Scripture: You have declared today that the Lord is your God, and that you will walk in his ways, and keep his statutes and his commandments and his rules, and will obey his voice. And the Lord has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession, as he has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments. Deuteronomy 27:17-18
Observation: In summarizing the covenant between God and the Israelites, Moses says this plainly - The people declare the Lord is their God and they will obey him, and the Lord declares that Israel is his people. These promises are always two-ways.
However, when people break their side of the bargain, God still doesn't. Then the people of Israel eventually turn away from God and break the laws, God guides them, corrects them, and punishes them, but he never fully rejects them. Even arguably now, when as a people they rejected Jesus and he broke up their country, God has kept a special plan for Israel.
Application: This is all pretty basic - our deal with God is two-way, too. We believe in Jesus, and he redeems us for eternal life in heaven. There are "rules" that come with that, but when we break the rules, Jesus forgives us, and we continue to receive his promise.
And again I see that the very basic things of the old testament complete apply to Jesus. All the components of the law teach us about the need for a savior, and the promises, rules, and rituals all create the framework to prove Jesus as the Messiah. Even the summary of God's covenant promise echoes of his covenant promise through Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, your wisdom is far beyond mine. I cannot even think deeply on this today because this is so simple, yet I know your amazing wisdom goes deeper than I can comprehend. Please forgive me of my sins and transgressions, and help me repent of those things in my life that are 'of the flesh'. I seek your will and your ways. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment