The sin of idolatry

 Christ in all the scriptures

Worship the Lord thy God, and Him only.....  Deuteronomy 4v14-24

It has been said by others that "Deuteronomy chapter 4 is "rich in moral and theological imperatives", and it is with this in mind we approach this study.  The section ends, "For the Lord our God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God"-4v24.   In His awesome being, He will brook no rival, and views any form of idolatry as demeaning to Him. The common concept of idolatry is of people bowing down to inanimate and animate objects, when God has clearly said that human beings are made in the image of God, therefore higher than any other creation on earth.  We shall discover that idolatry is much more widespread than that.  Idolatry in any form is prohibited to the people of God.

He begins with a solemn warning, "Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves..."; be very careful about this practice.  This warning is very relevant to us in the present day.  Moses pointed out, "for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb (Sinai) out of the midst of the fire".  God is spirit and He forbids any material representation.  He forbids making an image of anything, idolatry is a personal corruption.

"The similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female..."-4v16.

"The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, or any winged fowl -"-4v17.

"The likeness of anything that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth..."-4v18.

"And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them. and serve them..."-4v19.

Worship could actually be defined as "worth-ship", that is what value we place on someone or something.  Since the Lord above, the Supreme being, is higher than all, He alone is due our devotion above all else.  Idolatry, therefore, is undue devotion to that which is lesser than God.  Satan, the arch enemy of God and man, sought for himself the homage due alone to God, when he tempted Jesus to worship him in exchange for immediate world power (Matthew 4v9-10 ; Luke 4v7-8).  Jesus, (citing Deuteronomy 6v13-14) answer was authoritative, "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve".  This command came with a warning of God's wrath against any who disregarded this (6v15).  We live in God's world, by His pleasure; everything we have is from Him, who sustains all life. He, above everything else, is worth our devotion.

Idolatry, therefore, the practice of devoting ourselves to lesser than God, of substituting things or people instead of God, is a serious error which is wholly condemned throughout.  Idolatry is not limited to the worship of material idols; it encompasses anything that we place above our relationship with God.  This can include material possessions, spheres of influence, relationships, pursuits, celebrity figures, personal ambitions, which detract us from true worship of God who desires and demands our undivided devotion.  

What is true worship?  Jesus defined it to the lawyer who thought he could trap Him in His words Matthew 22v37-38, "Jesus said unto him, citing Deuteronomy 6v5, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart (emotion), and with all thy soul (will), and with all thy mind (intellect).  This is the first and great commandment".  In other words, devote yourself to God with your whole being, with everything you have.  This was given to Israel and is the standard for the whole world.  Each of us must determine what this will mean in our lives.  

Idolatry was a recurring theme in Israel.  From the worship of the golden calf in Exodus 32; to the idolatry in Moab during their wilderness wanderings; to the building of the "high places in the land during the reign of a few kings; to the travesty of abominations in the temple in Jerusalem, as reported in Ezekiel.  Their history was one of flirtation with idols contrary to the explicit commandment.  This diminished the glory of God among them, and brought chastisement upon them. 

Exodus 20v3/4  "Thou shalt have no other gods before me.  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth". 

Similar warnings are sounded in the church age.    

1st Corinthians 10v7, "Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them, as it is written, the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play....Wherefore my dearly beloved flee from idolatry".   This is in the context of sexual immorality.

Galatians 5v19-21 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelling, and such like...".  It is one of the practices of a fallen nature contrary to God.

Colossians 3v5, "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry".  Greed, the craving for what others have, is idolatry.  It focuses the eyes on created things rather than the Creator

1st John 5v21, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols".

Idolatry is an ever present danger to the people of God today.  It has to be recognised, and discarded fully and promptly.  Our Lord Jesus Christ was the perfect example of total devotion to God.  He loved the Lord with all His heart, soul, and mind; in perfection He loved His neighbour as Himself.  This is the Divine standard, which will be a reality when we "are conformed to the image of His Son".  Until then, let us flee idolatry in all its evil and illusory forms, and make the Lord above our true devotion. 

