A Good Legacy
Opening Prayer
Father, let me be faithful to build and pass down a legacy that is true to You and honoring to all You are.
Read DEUTERONOMY 31:1-13
[1] Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel: [2] “I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you. The LORD has said to me, ‘You shall not cross the Jordan.’ [3] The LORD your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua also will cross over ahead of you, as the LORD said. [4] And the LORD will do to them what he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, whom he destroyed along with their land. [5] The LORD will deliver them to you, and you must do to them all that I have commanded you. [6] Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” [7] Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. [8] The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” [9] So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the Levitical priests, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel. [10] Then Moses commanded them: “At the end of every seven years, in the year for canceling debts, during the Festival of Tabernacles, [11] when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose, you shall read this law before them in their hearing. [12] Assemble the people-men, women and children, and the foreigners residing in your towns-so they can listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and follow carefully all the words of this law. [13] Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the LORD your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What is Moses' assurance to the people?As you read verses 1 and 2 try to imagine what Moses’ state of mind might have been. He doesn’t indulge his own emotions at this farewell but gets straight down to business. While Joshua is identified as the next leader for the people, see how often the Lord is identified as their deliverer and the one who will accompany them on the hard journey to come (3-6). It’s as if Moses is placing his own life as a great human leader in its proper perspective before God.Moses commands both the people and Joshua to be strong and courageous, and not to be fearful (6,7). Fear is the opposite of faith, because fear simply defines the limits of one’s own capabilities, while faith sketches in the limitless resources of God himself. Finally, Moses secures his own true legacy, which is the written Law–a permanent record of God’s revelation through him. The purpose of this law is as a reminder of the covenant (9) and it was for everyone: men, women, children and foreigners (12). A good legacy.
Apply
Take confidence in the Lord and make a step to build your legacy of faith.
Closing prayer
Jesus, You came that I may know Your promise. Help me to go in Your name that others may also know You.
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