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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for August 2023
September 1, 2023
Deuteronomy 9:24 – Ye have been rebellious against the Lord from the day that I knew you.
Thought: Moses left Egypt at the age of 40 years old. He spent 40 years in the wilderness tending sheep prior to his call to deliver Israel from the wicked, oppressive hands of Pharaoh. He was, then, with Israel 40 years during the wilderness wanderings. For that entire forty year period, he claims that the Israelites had been “rebellious against the Lord.” Dear readers, that is a sad commentary on the people of God. How does God view us? Are we obedient? Or, are we rebellious against the Lord?
Jeremiah 5:3
September 2, 2023
Deuteronomy 9:25, 26 – Thus I fell down before the Lord forty days and forty nights, as I fell down at the first; because the Lord had said he would destroy you. I prayed therefore unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed through thy greatness, which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand.
Thought: Moses had experienced many evil words, plots, and behaviors at the hands of his people. They blasphemed him. They accused him of bringing them into the wilderness to destroy them. They threatened to remove him as their leader. But, when God desired to destroy them, it was Moses who prostrated himself before the Lord pleading for Him to show mercy upon the people. Moses loved Israel. He was a dedicated leader who manifested compassion to others. Leaders need to study Moses.
Psalm 106:19-23
September 3, 2023
Deuteronomy 9:27 – Remember thy servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; look not unto the stubbornness of this people, nor their wickedness, nor to their sin.
Thought: In the past, God had made precious promises to very faithful men, namely, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These men embraced the promises even though they never personally saw their fulfillment. When Moses interceded on Israel’s behalf, he asked God to remember these faithful patriarchs of old rather than looking at the stubbornness, wickedness, and sin of Israel at the present time. Those men were deserving of God’s faithfulness. It’s interesting that Moses seeks to change God’s perspective.
Hebrews 11:13
September 4, 2023
Deuteronomy 9:28 – Lest the land whence thou broughtest us out say, Because the Lord was not able to bring them into the land which he promised them, and because he hated them, he hath brought them out to slay them in the wilderness.
Thought: Moses continued to reason with God as he interceded on Israel’s behalf. His second argument focused on how Egypt would respond if God destroyed Israel in the wilderness. He argued that the Egyptians would say two things about God Himself. First, they would say the Lord “was not able” to bring them into the land of promise. Second, they would assert that God hated Israel instead of truly loving them. Moses’ arguments were strong, but Israel had sinned. How would God respond?
Exodus 32:11-12
September 5, 2023
Deuteronomy 9:29 – Yet they are thy people and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest out by thy mighty power and by thy stretched out arm.
Thought: In his intercession unto God, Moses made one final point. “Yet they are thy people and thine inheritance.” God had chosen Israel. He had made them His people. He knew their hearts. He had seen their attitudes and behaviors. Thus, it was only fitting for God to continue to work with this nation of people. Moses shows us how to be bold when approaching God. We are never to be disrespectful, but God wants us to make our case before Him. God listens. God cares. Speak to Him.
Exodus 9:3-6
September 6, 2023
Deuteronomy 10:1, 2 – At that time the Lord said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mountain, and make thee an ark of wood. And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou didst break, and thou shalt put them in the ark.
Thought: When Moses was in Mount Sinai with God, he was given 2 tables of stone containing the Ten Commandments. However, when Moses saw the sin of the people at the base of the mountain, he cast the tablets down and broke them. Israel’s sin had broken their covenant with God. God, however, manifested mercy and forgiveness to His people. Moses, therefore, was instructed to hew two tablets and bring them into the mountain. God would write upon them again. The ark would house them.
Psalm 145:8-9
September 7, 2023
Deuteronomy 10:3 – And I made an ark of shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the mount, having two tables in mine hand.
Thought: In this verse, we read about two very important items in the system of Judaism. First, Moses speaks of “an ark of shittim wood.” This ark would ultimately be housed in the most holy place in the tabernacle. It would come to represent the presence of the Almighty God. Second, Moses makes mention of the “two tables” of stone. Once God wrote the Ten Commandments on these stones, they would come to represent the entirety of the Law of Moses. Yes, God and His law are mentioned here.