    

   

A special people

 Christ in all the scriptures

Israel a very special people   Deuteronomy 4v7-13

"And what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon Him for?"-Deuteronomy 4v7

It is no mere coincidence that, in the course of time, and down to the present day, the eyes of the world have been focused on Israel.  This is because they are God's chosen people.  This is not to say that God favours one people, or that Israel are better than other nations.  It is to say that this is the way God has chosen to bless the world.  His choice was entirely benign toward the world in general.  He raised up Israel, as a chemical analyst would do in a laboratory, taking a sample of humanity, to reveal the nature of the whole, and to provide a remedy for them.

God's plan to save the world

Following the rebellion of the nations at Babel, He called one man, through whom He would create a nation, through whom He would bless all nations of the world (read Genesis 11/12 and note especially 12v1-3).   This wonderful plan is repeated in Genesis 17v6-8; 18v18; 22v17-18, and so on, and confirmed in the gospel (God's good news to the world) in Romans 4v13-17.  Israel, therefore, are the benchmark of blessing or cursing from God.

Israel, "the apple of God's eye"

"Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine"-Exodus 19v5.

In reality, Israel did not obey Him, nor keep His covenant, but Jesus came and the covenant was ratified.  The God who knows the end from the beginning, knew this, and treated Israel as if they had obeyed.  Through Jesus, He will treat all people the same way.  We now understand the gracious proclamations concerning Israel, and prophecies concerning them.

"The Lord's portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of His inheritance.  He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; He led him about, He instructed him, He kept him a the apple of His eye"-Deuteronomy 32v9-10.

"For thus saith the Lord of hosts; after the glory hath He sent me unto the nations that spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye"-Zechariah 2v8.

Israel are very near and dear to God, and anyone who touches them have Almighty God to deal with.  History has already proved this, and the future will be no different.  This is not just a nice metaphor, this is a theological reality that will be enacted for good or bad.  They are, like all people, an imperfect people, but they are God's people, through whom He will bless the world.  At the judgment of the living nations in Matthew 25, the criterion for judgment will be the treatment of God's people (Matthew 25v31-46-note v32, for this will apply to all nations, and all individuals, concerning their attitude to Israel in the future.)  The lesson is obvious, hurt Israel, and you hurt God-refer Isaiah 63v9-and there will be retribution.  

We must learn the importance of being near to God.  The New Testament continues the theme to shew that Gentile nations have come under the same blessing.  Peter, writing to the elect of God, said, "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people (people of God's possession)..which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God, which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy"-1st Peter 2v9-10).  Paul to the Cretan believers in Titus 3v14, "Who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people zealous of good works".  

In the course of this present age, Israel has been temporarily cast aside through unbelief, and through them salvation has come to all nations.  It was Jesus who came as Saviour of the world, and He came from Israel (Romans 9v5).  It was the apostles of Christ from Israel who evangelised the world (e.g. Romans 15v16 and others).  Through the fall of Israel, salvation is come to the nations (Romans 11v11) with a remnant of Israel saved in the present time.  When the fulness of the nations is complete, Israel will return in glorious repentance and God's purpose for them will be fulfilled, "And so all Israel shall be saved, as it is written.  There shall come out of Zion the deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: for this is my covenant with them, when I will take away their sins"-Romans 11v26-27.  This explains a lot of what is happening today, but Israel will recover and take their place in the world as "head of nations", the nation God chose to bring salvation to the world

With great privilege, comes also great responsibility, and this is the point of Deuteronomy 4v7-13.  No nation on earth has been privileged as Israel has; this calls for reverence and obedience to the One who has called them.  The same is true of us, the people of God today. "Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they shall teach their children"-Deuteronomy 4v10.

May we understand how blessed we are in Christ, and rise to our responsibilities in the days of our lives He will give us.

Just do it!

 Christ in all the scriptures

Hearken and do!   Deuteronomy 4v1-6

The summing up of the verses is as follows: "Keep therefore and do them, for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of all nations..."-v6.

God has spoken; He is speaking through His word, what is to be our response?  When the Almighty speaks, the angels in His presence do His bidding; even the demon spirits know this.  They know that what He says will come to pass regardless of the passage of time.  We, human beings, are so slow to respond to His word.  We dare not gloss over these few verses, for they go to the heart of things...namely our attitude to the word of the living God, which is our attitude to God Himself.

