OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for January 2023
February 1, 2023
Deuteronomy 1:34, 35 – And the Lord heard the voice of your words, and was wroth, and sware, saying, Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land, which I sware to give unto your fathers.
Thought: There are several lessons in these two verses. First, man makes God angry when he rebels against God’s instructions. God told Israel to take the Canaan. They refused. “And the Lord…was wroth.” Second, our actions have consequences. We have the freedom to choose, but our choice comes with consequences. Israel rebelled against God. Thus, they were not allowed into the land of Canaan. Third, some opportunities only come once. Israel had their chance. Now a generation would died before another opportunity was given.
Hebrews 3:10-11
February 2, 2023
Deuteronomy 1:36 – Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him will I give the land that he hath trodden upon, and to his children, because he hath wholly followed the Lord.
Thought: Two of the spies stood against the ten who gave a negative report. One of them was Caleb the son of Jephunneh. He courageously stood before his brethren and encouraged them to take the land. He knew that if the Lord fought for them, they could not be defeated. Caleb’s obedience brought reward. He would endure the wilderness wanderings. He would enter the Promised Land. Too, he would be given a piece of the land. His children would also occupy that land. Moses said Caleb wholly followed the Lord. We must do the same.
Numbers 14:24
February 3, 2023
Deuteronomy 1:37 – Also the Lord was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou also shalt not go in thither.
Thought: Moses did not hide the fact that the Lord had also been angry with him due to his disobedience. Here, he does not go into the details of his actions. It involved a time when the Israelites were murmuring because they were thirsty. To alleviate the problem, Moses was told by God speak to a rock and it would bring forth water. Instead of speaking to the rock, Moses smote the rock three times. Moses’ disobedience angered God. Because of his rebellion, he was not allowed to lead the nation of Israel into the Promised Land.
Numbers 20:11-12
February 4, 2023
Deuteronomy 1:38 – But Joshua the son of Nun, which standeth before thee, he shall go in thither: encourage him: for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.
Thought: God chose Joshua to be the one who would bring Israel into the Promised Land. Joshua was one of Moses’ trusted leaders. He was the commander of the army of Israel. He was one who stood with Caleb when the ten spies gave their evil report of the land. There were two reactions Moses could have had toward Joshua when he was chosen. He could have been extremely jealous and angry toward him. Or, He could have been glad that a faithful man would take charge of the nation after him. This great man of God chose the latter.
Number 14:30
February 5, 2023
Deuteronomy 1:39 – Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.
Thought: Because of their lack of faith and rebellion against God, one generation of Israelites were not going to be allowed to enter into the Promised Land. This generation had experienced severe bondage by the hands of Pharaoh and had personally experienced being delivered by the mighty hand of God. This generation had been at the foot of Mount Sinai when God came down on the mountain to give them the Law and to make a covenant with them. None of those things mattered. They would perish in the wilderness. Their children would go in.
Numbers 14:30-32
February 6, 2023
Deuteronomy 1:40 – But as for you, turn you, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea.
Thought: Israel could have entered into the Promised Land two years after leaving Egypt if they had been faithful to God. Instead, they listened to the naysayers. They believed the words of the ten spies instead of the words of God. Therefore, God said: “…turn you, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea.” It was a journey of thirty-eight more years. It was a journey of difficulty. It was a journey of death for all who were twenty years old and above. Unbelief kept them from a land flowing with milk and honey.
Numbers 14:25-30
February 7, 2023
Deuteronomy 1:41 – Then ye answered and said unto me, We have sinned against the Lord, we will go up and fight, according to all that the Lord our God commanded us. And when ye had girded on every man his weapons of war, ye were ready to go up into the hill.
Thought: It is interesting how quickly discipline can change a person’s mind. When God told Israel they would wander forty years in the wilderness and die there, they admitted their wrongdoing. They said: “We have sinned against the Lord.” This was true, but it was too late. God’s mind was made up. Israel tried to change God’s mind by girding themselves with their weapons of war and preparing for battle. Sometimes, we can repent of our transgressions, but we still have to bear the punishment and consequences of our sins.
