May 30th, 2016
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

It All Belongs Together

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Almighty God, my strength and my defender, today I remember those who bought the freedoms of our nation with a dear price.

Read Deuteronomy 4:1-14,32-40

[1] Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land the LORD, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. [2] Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you. [3] You saw with your own eyes what the LORD did at Baal Peor. The LORD your God destroyed from among you everyone who followed the Baal of Peor, [4] but all of you who held fast to the LORD your God are still alive today. [5] See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. [6] Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” [7] What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? [8] And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? [9] Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. [10] Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when he said to me, “Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.” [11] You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain while it blazed with fire to the very heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness. [12] Then the LORD spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of words but saw no form; there was only a voice. [13] He declared to you his covenant, the Ten Commandments, which he commanded you to follow and then wrote them on two stone tablets. [14] And the LORD directed me at that time to teach you the decrees and laws you are to follow in the land that 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.

Meditate

“Nothing whatsoever compares with Yahweh, or stands in the same category as he does.. . . Yahweh alone is ‘the God’” (Christopher Wright).

Think Further

Analytical thought purposes to separate concepts and themes, putting facts into boxes and filing under keywords. Seeing the comparative interrelatedness of the whole is another matter. Today’s reading (like much in the Bible) bundles together many events, experiences and responsibilities, past, present and future.

 

An exhortation opens our reading, to follow “decrees and laws.” Immediately linked is the place where these are to be lived out, “the land” that the Lord “is giving you,” with long continuity of relationship affirmed by “the God of your ancestors” (1,2). Following a brief reminder of recent consequences of alternative responses (3-4; Num. 25; Josh. 22:17; Psa. 106:28), the appeal is mainly positive. The people must not forget the law’s origin at Horeb in God’s unique awe-inspiring presence and speaking (10-15,32,33,35,36). In turn the Horeb revelation belongs with the powerful deliverance from Egypt, a people-forming step before entering the land (20,34,37,38). The writer to Hebrews speaks of an even greater deliverance and revelation that is treated lightly at our peril (Heb. 12:18-29).

 

Furthermore, God’s unique presence and the practical wisdom behind the laws are to be so evident in the corporate life of the people in the land that “the nations” will be attracted (5-8). We see a similar purpose in Jesus’ words that people “may see your good deeds” (the image of “city” points to corporate witness; see Matt. 5:14,16), using a word that is sometimes translated “beautiful” (Matt. 26:10). Then and now, deliverance, God’s revelatory and guiding presence, worship and obeying his commands for life, and mission belong together. Obedience is sustained as we do not forget (9). The story of Exodus, Horeb/Sinai, land, leading on to Christ and the people of God embracing all nations, is the drama in which we are to live our lives of obedience to the one God, beside whom “there is no other” (35).

Apply

Reflect on your experiences of deliverance, God’s presence, worship, obedience in all of life and mission belonging together.

Closing prayer

Father, You have done so much for me. Your grace gives me no choice but to share that love with others.

Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.

© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.

Encounter with God is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.

View all readings

Get ENCOUNTER:

in your email:

in Print:

Become a Member | Visit our store