Do not tamper with the word of God

He begins with a warning.  "Do not add to or diminish the word!"-4v2, it is God's word plus or minus nothing; the words of the eternal and all wise God need no embellishment from us.   The bible ends with the same warning, the warning of Jesus Himself, to the churches, and through them to the world, "For I testify to every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things that are written in this book."  This ratifies the warning of Moses to the people of Israel.  Jesus accused the leaders of Israel of tampering with God's word through their traditions, which had the effect of nullifying the word of God (refer Mark 7v13; there are good traditions, but those which conflict with the word of God are dangerous.  God's word is complete and authoritative; altering it distorts the message.  We are called to interpret it, not rewrite it to suit our delusions.  Paul wrote, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness...."2nd Timothy 3v16.  

Warnings against altering scripture are found throughout:

 Deuteronomy12v32, "What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it".  

Joshua 1v7, "Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand nor to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest".  

Proverbs 30v5-6, "Every word of God is pure: He is a shield to them that put their trust in Him.  Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar". 

It is the way of Satan to corrupt God's word.  His first appearance in scripture finds him questioning and distorting the word of God, "Hath God said...?  In the account of the temptation of Christ in Matthew 4 and Luke 4 he quotes (rather misquotes) Psalm 91v11/12; he omits from v11 "to keep thee in all thy ways"; then he adds in v12, "at any time", thus both adding to, and diminishing from the word and distorting its meaning.  In the same way his emissaries pervert God's word-Peter spoke of "wresting scripture"-2nd Peter 3v16; Paul in Galatians 1v7 of those who would "pervert the gospel of Christ"; The Lord accused the prophets in Jeremiah 23v36 of "perverting the words of the living God"; In Matthew 23v13-36 Jesus described the Pharisees of rank hypocrisy for their misinterpretation and misapplication of scripture.  In modern times, many who profess to know God have exalted the teachings of men to the same level as the word of God, and the effect has been to cancel the word of God. 

What is the answer?  In Isaiah chapter 66v1-4, God, speaking from heaven, and remonstrating with Israel, says in the face of their perverted ways, "To this man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word".  It is to abandon the words of men which conflict with the word of God, and our own thoughts, and humbly submit to Him.

Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves

So wrote the apostle James in chapter 1v21-27 0f his epistle.  There is a danger we can become sermon tasters, running around after our favourite speakers, treating them like spiritual celebrities.  All the while failing to make the living word live in us.

"Behold I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.  Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations"-4v6.

Keep them...do them...it is not enough to know them, the word of God must become practical in our lives.  This is the greatest wisdom, and the greatest testimony to the world in which we live and move. Jesus is our prime example, He was the embodiment of His teaching.  Luke described his gospel in Acts 1v1 as a "treatise of all that Jesus began to do and to teach".  Note DO AND TEACH!  Note also, He commissioned them in Acts 1v8, not only to witness to the world, but to BE WITNESSES UNTO ME! Betimes the emphasis is to witness by word of mouth, but the witness of a life is greater.  We've heard the worldly saying, "We can't hear what they are saying for seeing what they are doing".  Our lives, our loyalty to the Lord, must match our lips.  Testimony fails if we are only preaching and not practising.  How many times have we discovered gospel efforts failing because of the "bad report of them which are without? (refer 1st Timothy 3v7).  We must be witnesses of Him to others, that means represent Him to the unbelieving world.  This is the greatest testimony of all.

Jesus said, "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them".  The present world is crying out for Christians who are Christian in character.  This is in the gift of every one of us, to hear our neighbours, and our workmates say, he/she is a real Christian.  What do our family, our friends, our fellows think of Christ because of us.  Will they say, in the language of this chapter, "Surely these people are a wise and understanding people".  That is the greatest drawing power on earth, when others seek the Saviour because of you!  They want to follow Him, because they want to follow you.

Next we shall consider our special relationship with God.

Statutes and judgments Deuteronomy 4

 Christ in all the scriptures

Statutes and judgments   Deuteronomy 4

"Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you"-Deuteronomy 4v1.

Chapter 3 ended with victorious Israel "abiding at the valley near Beth-peor". It is a good place to be, in a lowly valley, following a notable victory.  Triumphalism is not for the people of God, but humble gratitude for His support.  They are now on the borders of the promised land, with no external force to hinder their advance.  