Matthew 27:3-4
February 8, 2023
Deuteronomy 1:42 – And the Lord said unto me, Say unto them, Go not up, neither fight: for I am not among you; lest ye be smitten before your enemies.
Thought: When Israel heard that they would die in the wilderness for rejecting God’s instructions, they decided, then, that they would obey. But it was too late. Then, they rebelled against God again. They girded on their weapons of war in order to fight their enemies. God warned them not to go up and fight. He plainly told them: “I am not among you.” He also informed them of their defeat. Israel was stubborn. Their hardened hearts often brought them hardship. If they persisted this time, they would suffer humiliation and death.
Numbers 14:41-42
February 9, 2023
Deuteronomy 1:43 – So I spake unto you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against the commandment of the Lord, and went presumptuously up into the hill.
Thought: There are three negative actions Israel involved themselves in that caused them to be smitten when they fought the Amorites. First, they would not hear God’s word. It wasn’t that they did not understand. No, they would not hear. Second, they rebelled against the commandment of the Lord. They did what they wanted to do rather than what God authorized. Third, they went presumptuously up into the hill. The word “presump-tuously” means “proudly” or “arrogantly.” These three actions will always bring defeat, even to God’s people.
Numbers 14:44
February 10, 2023
Deuteronomy 1:44 – And the Amorites, which dwelt in the mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah.
Thought: God had warned Israel not to do battle against the Amorites. However, their stubborn hearts refused to heed God’s warning. When the Amorites came out against them, they chased Israel “as bees do.” The picture is clear to anyone who has been under attack by bees or yellowjackets. When a person is being stung, he runs as quickly and as far as he can away from the hive. He may not perish in the encounter, but he is definitely left with the scars of battle. Israel suffered at the hands of the Amorites. They fled in shame from the enemy.
Numbers 14:45
February 11, 2023
Deuteronomy 1:45, 46 – And ye returned and wept before the Lord; but the Lord would not hearken to your voice, nor give ear unto you. So ye abode in Kadesh many days, according unto the days that ye abode there.
Thought: Instead of submitting to God’s orders, men often have to suffer the consequences of sin before they learn their lessons. It is then that they weep. Their weeping, however, is often more worldly than godly. Their plans did not work. They have been shamed and defeated. Their only alternative is to weep. This was Israel after they were defeated by the Amorites. Even though they wept, “the Lord would not hearken to them, nor give ear…” Following God involves genuineness and sincerity. God only accepts what is real and true.
Hosea 5:14-15
February 12, 2023
Deuteronomy 2:1 – Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the Lord spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir many days.
Thought: An old saying states: “Every journey begins with the first step.” Moses talks about the journey Israel was forced to take in the wilderness due to their rebellion against God. This step was away from the Promised Land. It was the first step of millions that would be taken by Israel in the wilderness. It was the first step toward death for one generation of Israelites. What could have been was left behind. The entire nation would suffer waiting for a generation to perish. God would fulfill His promise, but it would be a long wait.
Numbers 14:32-35
February 13, 2023
Deuteronomy 2:2, 3 – And the Lord spake unto me, saying, Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.
Thought: God is always true to His promises. He had told the children of Israel who rebelled that they would wander forty years in the wilderness. Too, He said their generation would die in the wilderness. But, He also promised that their children would occupy the land of Canaan. When the forty years came to an end and the last of the previous generation had died, God said to Moses: “Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.” It was time for God to fulfill His word. Soon God’s faithfulness would shine in the world.
Numbers 21:10-11
February 14, 2023
Deuteronomy 2:4, 5 – And command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore: 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.
Thought: Jacob and Esau were twin brothers. Jacob gave rise to Israel. Esau gave birth to the nation of Edom. In order for Israel to get to the Promised Land, they had to go through the land of Edom. Strict instructions were given to Israel. “Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breath.” Because of their close ties, some nations must practice respect and decorum between themselves. This respect and good behavior needs to go both ways. If one fails to do this, it gives rise to strife and warfare.
Genesis 25:24-26
February 15, 2023
Deuteronomy 2:6 – Ye shall buy meat of them for money, that ye may eat; and ye shall also buy water of them for money, that ye may drink.
