A WHOLE MAN

  Reflection: Deuteronomy concludes with Moses’ final exhortation, urging the Israelites to "Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. For it is no empty word for you, but your very life" (32:46-47a). As they prepare to enter the Promised Land, a steadfast devotion to the Lord and His commands is to shape their lives and actions. As we transition into the book of Joshua, the narrative shifts into a new chapter for God’s people in the land, and the central question remains: Will the people of God remain faithful and obedient to all that the Lord has commanded? This question calls us to reflect on our own faithfulness and commitment to God’s Word as we live in the fullness of His promises through Christ. Deuteronomy 27-29: Curses and Blessings. Moses sets before the Israelites the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience, symbolized by the two mo...

  Reflection: Moses’ sermons in Deuteronomy do more than simply restate the law and the covenant stipulations. They also serve to expound upon the Ten Commandments, offering deeper insight into each one. Below is a chart that shows how the chapters in Deuteronomy correspond to each of the Ten Commandments, helping us understand how the principles laid out in the law are further applied and explained throughout Moses's final addresses to the people. Source: God's Glory in Salvation through Judgment , pg 128 Deuteronomy 4-7: God Alone. John Calvin once noted that our hearts are "idol factories," constantly prone to replacing God with lesser things. As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, their greatest danger wasn’t external threats like famine, disease, or foreign enemies—it was the internal temptation to worship idols. Moses reminds the people that God is "a jealous God" (4:24) and that the miracles and signs they witnessed were meant to revea...

  Reflection: When the people of Israel leave Egypt, they number around 600,000 ( Ex 12:37 ). At the opening of the book of Numbers, we read of the first census (Num 1). The total numbered 603,550. A second census is conducted after the rebellious first had passed away and that total was fewer than the first, 601,730. It is interesting that between the Exodus and the second census, we read of rebellion and the death of many Israelites. However, after the second census, there are no records of any Israelites dying. The people even go to war against the five kings of Midian with only 12,000 and, yet, when they "counted the men of war...not a man [was] missing" ( Num 31:49 ). What a beautiful picture of how God will bring all of His people to the promised land of rest, not one will be lost. Numbers 17-20: Buds, Provision, and Breaking Rocks. The Lord demonstrates His ability to provide despite the grumbling of the people. The people realize their predicament and anxiously cry ...

Reflection: In week 4, we sat at the mountain of God and read of the people receiving the law and God dwelling with the people through the filling of the Tent of Meeting (Tabernacle). In Exodus 40, the tabernacle is erected on the first day of the first month of the second year. From then until Numbers, not much time has passed, one month to be exact ( Numbers 1:1 ). As mentioned in previous weeks, the first 10 chapters of Numbers are at Sinai. As they prepare to set out to the Promised land, we are hopeful that they will keep their covenant vows, but in chapters 12-16 we read of rebellion and complaint from the people, Aaron and Miriam, the select spies who were sent into the land, some of the sons of Levi. This entire generation (except for Caleb and Joshua) will perish in the wilderness, but God's steadfast love will remain for the generation to follow. Leviticus 20-23: Holy. In 20:26, we read "You shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy and have separated you from the ...

Reflection : As we bring Exodus to a close, we read of the tabernacle being erected and God coming down and dwelling with His people. The question then is how can God's people continue to dwell with God in this new Eden-like state without being "put out of the camp". Leviticus summarizes how sin and contact with the dead (Lepers were continuously in contact with deadness in them) removes them from God's presence, but sacrifice allows them to reenter. Let's consider each of the types of offerings and some reasons for how they relate to Christ: Burnt Offering: This offering shows that we can do nothing to atone for our sin. Like the burnt offering, Christ's entire body was offered up to God in atonement for our sin. The burnt offering restored the Israelites relationship with God, but through Christ we have full, final, and perfect reconciliation Grain Offering: Purpose was to worship God and acknowledge His provision and sovereignty. The grain offering was a co...