Moses continues his sermon about the good things the Lord has done for his people. God delivered the two Amorite kings into the hands of the Isrealites....I thought it was interesting that King Og's coffin is described in 3:11...it was more than 13 feet long and 6 feet wide.....no obstacle is too big for the Lord......even a big ole king!
Moses is again forbidden to cross the Jordan and the language reminds me of that of a father talking to a child...."Enough! No more discussion on this!!!" Moses gets to view the Promised Land, but because of the Lord's judgment on his sin, he is not going to enter it.
Obedience is commanded of the Isrealites....they are not to add or subtract anything from the laws that God has given them.....Matthew will tell us that the Pharisees did exactly that....they added to the law and made it a huge burden for the people....don't worry....Jesus will take care of it....
Idolatry is reiterated....I love the part in 4:15 where Moses tells the Isrealites..."You saw no form of any kind the day the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire"...therefore the people can't make any form to worship.....verse 24 tells us that the lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God"....this is quoted again in Hebrews 12:29......Jealousy is a demand for someon else's exclusive affection or loyalty....some jealousy is bad...but this is appropriate and good......God makes a strong demand on us....we must treat only the Lord-and nothing or no one else in all the universe-as God.
The cities of refugee are assigned and show us that the Commandments of the Lord sometimes need interpretation. For example, the NSRV study notes tells us that the the commandment "Do not murder 5:17" doesn't apply to non-intentional killing-accidental killing is not the same as killing with intent ....Shoot, I surely am glad that the Lord is the judge and I am not........
Look what comes up from the depths of the sea.
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Even though Moses could not enter, it must have been immensely satisfying and humbling to view the Holy Land.
ReplyDeleteYes.....I think it is cool that God cared for Moses enough to grant him this after all his hard work!
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