Thought: As Israel journeyed through the land of Edom, they were not to think they were entitled to anything just because they were the kinsmen of the Edomites. Israel was commanded to purchase even the basics, food and water, from the Edomites. It is unfortunate that people have to be commanded to treat their own brethren with honor and justice. One would think that fleshly ties are important. Why would someone want to take advantage of a kinsman? Yet, some of the most severe fights have been between brothers and families.
Genesis 23:13-16
February 16, 2023
Deuteronomy 2:7 – For the Lord thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the Lord thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing.
Thought: When it came time to fulfill His promise to Israel, God directed them to move north. These individuals had been blessed in the wilderness. The trek was long and hard, but God had been with them. The affirmation was made that they “lacked nothing.” As we live our lives, we often forget God’s constant care of us. We have plenty to eat and drink and sufficient clothing to wear. We are well protected. Our health remains good. We just expect these things to be. We must remember that they are God’s gifts and evidences that He is with us.
Nehemiah 9:19-21
February 17, 2023
Deuteronomy 2:8, 9 – And when we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, through the way of the plain of Elath, and from Ezion-gaber, we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab. And the Lord said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of their land for a possession; because I have given Ar unto the children of Lot for a possession.
Thought: The Moabites were also kin to the children of Israel. They were the descendants of Lot. And, Lot was the nephew of Abraham. They, too, had been given a specific portion of land in which to dwell. God did not want Israel to distress the Moabites or contend with them. The wilderness of the Moabites was not be to given to Israel. In the Old Testament, we constantly find God being kind to nations other than Israel. God separated Israel out to bring the Messiah into the world, but He was still deeply concerned for all men.
Genesis 19:37
February 18, 2023
Deuteronomy 2:10, 11 – The Emims dwelt therein in times past, a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; which also were accounted giants, as the Anakims; but the Moabites call them Emims.
Thought: We are introduced to a line of men called giants in the days of Noah. “There were giants in the earth in those days…” (Gen. 6:4). These men were of greater stature and stronger than normal men. These men appeared to be fierce warriors. They lived off the plunder of others. In Genesis 14, a king named Chedorlaomer defeated some of these giants in battle. They appear to have migrated into the area that eventually became Moab. Some of these men lived in Canaan. They struck terror into the hearts of the ten spies.
Numbers 13:32-33
February 19, 2023
Deuteronomy 2:12 – The Horims also dwelt in Seir beforetime; but the children of Esau succeeded them, when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their stead; as Israel did unto the land of his possession, which the Lord gave unto them.
Thought: Moses continues to relate the history of the region to the children of Israel. Some of them may have been familiar with the history. Others may have known little, if any, of the history. Dear readers, history has always been filled with one nation conquering another nation. This is part of the process involving nations and governments. Some act like it is a new phenomenon, but it is not. Many times, these takeovers are violent and brutal. At other times, takeovers have been authorized by God. Let us all accept and learn from our history.
Genesis 14:5-6
February 20, 2023
Deuteronomy 2:13 – Now rise up, said I, and get you over the brook Zered. And we went over the brook Zered.
Thought: Once individuals have been given a set of instructions, it is then time to carry them out. God informed Israel how they were to treat the Moabites. Moses then told them to “rise up…and get you over the brook Zered”. This stream separated Edom from the land of the Moabites. In our lives, we, too, have been given instructions by our heavenly Father. Once we have them, it is time to “rise up” and do them. Far to often, God’s children are willing to hear, but are not as willing to do. Dear readers, we must be doers of the Word.
James 1:22-25
February 21, 2023
Deuteronomy 2:14 – And the space in which we came from Kadesh-barnea, until we were come over the brook Zered was thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the Lord sware unto them.
Thought: As we read this verse, we might wonder why did Israel only wander 38 years when God has told them they would wander 40 years. Notice Moses tells them they wandered 38 years from Kadesth-Barnea until the time they crossed the brook Zered. If we study Israel’s history, we will find that originally it took them two years to reach Kadesh-barnea after they departed from Egypt. God included that time in the wilderness as part of the 40 years. God was true to His Word. A generation fell in the wilderness after 40 years of wandering.