Their entrance into the promised land will establish them as God's society through whom He will bring blessing to all nations.  As such they must be subject to Divine standards, cited here as "statutes and judgments".  Elsewhere His standards are referred to as laws (blanket term "the law"), commandments, precepts, testimonies, and others.  There are multiple references to these in Psalm 119, and Psalm 19 gives the definition and effect of each.  It is useful to understand the different shades of meaning of the Divine communication.  

Statutes (22 occurrences in Psalm 119) are binding obligations, specific Divine decrees which apply to all His people in all generations.  Derived from the Hebrew meaning "hew", as in the carving of wood, or engraving of stone; a modern expression would be "set in stone".  Examples are the ten commandments, which are headings for the moral standard in association with God.  There are others of a ceremonial or civil nature, regulating the behaviour of the people of God.  Psalm 19v8 says, "The statutes of the Lord are right rejoicing the heart".  Far from being burdensome to us, they are right, and cause joy in the execution of them.  Consider them as signposts in the journey of life, regulating our behaviour.     

Judgments (23 in Psalm 119) are decisions/verdicts of the Almighty where two or more conflicting positions exist.  These are rooted in God's character; they are the decisions of an all wise God, applied to common human situations.  Psalm 19v9 defines His judgments as "true and righteous altogether"-true to His own holy character, and just to all mankind.  He never makes a wrong judgment.  When Jesus comes to judge the world, He is "faithful and true, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war"-Rev. 19v11.

Laws (the blanket term is "the law"-the Hebrew "Torah").  Cited 25 times in Psalm 119, this covers the entirety of God's self revelation, the didacte, the teaching.  Psalm 19v7 describes this as "perfect", that is without flaw, complete, entire, needing nothing added, unable to be improved upon.  It's effect on those submitting to it is to "convert the soul".  This is no set of man's opinions, this is a powerful life changing ray of divine light with permanent results.

Testimonies (10 times in Psalm 119)  This is God's word revealing what it says about Him.  The first reference to this in Genesis 21v30 is of that which is "a witness unto me".  It takes two to testify to anything, and God has numerous evidences of Himself.  Psalm 19v7 says, "The testimony of the Lord is sure..." it is absolutely dependable; the evidence, not only of His existence, but of His attributes, are overwhelming and without dispute.  The effect of this is to "make wise the simple", even the poorest intellect becomes wise in acceptance of it.

Precepts  (only in the Psalms, and 21 times in Psalm 119)   These are principles, coming from a root which means to oversee, or pay close attention to a matter.  It describes the way by which God operates, the particular instructions He lays down for every situation.  Precept's are more advisory than mandatory, communicated typically through teaching.  They become obligatory when we realise from whom they come.  Godliness assumes we act like God in a given situation,

Commandments  (22 times in Psalm 119)  The giving of orders from a superior to a subordinate, in this case from the Supreme Sovereign to His creatures.  Psalm 19v8 says "The commandment of the Lord is pure..." that is transparent, with no hidden meaning, and no alternative agenda.   The effect of it is to "enlighten the eyes".  The clear, crisp command of One who knows best has the effect of instructing our minds in His ways.  

God has made Himself known comprehensively, in statutes, in laws, in commandments, in precepts, in testimonies, in judgments; and our response to these will determine our well being.  The predominant words in the New Testament are commandments in various forms (over 100 times) and word (over 400 times). These cover all the aspects of the Old Testament words used to describe the revelation of God.  In both testaments God speaks in unmistakeable and precise ways, and He expects us to respond.  There is an error of thinking that because Christ fulfilled the law, there is no need for us to comply.  Apart from the obvious preposterous nature of such thinking, Paul makes it clear in Romans 8v1-4, that the purpose of the gospel was that "the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit".   God redeemed Israel to convert them to convert the nations.  He has done the same for us to make a difference just where we live.

Jesus commissioned the apostles, "Go... teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you"-Matthew 28v19/20.  These commandments are written in their New Testament writings, which are mandatory for us today.

The chapter unfolds as follows: 

4v1-6 A reminder of the importance of God's rule and the consequences of disobedience.

4v7-13 A reminder of the special relationship between God and His people.

4v14-24 A reminder of the dangers of idolatry.

4v25-40 The importance of communicating the character of God to future generations.

4v41-49 Occupation of the land east of Jordan.

