curses found in Deuteronomy 28 that was specifically for the nation Israel in the Mosaic Covenant. i. All the commands in the Old Testament are obsolete. Hes saying that this sums up the obligation of the Old Testament Law. The New Covenant is based on grace, not obedience. Does that mean since Im not in California its okay for me to murder in Ohio? There is a unique kind of plan that He has in the new covenant that's expressed through Jesus and what He did on the cross. Our respectful behavior sets a good example for others. Do we try to build status elsewhere? How much we give to God is not what matters. This was Jesuspoint. When we think about the Old Testament, we often think of it as a book that contains a lot of laws and regulations. So we are obligated to follow those moral rules, not in virtue of them being in the Mosaic law, but because they are universal for all people. There is no greater privilege for humans than to know, love, obey, and serve our glorious covenant Lord. Moses knew that he was about to die, so before he left the people he blessed them. I have been unable until now to address the issue of the relationship between the Old Covenant and the Christian. They seem to be universals and are therefore in the New Testament. The message inherent in The Promise of God is that when we obey His command to put Him first (to set Him high, above all other things in our lives and treasure Him as our first cause, our Creator) then the blessings in our lives will become so powerful that they will overtake us. Moses warned the Israelites about the false prophets who would encourage them to worship other gods and idols. He's the true king, who did not capitulate to the compromises of sin (contrast, for example, Solomon in 1 Kings 11 in light of Deut. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever because He is God. Others may be trying to trick us. 28 be applied to the United States? Best Answer. The aim of The BELOVED is to awaken Christian Unity, embolden Fellowship and inspire Hope. 7. Now here is the second step. We need to be reminded of that same truth many times today. When we disobey Him, we open ourselves up to His curse. how far can a duck . So, that is step one. Does he hate some people and love others? Once again, this is something that we should all avoid. Its exactly like being in a separate state. Deu 25:1-4. Part of it was in response to the Jews. Not only do them for once, but keep them for ever; not only set out in his ways, but walk in them to the end. For instance, the first blessing is for those who obey Gods commandments. Some people may be deceiving themselves. 3. Confronting an enemy always causes a certain amount of fear, but with God, on our side, we can be confident of victory. In fact, one of the purposed effects of giving the law to Israel was to reveal and intensify sinto show us clearly that apart from Gods grace and provision, we cannot change our hearts (Deut 30:6; cf. Israel is called to be an obedient son, yet they have failed and will fail. We are dedicated to our historic Creeds and Confessions because we believe they are faithful to the Scriptures. He can make plans and play things out so that certain things apply in some cases and dont apply later, though His purpose is constant and unchanging. 3. Jesus says, you dont have to worry about the rest of the commandments if you can fulfill these: Love your God with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself. 12 If he is a poor man, you shall not sleep with his pledge. Jeremiah 29:11 is often quoted and printed on images and materials as a source of inspiration and comfort. And let me give you one more example, because he asked about it. First and foremost, we need to realize that the Old Testament is still relevant to us today. The passage also includes a promise from God that these curses will be removed if the Israelites obey Him. But he turned away from God after he had accumulated great wealth and built a huge army. the name Deuteronomy means '2nd law' and is practical in application and is actually a review of the law before the Israelites enter 'the promised land'. Jesus didn't invent a new ethic of nonviolence. They were Gods instruments to accomplish a plan of rescue for the world: God becoming man as a member of the Jewish race and dying on the cross for mans crimes against God. Deuteronomy 31:6. The covenant God made with Israel contained three major features: Thelaw, thesacrifice, and thechoice. He also requires us to be good caretakers of what we have been given. Deuteronomy is like a preflight check-list for one of the most important adventures in biblical history. In Deuteronomy 28:1-13, God tells the Israelites that He would reward their obedience by giving them children, crops, livestock, and victory over their enemies, but He also tacks on fifty-four more verses describing the curses that would come upon the nation if they didn't obey Himincluding diseases, heat and drought, military defeat, boils, No human being could break a curse pronounced by God; he could only submit to it and repent under it. We need to be humble before God and remember His goodness to us (v. 33-36). Deuteronomy 28:1-2: What is this requiring? What are the results of disobedience to the laws (commands in the old and new testament) of God? For example, love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself are in both the Old and New Testaments. Read more Explain verse Share Copy Show footnotes A A In either case, it was a new start for the people. If we are no longer under the Sinai covenant, how do we apply the blessings and curses of Deuteronomy 28 to believers today? That is my understanding of Romans 11. