The passage I read was Deuteronomy 32:44-47
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2032:44-47&version=NIV
The verse that most stood out to me:
V47 They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”
As I reflect:
This passage starts off saying that Moses “spoke all the words of this song in the hearing of the people.” So naturally I wanted to go back 43 verses and read the whole song to get the gist of what is being communicated to Israel. And that sent me into the previous chapter to get the idea of where this song is coming from. The basic Idea is that God gave prophecy to Moses and Joshua regarding the future of Israel and their disobedience specifically in the way that they will one day go after other gods/idols. God told Moses to write this song and share it with them. I take that his song communicated (among other things) a warning using the past occurrences to Israel’s ancestors as an example of what not to do. The warning seemed to be mostly about how we respond to God and who he is to us, as well as not to follow after foreign gods/idols. Moses’ warning was a strong one emphasizing not only the importance of dedication to God, but also the punishments His wrath would bestow upon those who sought a higher power elsewhere.
That being the gist of the song, I moved on to v46 as Moses said to Israel “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law.
The Law being spoken of was the entirety of everything that had been taught to Moses and also to the Israelites from God up to this time. The complete law was written down for the first time and shared aloud by Moses before this people would enter into the Promised Land. Again from the previous chapter this information is shared.
He goes on in verse 47 to share what is perhaps the most impactful thing in this passage (at least for me). “They are not just idle words for you-they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”
What powerful words for all of us who claim to be followers of Christ. We can proclaim Jesus as our Savior and with our words tell people that His Holy Spirit is here with us working mightily in our lives… But we are not to speak idle words. Let us be a people of action whose lives (if even without a word) demonstrate precisely where our loyalties lie. If indeed we live by the Word of God, then it will be evident in our lives. I believe it to be of upmost importance to not only say that we are Christians, but to live in such a way that by our actions it is undeniable that we seek and follow after God. In this way may our relationship with Jesus be one that salts the oats so that other too may desire the same. May we teach our children and always remember the law has not been abolished and still has daily application as we live for the One that wrote it.
My response to the Lord:
Lord, I need your help to obey you. I am so fallible in my flesh. May you help me to strike a blow to my ever wondering flesh and cause it to be obedient to your word even as my spirit wills. May others (including my children) learn your words through my obedience and may they grow even as I too seek growth. In the Holy name of your Son Jesus Christ, I pray.
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