There are lessons for us in each of these sections.

If God be for us...Deuteronomy 3

 Christ in all the scriptures

More than conquerors   Deuteronomy 3

Fresh from a notable victory against the Amorites, Israel faced another foe, even more battle hardened and resolute than Sihon king of Heshbon.  King Og of Bashan confronted them with his army as they journeyed by the city of Edrei.  He was the last of the Rephaim (these were giants in stature and possibly descended from the corruption of fallen angels with humans in Genesis 6).  His bed measured nine cubits by four (13 feet long by 6 feet wide in our terms).  Bashan is located in the northernmost part of Transjordan, east of the sea of Galilee, and is known for its fertile land and abundant resources.  Bounded by mount Hermon to the north, and Gilead to the south, the region included notable cities as Edrei, Ashtoreth, and Golan, which is recognised today as the Golan Heights, north of Israel.  Bashan is mentioned 60 times in scripture and is noted for its high hills (Psalm 68v15); its tall oaks (Isaiah 21v3 and Ezekiel 27v6 with Zechariah 11v2); plenteous fruits (Isaiah 33v9) strong cattle and lush growth (Deuteronomy 32v13-14, and Psalm 22v12); fatlings (Ezekiel 39v18 and Micah 7v14).  They were a cruel, unruly lot who oppressed the weak among them (Amos 4v1), and would fight to the end to protect their heritage.

And they did so, but it was all in vain for the Lord of earth and heaven was with Israel, and a total rout was the outcome.   Israel had become notable warriors in the hands of Almighty God..  Note the comments throughout the early verses:

"Fear him not; for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land into thy hand..."-3v2

"So the Lord our God delivered into our hands Og also, the king of Bashan, and all his people: and we smote him until none was left to him remaining, and we took all his cities at that time, there was not a city which we took not from them, threescore cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.  All these cities were fenced with high walls, gates, and bars; beside unwalled towns a great many"-3v3-5

"And we took at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites, the land that was on this side Jordan, from the river of Arnon unto mount Hermon.....All the cities of the plain, and all Gilead, and all Bashan unto Salchah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan"-3v8-10

This unlikely, but decisive, victory over a ruthless enemy, not only provided Israel with much needed resources, but ensured the neighbouring nations respected them.  The reversal of more than 400 years of exile was now a reality.  This marks them out as overcomers, and this is the plan of the Lord for His people in all generations.  He will not have us defeated through sloth or disobedience.  His people are on the victory side in all situations.  Paul wrote to the Corinthians in chapter 2v11-14, in the context of victory over the arch enemy Satan, "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place".

To the seven churches in Revelation 2/3, each letter ends with a promise to the overcomer-Rev. 2v7; 2v11; 2v17; 2v26; 3v5; 3v12; 3v21.  In Christ, all God's people are overcomers.    In Christ we can overcome the world (John 16v33, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world"; 1st John 5v4, "This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith"; in Christ we can overcome the flesh (Romans 7v23-25, "Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord"; in Christ we can overcome the devil (2nd Corinthians 2v14-already quoted; James 4v7, "Submit yourselves unto God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you".

We have three very identifiable enemies, the world, the flesh, and the devil.  Of ourselves we are no match for any of these, but in submission and obedience to Christ we can be victorious.  This is not to assert triumphalism, which is the hallmark of many false cults: it is to genuinely overcome in personal and corporate life in the strength of the Lord.

Paul summed up the triumph of Christianity in four rhetorical questions (questions that have obvious answers) in Romans 8v31-39:

"If God be for us, who can be against us?"   8v31

"Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? God who justifies?"  8v33

"Who is he that condemns?  Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us?"  8v34

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or sword?.....nay in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us"  8v35-37.

He goes on to say that the extremes of existence (neither death nor life); the extremes of spirit beings (nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers); the extremes of time (nor things present, nor things to come); the extremes of space (nor height, nor depth)..and beyond even that, NOR ANY OTHER CREATION, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord"  8v38-39.

Not triumphalism, but true spiritual triumph that will pervade all existence, and restore the cosmos from the chaos of ungodliness and unrighteousness.