Exodus 37:1-9
September 8, 2023
Deuteronomy 10:4 – And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the Lord spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly, and the Lord gave them unto me.
Thought: These tablets were very unique. Moses had hewn them out of stone. It was God, however, who wrote upon them. They were the product of the finger of God. They were the words which Israel heard God speak when He assembled them at the foot of Mount Sinai. Now, listen to the last portion of the verse: “…and the Lord gave them unto me.” The Law of Moses was God’s gift to Israel. It involves their individual lives, their religious system, and their newly formed kingdom. What a gift!
Hebrews 12:18-21
September 9, 2023
Deuteronomy 10:5 – And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and put the tables in ark which I had made; and there they be, as the Lord commanded me.
Thought: What should have been done several days hence, finally come to it completion. The tables containing the Ten Commandments were written. Moses descended from the Mount of God. The tables of stone were housed in the ark of shittim wood. The kingdom of Israel was slowly coming together. God had freed His people. He would be their King. And, now, they had a law. All Israel needed to do was get to the Promised Land. Once settled therein, the kingdom would be complete.
Exodus 40:20-21
September 10, 2023
Deuteronomy 10:6 – And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera: there Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest’s office in his stead.
Thought: God promised Israel that an entire generation would fall in the wilderness. Only two men, Joshua and Caleb, would live. Aaron, Israel’s first high priest was not exempt from God’s judgment. We also learn that men who labor in high offices are not immune from death. Riches, power, and prestige will not prevent a man’s death. Another lesson found in this verse it that when one dies another takes his place. “…and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest’s office in his stead.”
Numbers 20:23-28
September 11, 2023
Deuteronomy 10:7, 8 – From thence they journeyed unto Gudgodah; and from Gudgoda to Jotbath, a land of rivers of waters. At that time the Lord separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.
Thought: Initially, all of the firstborn were to be separated unto the Lord. This plan would be cumbersome and difficult to maintain. God, therefore, selected one tribe, Levi, to be His ministers. Moses notes three of their responsibilities in this verse. They were to “bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord.” They were “to stand before the Lord to minister unto him.” And, they were “to bless his name.” This tribe was unique and performed very important and serious functions within the nation.
Numbers 18:6-7
September 12, 2023
Deuteronomy 10:9 – Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the Lord is his inheritance, according as the Lord thy God promised him.
Thought: The tribe of Levi felt their distinction in the service they bear, and in the inheritance they received. They were not given a specific portion of the Promised Land as were the other tribes. God told them that He would be their inheritance. They were scattered throughout Israel in forty-eight Levitical cities. They relied on the nation of Israel to give them a tithe, that is, a tenth of their goods for their sustenance. God wanted Levi focused upon His serve and their dependence on Him.
Number 18:20-24
September 13, 2023
Deuteronomy 10:10 – And I stayed in the mount, according to the first time, forty days and forty nights: and the Lord hearkened unto me at that time also, and the Lord would not destroy thee.
Thought: Moses is the only human being who has abode in the presence of God for eighty days while dwelling on the earth. He spent two forty day periods upon Mount Sinai receiving the law of God. The second time he was there he not only received the Law, but he also fought for Israel’s survival. As he spoke with God, he interceded on behalf of his people. His petitions were granted. The verse ends with God final sentence: “…and the Lord hearkened unto me…and…would not destroy thee.”
Exodus 32:14
September 14, 2023
Deuteronomy 10:11 – And the Lord said unto me, Arise, take thy journey before the people, that they may go in and possess the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give unto them.
Thought: Israel camped at Mount Sinai for a little over a year. Having received the Law, all they had to do was to make the journey to the Promised Land. They would overcome the seven Canaanite nations. They would occupy the land. They would enjoy the fruits of the land. They would develop into a powerful nation. They would obey God and be blessed abundantly. Eventually, the Messiah would be born into the world through them. Yes, soon these things would be theirs. Or, would they?
Exodus 33:1-2
September 15, 2023
Deuteronomy 10:12, 13 – And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandment of the Lord and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?