Numbers 32:13
February 22, 2023
Deuteronomy 2:15, 16 – For indeed the hand of the Lord was against them, to destroy them from the host, until they were consumed. So it came to pass, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people.
Thought: When God speaks, His words are serious and true. God told the warriors of Israel who were over the age of twenty that they would not enter Canaan because of their disobedience. At that moment, “the hand of God was against them.” They were destroyed and consumed in the wilderness. After forty years of wandering, Israel should have realized that God is serious, and His words are true. Do we have that understanding about God and His Word? Do we take what He says seriously? If not, one day we will find His words to be true.
Acts 26:25
February 23, 2023
Deuteronomy 2:17-19 – That the Lord spake unto me, saying, Thou art to pass over through Ar, the coast of Moab, this day: and when thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon any possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession.
Thought: The children of Israel were going to pass through the land of the Ammonites. God told Israel not to disturb their land in any way. These individuals were the descendants of Lot through his younger daughter. Because of their ties to Abraham, God gave them a specific land to inherit. This land was not Israel’s to have. This is the third nation God has told the children of Israel not to take. When God has a relationship with individuals and makes promises to them, He does not go back on His Word. Dear reader, God can be trusted!
Genesis 19:38
February 24, 2023
Deuteronomy 2:20 – (That also was accounted a land of giants: giants dwelt therein in old time; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims.
Thought: All lands have their history of people who have occupied them. Moses gives a brief account of those who lived in the land of the Ammonites prior to their taking the land. What’s interesting is the fact that no nation ever lasts forever. The Ammonites no longer control the land that they took from the Zamzummims. Nations sometimes develop a false sense of security thinking they can never fall. Not so!. Nations rise and fall all of the time. According to Scripture, God is in control of these things. He is “the Governor of the nations.”
Psalm 22:28
February 25, 2023
Deuteronomy 2:20 – (That also was accounted a land of giants: giants dwelt therein in old time; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims.
Thought: Yesterday, we concluded our study with the idea that it is God who controls the rise and fall of nations. In this verse, it is clear that the Lord destroyed the Anakims and allowed the Ammonites to dwell in their land. Men often cry out: “This is unfair”, or, declare: “This is evil.” We forget that God has expectations of a nation’s leaders. They are supposed to seek to be righteous. Most rulers fail in this pursuit. Wickedness, violence, corruption, and injustice rule. Thus, God judges the nation and brings the nation to an end.
Daniel 2:21
February 26, 2023
Deuteronomy 2:22, 23 – As he did to the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, when he destroyed the Horims from before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead even unto this day: and the Avims which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah, the Caphtorims, which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)
Thought: As we think about the conquests of Seir by the children of Esau and the conquest of Moab and Ammon by the descendants of Lot, we might wonder: “How much information did the giants of these lands have about God’s part in their conquest?” They may have known nothing about God’s role in their overthrow. We note this point so that all of us keep in mind the providential hand of God in the realm of governments and nations. God ordains the powers that be. Could men ever condemn something God ordained?
Romans 13:1
February 27, 2023
Deuteronomy 2:24 – Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.
Thought: There eventually comes a time when faith must be put into action. Israel had wandered for forty years in the wilderness because they refused to fight the Canaanites. Now, it was time for the next generation to be tested. God had promised them the land. He had promised them that He would fight for them. The Amorites would be their first test. Would the Israelites fight? Would they manifest the faith needed to begin to take the Promised Land. God also calls us to action. Do we have the faith to obey? Will we fight the enemy?
James 2:14
February 28, 2023
Deuteronomy 2:25 – This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee.
Thought: The things God can do for us are often beyond our comprehension. Israel’s fighting force was not massive. Too, they were not a well, oiled machine militarily. They had been wandering in the wilderness in tents for forty years. The opposition were giants who were defending wall cities. Yet, God tells Israel: “I will begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations.” He promises that they “shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee.” When God commands the military, His power terrorizes the enemy.
Exodus 23:27-28
Read devotionals for March 2023