Israel went on to inherit the lands taken: all the territory, taken from the Amorites, was given to the Reubenites and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh (3v12-17).  Long term this will culminate in Israel occupying the extremities of the land, and, from there ruling the world.  What seems an impossibility now will be a reality according to the promise of Almighty God.  He makes provision for the ongoing posterity of Israel by appointing Joshua as their new leader after Moses is gone (3v18-29).

 

God and the nations Deuteronomy 2-3

 Christ in all the scriptures

God and the nations   Deuteronomy 2-3

Deuteronomy chapters 1-3 review the forty years the nation of Israel spent in the wilderness, a kind of spiritual no man's land, where they wandered aimlessly with no end in sight.  Chapter 1 recounts their disobedience, with the severe consequences they suffered.  Chapters 2-3 recount their obedience in their march to the promised land.  In these we learn the ways of God with them and with all the nations around them.  Remembering that Israel's history has a bearing on the people of God today (Romans 15v4 and 1st Corinthians 10v6v11) there is much we can learn from a study which is mostly neglected.  The overriding principle is that God is active in this world, unseen, but very much involved as a faithful Creator.  "The most High ruleth in the kingdoms of men..."-Daniel 4v25.  What was true in ancient times is true today, and, despite the unbelief of many, the Lord our God rules in the affairs of all nations today.  What appears to be uncontrollable chaos is firmly in the hand of the eternal God, who has concerns for His creation as a whole, and also for His believing people.  A  look at how He ruled back then instructs us in His ways now.

The chapters are divided into the following sub-headings:

Don't meddle with Edom!    Deuteronomy 2v1-7   Edom, being descended from Esau, Jacob's twin brother, (Genesis 25v24-26) were close family.  Their history was one of bitter rivalry, that spiralled into hatred through the generations,  They grew apart, and, despite attempts at reconciliation, remain bitter enemies.  So bad was the attitude of Edom to Israel, they refused them safe passage through their land on the journey from Egypt to the promised land (Numbers 20v21).  In their circular wanderings Israel now had to pass by them again.  They were not to intimidate them, sponge from them, or take any part of their land.  "Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth. because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession".  We learn that all the lands of earth belong to the Lord, and He gives each portion as He will.  We need to understand that, "The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof, and they that dwell therein"-Psalm 24v1.  Regardless of Edom's bad behaviour toward His people Israel, nevertheless that land was theirs by Divine provision.  God is a faithful Creator and provides for all  Edom was close family to Israel, although their outlook was different.  Edom were materialistic and profane (Hebrews 12v16), and lived only for this life.

We pause for a moment; most families on earth have close relatives with different outlooks, and consequent tensions.  Some of a materialistic outlook may be more prosperous, yet it is the Lord who gives every one their portion in this life.  How are we to act toward them when they betray us or ignore us, or refuse to help us in our need?  This is most relevant to our modern day.  Hear what the Lord says to Israel: Don't meddle, don't interfere with their lives.  Trade with them, don't sponge from them, don't stir up past injustices.  Forty years you have travelled this wilderness without their help, and in all that time the Lord has provide all your needs.  In all that time you have lacked nothing-Deuteronomy 2v6-7.  Forgive them for past injustices, treat them with respect.  You are much more powerful than they, and they will be afraid of you, even suspicious of you (2v4).  Sadly, Edom as a whole will not change, as at the end of time they are the first nation to be judged when the Lord returns (Isaiah 63v1-4)

The powerful lesson is obvious: lands, possessions and persons are in the hands of the Sovereign Lord of all the earth.  Live and let live, be kind and forgiving and respectful.  God gives to all liberally; He forgives  sins and transgressions,  He makes His sun to shine on the evil and the good, and sends His rain on the just and the unjust"-Matthew 5v45.

Do not distress Moab!   Deuteronomy 2v8-15   The Moabites, were the descendants of Lot, the grandson of Abraham, the spiritual father of all Israel (Romans 4v12), and also the father of many nations (Romans 4v16).  Though not closest family, yet they were distant relatives.  Lot was describes as "righteous", even although he lived in Sodom, which came under the wrath of God (2nd Peter 2v7/8).  They were not to distress Moab, for the Lord had given them their land (v9-"I have given Ar unto the children of Lot for a possession".  Like Edom, Moab had to fight for their lands, and the Lord had given them victory over a mighty people of giants who had no right to be there (2v10-12-refer Genesis 14v5; Numbers 13v22).  These giants called the Anakims, or Emims, and Horims were produced by the copulation of fallen angels with women, as in Genesis chapter 6, and referred to in Jude's epistle v6.  God rid the earth of these hybrids through Edom and Moab, and gave them their land.  In passing by them, Israel were to respect them.  We learn from this that the Lord enables nations in conflict to achieve His will, and rewards the victors.  This is not a basis for creating wars, but men become an instrument of Divine justice.