Thought: The responsibilities of God’s children are summed up in these two verses. They were to fear, that is, respect God and hold Him in high esteem. They were to walk in ALL His ways. They were to love Him and serve Him with ALL their heart and soul. Lastly, they were to keep His commandments and statutes. The question ends with three important words: “for thy good.” This is what man often forgets. All God requires is for man’s ultimate good. God’s requirements never bring harm to man.
Micah 6:8
September 16, 2023
Deuteronomy 10:14 – Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord’s thy God, the earth also, with all that is therein.
Thought: After God told Israel what He required of them, He, then, reminded them of who He is. He is the owner of all things. The heavens belong to the Lord. The heaven of heavens is God’s possession. “The earth also, with all that is therein” is His. This provides an extremely powerful reason as to why Israel should submit to Him. The owner of something is never told by the renter or worker what will or will not be done. Too, if a person will submit to the owner, he can and will be richly blessed.
Nehemiah 9:6
September 17, 2023
Deuteronomy 10:15 – Only the Lord had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.
Thought: Certain words often “stick out” in a Bible verse. Four seem to shine in this verse: delight, love, chose, and above. The word “delight” means to “long for” or “to be attached to.” The word “love” means “to have an affection for.” The term “chose” is simply defined as “select.” The last word is “above.” It means “the one out of many or all of the rest.” It was not just anyone who was doing these things to Israel. It was “the Lord.” It was Jehovah. It was the self-existent, eternal one.
Jeremiah 2:1-3
September 18, 2023
Deuteronomy 10:16 – Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
Thought: The actions of God on man’s behalf are intended to draw men into a faithful relationship with Him. In order to be in such a relationship, man must remove both sin and stubbornness from his life. The circumcising of the foreskin of the heart is the removal of all that is wicked and sinful. The heart is man’s control center. If the heart is free from iniquity, one’s life will be free of sin as well. Too, a person cannot be stiffnecked, that is, stubborn. He must be willing to submit to God’s will.
Colossians 2:11-12
September 19, 2023
Deuteronomy 10:17 – For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward.
Thought: In this verse, Moses establishes God’s position among the gods. He is “God of gods.” There is no God greater than He. He establishes his position among the lords. He is “Lord of lords.” Again, there is no lord greater. Moses also reveals that God is both “great” and “mighty” and “terrible.” Those who fight against Him cannot prevail. God is not a respecter of persons. Too, He cannot be bought. All men would be wise to serve this God and submit to His will in all things.
Jeremiah 20:11
September 20, 2023
Deuteronomy 10:18, 19 – He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and the widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Thought: Moses explains to Israel God’s love and care for three groups of people who were often treated with contempt and disdain by society: the fatherless, the widow, and the stranger. These individuals were under the protective wings of God. He executed judgment for the fatherless and widows. He loved and provided food and raiment for the stranger. Moses exhorted Israel to follow God’s lead. “Love ye therefore the stranger.” He reminds them that they, too, were once strangers.
Psalm 146:9
September 21, 2023
Deuteronomy 10:20 – Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.
Thought: Moses sets forth four responsibilities the Israelites had in their relationship with God. First, they were to fear God. Fear involves having a deep respect and awe for who God is and what He has done. Second, they were to serve Him. Serving Him means that they would submit to His statutes, commands, and judgments. Third, they were cleave to Him. They were not to forsake Him for other gods. Fourth, they were to swear by His name. Their words were undergirded by God and His law.
Joshua 23:8
September 22, 2023
Deuteronomy 10:21 – He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.
Thought: Here are the reasons Israel should practice the things mentioned in the previous verse. God had done for them many great and terrible things. These things were not deserved. These things were certainly not earned by Israel. Israel could not deny the marvelous works of God on their behalf. They had seen them with their own eyes. Too, they had oftentimes praised God because of the marvelous blessings He brought into their lives. Over and over, God proved to them He was their God.
Isaiah 12:2-6
September 23, 2023
Deuteronomy 10:22 – Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the Lord hath made thee as the stars of heaven for a multitude.
