Remember!: Deuteronomy 7-9 (1)

Opening Prayer: Psalm 23.1, 2
The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.

Psalm 23.1, 2
(The Gift of Love: Thou I May Speak with Bravest Fire)
Because the Lord my Shepherd is
I shall not want, for I am His!
He makes me lie in pastures full;
I rest in Him by waters still.

Today’s Text: Deuteronomy 7.1-11

Preparation
1. Why was Israel supposed to destroy the peoples in the land?

2. Why did God choose Israel?

Meditation
This passage is important because it destroys a myth common among many who profess faith in Christ, but who have turned their backs on the Old Testament because of the difficulties they encounter in reading it. All that violence and killing. All those commandments and proscriptions. Those threats of wrath. Some even go so far as to say that the God of the Old Testament was a stern and wrathful taskmaster, while the God of the New Testament as embodied in Jesus, is all about love.

This passage dashes that myth to pieces, for it shows us that the God Who planned the destruction of Israel’s enemies, and threatened to discipline His people should they stray from Him, is the God Who loved them from all eternity past.

Who were these peoples mentioned in verses 1-5? They were the descendants of Noah. Presumably, at least at some point in their history, they would have heard of how God had destroyed the sinful world through a flood. The lingering evidence of flood stories in ancient cultures around the world today is evidence of that. They also would have known Abraham, and the covenant God had made with him. They would have known that they could find favor and blessing with God by blessing the people He sent to bless them. At some point in their histories, they would have known all this.

But at some point they chose to repudiate it all, to make up gods to allay their fears and satisfy their lusts, and to devise religious ceremonies involving human sacrifice, the infliction of self-harm, and indulgence in sexual license; and they would have routinely either been set upon by or would have set upon neighboring nations for the purpose of plunder, dispossession, slaughter, and genocide.

In short, the nations mentioned here were not without revelation from God, even the revelation that comes through creation (Rom. 1.18-32). But they chose not to receive it, not to seek God, and not to follow the example of the people who knew Him. They chose a path of wickedness, violence, and oppression. And God had had enough of them and their ways.

He warned Israel against sparing or mingling with them. Then He reminded them of who they were – a holy people unto the Lord – and of Who He is – the God Who set His love on them, to keep and continue the covenant He made with their fathers. He is the loving, faithful, merciful, covenant-keeping God Who blesses His faithful people “for a thousand generations” of those who keep covenant with Him. But He destroys those who, like the nations of Canaan, hate Him, turn from Him, and think their own ways and laws are more to be desired than His (vv. 9-11).

Remember that you are loved. And remember to love in return.

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge. Rebuke is more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows on a fool” (Prov. 19.20, 17.10). “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten” (Rev. 3.19). God was trying to teach His dear children about obedience, and about the consequences of disobedience. He hoped that they would learn by watching what happened to the people who had fallen into disfavor with Him. We, too, should look around, become wary, seek understanding, discern knowledge, and observe the commandments. And remember that we are loved!

Reflection
1. Why were the people of God not to mingle with the people of the surrounding nations?

2. What does it mean to be “a holy people unto the Lord”?

3. How would you expect to hear a rebuke from God? What should you do then?

The fear of the Lord includes awe for His greatness and holiness, love for Him, and submission to His will. Initially, the fear of God may involve fright. Yet it leads to a sense of wonder, a commitment to worship, and delight in knowing God. Earl Radmacher (1931-2014) NKJV Study Bible Notes on Deuteronomy 6.2

Let Your Word dwell in me richly today, Lord, so that I…

Closing Prayer: Psalm 23.3-6
Meditate on the many ways your Good Shepherd loves and cares for you. Commit your day to following Him in the path He has marked out for you (1 Jn. 2.1-6).

Psalm 23.3-6
(The Gift of Love: Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire)
My soul He quickens and will bless;
He leads in paths of righteousness.
Though I may walk through death’s dark vale,
I shall not fear – He will not fail!

The Lord is ever by my side;
His rod and staff with me abide.
A table rich for me He spreads;
with oil my Lord anoints my head.

Goodness and mercy, full and free,
shall ever after follow me,
and in the house of God, my Lord,
shall I abide forevermore!

T. M. and Susie Moore

Listen to our summary of last week’s study in Deuteronomy by clicking here. You can download all the studies in the series by clicking here.

Our book, The Law of God, brings together the statutes, precepts, judgments, and testimonies of all the Law of God under their appropriate number of the Ten Commandments. It’s a great resource for daily meditation, to help you let the Word of God dwell in you richly. Order your copy by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All quotations from Church Fathers from Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy: Ancient Christian Commentary Series III, Joseph T. Lienhard, S. J. ed. in collaboration with Ronnie J. Rombs, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2001). All quotations from John Calvin from John Calvin, Commentaries on The Four Last Books of Moses Arranged in the Order of A Harmony, Rev. Charles William Bingham M. A., tr. and ed. (Edinburgh: The Calvin Translation Society, 1863. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).