Do not distress or meddle with Ammon!   Deuteronomy 2v16-23   The Ammonites, like the Moabites were the descendants of Lot.  The result of an incestuous relationship with their father Lot, following their escape from Sodom; nevertheless the Lord acknowledged them due to the fraught circumstances.  He used them to evict the hybrid people called the Zamzummims.  The Sovereign Lord, through the near and far relatives of Israel, eradicated the curse which had resulted in the global flood.  All people who blighted the earth in this ungodly union, including the Avims and the Caphtorims were destroyed thus purifying the earth from this perversion.  God gave the Ammonites their land, and it was to remain sacred to them.  The Lord had disciplined His people for 38 years, but as they marched to the promised land they were not to disturb the children of Esau, or of Lot.

The Lord gives the land of the Amorites to Israel in a stunning victory   Deut. 2v24-37

The Amorites were a different proposition.  God commanded Israel to take their land, "I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to go in and possess it, and contend with him in battle".   This was amazing, for Sihon was a seasoned campaigner, and Israel had been defeated in a minor skirmish.

We ask, what was this all about?  The Lord forbad Israel's interference in three nations, but commanded the overthrow of Sihon, king of the Amorites.  This goes back centuries to Genesis 15v13-16, when God decreed the 400 year enslavement of Israel in Egypt and the ultimate overthrow of the Amorites.  Back then He said, "The iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full".  Now it is full, and Israel became the instrument of God's judgment on the Amorites.  The time has come for the fulfilment of a 400 year prophecy, and nothing can stop the outcome.  Note the extent of the destruction in 2v33-34, "And the Lord our God delivered him (Sihon) before us; and we smote him, and his sons, and all his people.  And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed the men and the women, and the little ones, of every city, we left none to remain".  The present world, with its focus on human rights rather than human responsibilities, would be howling "genocide", but the Creator has the right to rid the world of iniquity, and He did, and He will.  We know not what was the iniquity of the Amorites, but it was such the Sovereign Lord would not tolerate.

We ponder the implications of this historical event, as it reveals the governmental dealings of God in this world,

God knows and declares the iniquity of all nations and all individuals.

God presides over the rise and fall of nations.

The passage of time does not alter His decrees.  The fall of the Amorites was predicted over 400 years before.

God allows nations and individuals time to repent of evil before Him.  The Amorites were given more than four centuries of time, how long have we been given?

God knows who will repent and who will not.  He will ultimately judge all sin and sinners.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding"-Proverbs 9v10.

In the present time the Lord Jesus Christ, the man the world crucified, is on the throne of heaven, and all judgment of nations and individuals is given to Him.  He declared to His disciples, "All power (authority) is given unto me in heaven and on earth..."-Matthew 28v18.  He, the man of Calvary, is "the Head of every principality and power"-Colossians 2v10.  He decides the rise and fall of nations and the eternal destiny of all individuals.  One day He will return to earth to set up His everlasting kingdom.  The advice of the Psalmist is powerful here, "Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little.  Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him"-Psalm 2v12.

Put your trust in Him now and be blessed.  The entire future. for all of us, is in His hands. for good or bad.

Honour the Lord your God Deuteronomy 1

 Christ in all the scriptures

"What doth the Lord require of thee?"   Deuteronomy 1

So ventured the prophet Micah to the erring nation (Micah 6v8).  His question was direct, and his answer just as direct, "Do justly, love mercy. walk humbly with thy God!"  Moses, who, according to the last chapter of this book, was closer to God than any other person, gives similar advice to the redeemed of the Lord. words of wisdom relevant for us today.  How should a people, in association with such a God, organise their lives?  What is to be our response to the eternal God, the great I AM, the supreme majesty in heaven, the most high, possessor of heaven and earth, the provider, the healer, the banner, the sanctifier, the peacemaker, the commander, the pastor, the saviour, the justifier, the ever present One?  In God's new society on earth, the house of God, church of the living God, pillar and foundation of the truth, how are we to conduct ourselves?  The answers are as relevant today as they were to ancient Israel.