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. can certainly apply to us today. This article aimed to highlight the similarities between EST 56 and Deuteronomy 28 as regards syntax and vocabulary, interpret the previously unknown curses that astoundingly invoke deities. We still must live with the consequences of that sin, though. In fact, given sins entrance into the world, Israels role in the world was not only to be the nation by which Messiah would come and reverse the effects of sin and death (see Gen 3:15; 12:1-3); they were also called to live as Adam and the entire human race was supposed to liveas obedient sons (Ex 4:22-23) and servant kingsin relationship to the Lord and the entire creation. He will also cause us to fail in everything we try to do. 4 That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. Now, I think that means that in union with Christ, the Messiah, Christians become the heirs of all the promises in the Old Testament. God's command to destroy these nations was his judgment upon them for the wicked things they had done for many years. He shall be forgiven. So, forgiveness is offered through the offering of a ram, and nowadays now, since Jesus he has replaced the work of that priest and the offering of that ram. It doesnt mean that. I recognize this and know the error. [17] The promises of it, in like manner, show them God's approbation of obedience,and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof:[18]. If youre seeking to justify yourself, then you have to treat your neighbor this way, and youre not going to be able to consistently treat your neighbor this way. This remind of when I was in school(primaryschool) my mum always told me if you do well at school and pass all your exams I will buy new dress and special food only for me,and those things she promised to give will entice me and I will put more effort in my study, I thought to myself the creator of heaven and earth the all knowing God, he that exists before every other thing were created promised us all these blessings, and I started thing living life without stress, depress,no sickness, etc,and said prayer asking God to give me Grace to stay under his law and commandments, my heart fill with joy and hope,..GLORY TO HE THAT NEVER FAIL. We put our confidence in Him, so we are chosen regarding salvation. This allows us to answer a lot of challenges that people might make regarding the old law. God took them out of the land, He rescued them, and they were obligated to Him as their Sovereign. We need to rely on His strength and not our own. For now, a single person can expect to receive an average of $197 a . Another way is to see if the same kinds of directives come up in the New Testament where the Mosaic Law is not operating. They say it looks like were picking and choosing the Old Testament Law because were against homosexuality, but we dont follow these other details. A. Here is another example. Under the law of Moses the Gentiles can never be saved. The Mosaic Law contained some universal moral principles that apply today because they transcend the old law, but arent applied in the same way judicially. Deuteronomy 28: 1 "Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. Is it an over-simplification to say that the passages are directed toward a specific covenant God made with (ethnic) Israel but the principles contained therein have application to us today? To put an honour upon the sabbatical year: Because it is called the Lord's release, Deuteronomy 15:2; Deuteronomy 15:2. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Deuteronomy 21:10-14 gives a law about divorce. It is my prayer that the various articles and contributions in this issue of SBJT will lead us to a greater understanding of Deuteronomy and a renewed appreciation for our Lord Jesus Christ, the one whom the message of Deuteronomy ultimately points. They served their purpose for the carnal, physical nation of Israel, but they have been superseded by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ Who has opened a new way to God the Father, based on personal responsibility and . As he says when kicking off his Sermon on the Mount, he didn't come to abolish the law but to show its fullest sense. Sometimes the curse or judgment was pronounced by the servant of God as in Deuteronomy 27-28. 5, and now in ch. As Christians, we are called to obey Gods commands. For God to say to any people: I am your God and you are my people is the very reason and purpose for our existence as Gods image-bearers. That includes the prefatory material and its interpretation of the sermons. Learn how to stand up to the enemy and enjoy your life! Deuteronomy 8 - A Warning Against Pride A. God's work of building humility in Israel during the wilderness wanderings. But Deut. In all these ways, Deuteronomy is a Gospel book and required reading for Gods people today. If we obey God today, we can expect similar blessings in our lives. 2 All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: 3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. 10 " When you make your neighbor a loan of any sort, you shall not enter his house to take his pledge. They hesitated and by staying outside of the land, they were not obeying God's instructions. I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day Should they be guilty of such a sin, since they were so strongly and publicly cautioned against it; and even the heaven and the earth were called upon as witnesses of the law being set before them, which so expressly forbids it, ( Deuteronomy 30:19) that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto you go Today, we do not live under the Mosaic covenant. 2. First, my people if my people the people are no longer merely the Jewish, ethnic people of God, but the blood-bought people of the Messiah united to him by faith. My bad -- technically he preaches on Deut 28:1-34 and 45-63. As a result, each of them experienced a downhill slide. The verse reads: "'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope," ( Jeremiah 29:11 ). It is not a curse causeless, or for some light cause. the covenant nation of God? Watch on. That the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth: Therefore, if Israel would obey the LORD, He wouldsetthemhigh above all nations of the earth, and the blessings would be so powerful that they wouldcome upon you and overtake you. 22 "You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. The head is the leader, the one who . These xtian fellas keep shooting themselves in d leg..that is all I can say if you deeply understand the post.. Andif you faithfully obey the voice of theLordyour God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, theLordyour God will set youhigh above all the nations of the earth. 