Thought: Jacob and his family made their way to Egypt after Joseph revealed himself to his brothers. They settled in the land of Goshen in Egypt. They were just a handful of people at the time. God, however, had promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that He would make of them a great nation, but it would take time. They were in Egypt several hundred years. In time, the Lord made them “as the stars of heaven for a multitude.” He was now ready to settle them in the land of Canaan as His people.
Genesis 15:5
September 24, 2023
Deuteronomy 11:1 – Therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments always.
Thought: As we read the admonition of this verse, we might be tempted to break it into two elements: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God” and “keep his charge.” The two admonitions are really just one. By keeping the Lord’s statutes, judgments, and commands, Israel would manifest their love for their God. Obedience has always been the manifestation of man’s love for God. Let’s not leave without looking at the last word of the verse, “always.” Love for God and obedience should last forever.
I John 5:3
September 25, 2023
Deuteronomy 11:2 – And know ye this day: for I speak not with your children which have not known, and which have not seen the chastisement of the Lord you God, his greatness, his mighty hand, and his stretched out arm.
Thought: Three generations were involved in the wilderness wandering. The first generation were the ones who exited Egypt after seeing the mighty works of God poured out on Pharaoh. This generation had children who also saw those signs. Due to sin, the first generation died in the wilderness. The children of the first generation became the second generation. They, too, had children while in the wilderness. These children became the third generation. Moses now speaks to the second generation.
Deuteronomy 5:1-3
September 26, 2023
Deuteronomy 11:3 – And his miracles, and his acts, which he did in the midst of Egypt unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and unto all his land.
Thought: Moses noted that God had chastised the land of Egypt in the previous verse. He describes the chastisement using five words or phrases: “his greatness,” “his mighty hand,” “his stretched out arm,” “his miracles,” and “his acts.” When God responds to evil, stubbornness, and rebellion, He does so with great force. He intends for two things to happen. First, He proves that He is the one who is in control of all things. Second, the chastisement is so significant that no man can deny the works of God.
Psalm 105:27-36
September 27, 2023
Deuteronomy 11:4 – And what he did unto the army of Egypt, unto their horses, and to their chariots; how he made the water of the Red sea to overflow them as they pursued after you, and how the Lord hath destroyed them unto this day.
Thought: When Pharaoh heard that Israel appeared to be lost in the wilderness as they exited Egypt, he dispatched his entire army to apprehend the Israelites. For some reason, he failed to understand that he was fighting against the Lord who is “a man of war” (Exo. 15:3). When he saw Israel fleeing on dry land in the midst of the Red Sea, he followed after them. This was a big mistake. God caused the chariot wheels to fall off and the Red Sea descended upon them and drowned the Egyptian army.
Exodus 14:23-28
September 28, 2023
Deuteronomy 11:5 – And what he did unto you in the wilderness, until ye came into this place.
Thought: Moses makes a summary statement in this verse. Israel had been with God forty years in the wilderness. God had provided for them. God had protected them. God had disciplined them. They were privileged to see the mighty works of God over and over again. These were not things that could be explained as natural occurrences. These were miracles, signs, and wonders that were undeniable. Israel should have had a rock-solid faith. They should have been totally committed to the Lord’s will.
Psalm 105:39-41
September 29, 2023
Deuteronomy 11:6 – And what he did unto Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben: how the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their households, and their tents, and all the substance that was in their possession, in the midst of all Israel.
Thought: Dathan’s and Abiram’s rebellion against Moses was a monumental event. It was so important that the inspired Moses reminded the Israelites about it in this closing address to the nation. The individuals who were involved in this uprising were punished by God. Moses recounts how this was done, “how the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their households…” Several thousand people died that day. God taught Israel to respect divinely ordained leadership.
Number 16:1-3
September 30, 2023
Deuteronomy 11:7 – But your eyes have seen all the great acts of the Lord which he did.
Thought: The generation of Israelites to whom Moses was speaking had seen the ten plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, the miracle of the quail and manna, the manifestation of God at Sinai, and a host of other events that occurred as they journeyed through the wilderness. They were eyewitnesses. They could honestly admit to the evidence or they could simply deny it. Denial, however, did not mean their eyes had not witnessed it. What they had seen should have caused them to be faithful to God.
John 10:37-38
Read devotionals for October 2023