January 27, 2021 – Deuteronomy 1-4

The book of Deuteronomy consists, primarily, of three addresses or sermons that Moses delivered to Israel to prepare them for entering the Promised Land (along with some historical and other materials). If I tried to encapsulate the message of Deuteronomy, I would note several things: 1) God has done mighty things for Israel (4:32-34), 2) God will always be faithful to Israel (4:31), 3) There is no other God besides the God of Israel (4:35), 4) Israel must obey God. If they do, they will be blessed; if not, they will be cursed (chapter 28).

Aren’t these things true for us, also? That is, God has done great things for us. He will always be faithful to us, his people. There is no other God besides our God. We must live according to God’s instructions to us, only then can we expect to enjoy his great blessings.

You know that David wrote many of the Psalms. Did you know that one Psalm, a prayer, came from Moses? He concluded his prayer, “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” (Psalm 90:17) Let us pray, with Moses and in the words of the old Anglican hymn:

Lord, behold us with thy favor

as we bless thy holy Name

for thy grace and love and mercy,

still from age to age the same.

We are sinful, thou art holy,

thou in heaven, on earth are we;

yet we dare to come before thee,

dare to lift our hearts to thee.