13 When the sun goes down you shall surely return the pledge to him, that he . 1 # Short Commentary & Lesson from Deuteronomy 1. On an individual level, we can expect to be blessed with a clear conscience, a sense of Gods presence, and joy in our daily lives. Moses reminded the Israelites that the same God who had rescued them from slavery in Egypt could help them defeat an enemy, no matter how strong their opponent was. In truth, it is a Gospel book which describes beautifully the covenant relationship between Yahweh and his people, the deep and abiding problem of the human heart, and the only remedy for uncircumcised hearts, namely, Gods sovereign and gracious action to redeem by the provision of a greater and better Israel, the true obedient Son and servant King. Editorial: Reading Deuteronomy for Gods People Today. Positioned strategically at the end of the Pentateuch, concluding the incredible life and ministry of Moses, renewing and expanding the Sinai covenant for the post-wilderness generation, Deuteronomy serves as the covenant instruction (torah) for a new generation posed to enter the Promised Land. 14-16 of Institutes published before Calvin preached on Deuteronomy and it remains present in his Commentary on the Four Last Books of Moses, written and published after Calvin preached on Deuteronomy. The list of curses in this passage is exhaustive, and demonstrates the severity of Gods curse. Deuteronomy emphasizes the heart and feeling of the lawto love God with all your being and your neighbor as yourself. Then he warned them about the extreme dangers associated with deviating from the plan. His blessings are poured out on us abundantly, and we enjoy His favour and protection. His command was also a dramatic warning to the nation of Israel that God's people should beware of being overcome by the evil practices of their enemies. We need to be careful to not take God's blessings for granted (v. 17-19). He said that dividing wall has been torn down now so that the Jews and Gentiles can be combined into one new man on the New Covenant having been built on the foundation of the prophets and apostles in Christ Jesus the cornerstone. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God: a. The name "Genesis" comes from a Greek word meaning "beginning." We will not be able to escape them! The LORD had Moses instruct the Israelites that every man must attend the three special, religious festivals every year. What Does The Bible Say About Tattoos / Body Piercings? Oh yes, I forgot to mention, I wouldn't trust any editing job on Calvin's sermons that was done by a theonomist with the specific intent of proving that Calvin himself was in fact a theonomist. As a literary form, this chapter is similar to ancient treaties between a king and his people; this is God the King, making a covenant with His people, Israel. We should think again! Now, how do Christians embrace and apply this today? I cannot justify myself, Greg Koukl, based on the demands of those simple commandments. Many of those Jews took advantage of the mercy offered through that plan, and many went wayward. Even though Christians are not under the law-covenant as a covenant, we need to be reminded of the incredible privilege it is to be Gods covenant people and take seriously Pauls admonition that all Scripture, including Deuteronomy, is for our instruction and admonition (2 Tim 3:15-17). In the New Testament, God doesn't bless us because of what we do but because of our faith in Christ and His finished works. It is meant to be a further burden on anyone that is seeking to justify himself, which is the case for the person who asked the question. A podcast listener, Joe from Boston, writes in with this question: Pastor John, I often struggle to interpret and apply portions of the Old Testament (specifically the prophetic books) where the word of God was being spoken to Gods people as the nation of Israel. They are conditional on our obedience to God. In the New Testament, God doesn't bless us because of what we do but because of our faith in Christ and His finished works. Thank you for this brief but important rudiment of the simplicity of the gospel of Christ . Do not ever think that God is too kind to do anything about sin. Heb 2:5-18; 7-10). Deuteronomy 28 listed blessings and curses for by being obedience or disobedience and says do this (obey) or do that (disobey) and God does this (bless) or that (curse) - that's the religion of the law of Moses. And just as the LORD told the Israelites that he would notice if they did "the right thing," he notices us when we do the right thing. What things can draw you away from the fundamentalvalues of life? It is important for us to understand that God's love for us never ends. being referred to and other "gotcha" laws which might be mentioned fall into one of the first two bins and no longer apply to us today. Moses Wrote The Book Of Deuteronomy. God did punish the people several times for their disobedience, but he always remained faithful to them. No doubt, we have to apply carefully the old covenant to us in light of Christ, yet we must never forget that it is applicable to us as Scripture and thus we need to learn anew what God is teaching us today through this wonderful book. God changes a lot of different things. God took them out of the land, He rescued them, and they were obligated to Him as their Sovereign. All rights reserved. In this regard, Deuteronomys exposition of the law-covenant must be viewed as wholly positive: torah from the living covenant Lord who speaks and relates to his people on how to live life in the land and know Gods blessing in their lives and in all of their relationships. He is author of. All the rules, regulations, preparation and sacrifices are meant to translate for us to the most realistic form what is at stake to be as holy as God.
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