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The Scriptorium

Witnesses to the World

It's why we've been set aside unto the Lord. Deuteronomy 28.9-14

This Way to Blessing: Deuteronomy 28  (2)

Opening Prayer: Psalm 71.1-3
In You, O LORD, I put my trust;
Let me never be put to shame.
Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape;
Incline Your ear to me, and save me.
Be my strong refuge,
To which I may resort continually;
You have given the commandment to save me,
For You are my rock and my fortress.

Psalm 71.1-3

(Solid Rock: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less)
In You, O Lord, I refuge claim; O let me never be ashamed.
In righteousness deliver me; incline Your ear and hear my plea.
Refrain v. 3
A Rock of habitation be; command Your Word to rescue me.
My Rock and Fortress ever be!

Today’s Text: Deuteronomy 28.9-14

Preparation

1. What did God promise if His people would keep His commandments?

2. How would these blessings affect the nations around Israel?

Mediation
It’s clear that God intended His people to be a light to the nations, to show the way of blessing, wisdom, and prosperity. By keeping the commandments of God, the people would display love for God and neighbors as their defining characteristics. This would convince the nations that Israel was indeed called by the Lord (vv. 9, 10). The nations would fear Israel as a result; and the people would continue to live in bounty and blessing under the good hand of God (vv. 11, 12).

Israel would have a commanding role vis à vis the nations of the world, lending to many but borrowing from none (v. 12), leading in all things social and cultural, and maintaining a position above all the nations of the world (v. 13). Israel realized this destiny only briefly (1 Kgs. 10); nevertheless, God promised that, in the last days, He would renew this promise and position for His chosen and set-aside people (Mic. 4.1-8). These last days began on the first Christian Pentecost, when God poured out His Spirit on those who believed in Jesus, and set them aside as His holy people, a nation of witnesses to Jesus Christ (Acts 2; Acts 1.8). But they must be diligent to fulfill God’s Law in the power of His Spirit to realize their full Kingdom greatness (Ezek. 36.26, 27; Matt. 5.17-19).

A final warning about turning to false gods and idols closes this section on blessing and bridges into the next section, where God once again renews the threat of curses, but with even more vigor and scope than in chapter 27.

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
When the world looks at Christians today, what do they see? Do they see courage? Dignity? Character? Success? Obedience? Love? Anything that would draw them to our Savior because of something they see in us? God’s intention for us is this: “Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they shall be afraid of you” (Deut. 28.10). First, they have to be able to see that we are Christians: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn. 13.35). Second, we must live as disciples of Jesus: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (Jn. 14.15). Third, through our obedience we will be seen as God’s special people. And this will cause others to fear us. As Rahab opined to the spies, “the terror of you has fallen on us…for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath” (Josh. 2.9, 11). Fourth, this fear, not really of us, but of the One we serve, will lead others to repentance and faith. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5.16). We are His own special people, that we may proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Pet. 2.9). We are called to be seen as His. His witnesses to the world. And what they see must be Christians who “keep the commandments of the LORD…and walk in His ways” (Deut. 28.9).

Reflection
1. What does it mean to be a witness for our Lord Jesus Christ?

2. What can keep us from being convincing as witnesses for our Lord?

3. How can we encourage one another to be more effective in bearing witness to the Lord.

Wherefore, the sum comes to this, that, in order that God may continue to shew us the favor which He has begun towards us, we ought on our sides to be altogether submissive to His rule. This indeed He demands of us by His word, and enables us to perform it by the power of His Spirit… John Calvin (1506-1564), Commentary on Deuteronomy 28.12-14

Lord, let my life be a witness to You today as I…

Closing Prayer: Psalm 19.7-11
Ask the Lord to show you how His commandments apply to the day ahead. How will you obey Him, and thus show that you are truly one of His people?

Psalm 71.3, 12-24
(Solid Rock: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less)
O God be not too far from me; my ever-present Helper be!
Consume and shame my enemies; let them reproached and humbled be.

Refrain v. 3
A Rock of habitation be; command Your Word to rescue me.
My Rock and Fortress ever be!

But as for me my voice I raise to sing in hope and constant praise!
With saving grace my voice will swell Your never-ending grace to tell.
Refrain

O Lord, I praise Your righteousness Who me from youth have taught and blessed.
Forsake me not when I am old, ‘til I Your mercies all have told!
Refrain

Your righteous deeds are great and true. O God, there is no one like You!
Though many troubles I have seen, You will revive my soul again!
Refrain

Increase my greatness, comfort me, and unto You shall praises be.
Your truth I will exalt full well, O Holy One of Israel!
Refrain

My lips with joy and praises ring; to You, Redeemer, praise I bring!
I praise Your goodness all day long; Lord, humble all who do me wrong.
Refrain

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.And check out our current ReVision series on encouragement.

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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

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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