1)  Impartiality in matters of judgment   Deuteronomy 1v9-18  Moses indicates the need for structured leadership, strong leadership, and fair leadership.  Structured, for the needs are many, and those fit to lead, "chief men, wise men and known 1v15 were recognised by all the people.  There were captains over thousands, over hundreds, over fifties and over tens, as well as officers (administrators) alongside.  Surely this resonates in the need for local bishops and deacons in each N/T church, as per 1st Timothy 3.  Today the head is in heaven, presiding over the body on earth.  There is no overriding headship on earth.  Strong leadership is required, as matters arising need to be dealt with, and not swept aside as is often the case.  Judgment (decisions on opposing positions) must be dealt with fairly and impartially

"Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him.  Ye shall not respect persons (faces) in judgment, but ye shall hear the small mas well as the great.  Ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the thing that is too hard for you, bring it unto me and I will hear it"  Deuteronomy 1v16-17

There has ever been a tendency to respect those of status in matters of judgment, and this is endemic in church life today.  God is no respecter of persons, as is stated no less than four times in the New Testament-Romans 2v11, Acts 10v34, Ephesians 6v9, Colossians 3v25.

The apostle James writes, "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, (or who is of glory) with respect of persons"-James 2v1.  This is so important in the community of saints, it needs some attention.  Indeed James says that to have respect of persons, to shew favouritism to one against another is a sin-2v6, "But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin and are convicted of the law as a transgressor".  In the community of God there should be none of it for it is contrary to God Himself.  The chapter gives the prime example, for even Moses was denied entrance to the promised land because of his rash behaviour when striking the rock in anger (Deuteronomy 1v37).

The bible is emphatic on this matter, there is to be no favouritism in the house of God, for it is contrary to the character of God.  

Leviticus 19v15, ""Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty, but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour".

Deuteronomy 10v17, "For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty and terrible (awesome), which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward".

2nd Chronicles 19v57, "And He set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city, and said to the judges, take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord who is with you in the judgment.  Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor of taking gifts".

Job 34v19, The Lord is described as, "Him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of His hands".

In 1st Timothy 5v17-21, in the context of church leadership, Paul writes, "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine...against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.      Them that sin rebuke before all that others may fear.  I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality". 

Churches can be destroyed, and the testimony of God weakened with weak leadership, and more so with corrupt leadership, and this matter is at the very heart of God's society.  Wrong appointments will result in bad practice and detract from the glory of the God we represent.  James' word, discouraging the clamour for leadership, is relevant here, "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive greater condemnation"-James 3v1.  Those who lead, (and it is a noble calling), must give account of their whole charge.

Partiality in judgment is serious; it is a sin of treating people based on their outward status rather than on their intrinsic worth before God.  Lives can be destroyed by ungodly judgment, in the cause of favouritism, whether to family, or friends, or those of social status.  None of us are lords, there is only one Lord in God's administration, and we serve under Him.

2) Courage in conflict   Deuteronomy 1v19-30

"Behold the Lord thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged -v21....The Lord your God which goeth before you, He shall fight for you, according to all that He did in Egypt before your eyes"-v30.

In the journey of faith through an unbelieving world, the saints will experience conflict.  For ancient Israel it was human conflict, for us today it is with unseen and formidable evil spirits.  Paul wrote, ""We wrestle not with flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places"-Ephesians 6v12.  On our own we are no match for them, and they are relentless in their opposition.  Their intention is to rob us of our Divine heritage, and come between us and our God.  The word is, "Fear not", the Lord is with you.

3) Discern the promptings of the Lord and trust Him at all times  Deuteronomy 1v31-46

The Lord loves His people (v31), and supports them no matter what.  However there are temporary consequences for disobedience and mistrust, as their history has proved.  He will remain faithful, even when we are unfaithful, but we may suffer bitter loss on the way.  Paul summed it up in 2nd Timothy 2v12/13, "If we deny Him, He also will deny us: if we believe not (are unfaithful) yet He abideth faithful, He cannot deny Himself".