Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9
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Deuteronomy chapter 16 verse 18 is of note today: "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in all the towns the LORD your God is giving you. They will judge the people fairly throughout the land." After Deuteronomy comes the book of Joshua, which is followed by the book of Judges. And then... Israel won't be satisfied with just judges. Israel will want a king...
Below is an image for Deuteronomy chapter 17 verses 8 and 9 today: ""Suppose a case arises in a local court that is too hard for you to decide--for instance, whether someone is guilty of murder or only of manslaughter, or a difficult lawsuit, or a case involving different kinds of assault. Take such cases to the place the LORD your God will choose, where the Levitical priests and the judge on duty will hear the case and decide what to do."
In Deuteronomy 18:15 today Moses prophesies about Jesus! "Moses continued, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him." These words of Moses' show that the coming of Jesus was not an afterthought, but part of God's original plan. In Acts 3:22-23 Peter quoted this verse to show that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah, the prophet referred to here in Deuteronomy.
Bob Deffinbaugh with Bible.org has a great commentary on Deuteronomy chapter 18 titled "False Prophets" at this link. One good quote from this link from Bob is - "False prophets play down the majesty and holiness of God. They try, as it were, to ‘bring God down’ to our level. They make us feel comfortable around “God” (or the “gods”), and they even seek to convince us that we can manipulate God to our advantage. The true prophets did just the opposite.'" Think there are false prophets in our world today?
In Deuteronomy chapter 19 we read about the Cities of Refuge today. An image is below for verse 11 - which did not allow one safety in the Cities of Refuge.... ""But suppose someone hates a neighbor and deliberately ambushes and murders that neighbor..."
An image is below for Deuteronomy chapter 20 verses 1 through 4 - ""When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The LORD your God, who brought you safely out of Egypt, is with you! Before you go into battle, the priest will come forward to speak with the troops. He will say, `Listen to me, all you men of Israel! Do not be afraid as you go out to fight today! Do not lose heart or panic. For the LORD your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!'" This reminds me of a great lyric from Chris Tomlin's Arriving CD - "If God is on our side, who can be against us?"
It is interesting to read about the cleansing for an unsolved murder in Deuteronomy chapter 21. I think God makes it crystal clear here that murder is such a horrible crime that affects the entire land and community. The Ten Commandments are obviously clear on "do not murder." These verses in Deuteronomy go into a bit of what happens to the land when one is murdered. Interesting to think about these verses on murder - and then realize that Jesus, whose blood was wholly innocent, was murdered on a cross. Was Jesus' murder unsolved? Who is guilty for this murder of Jesus? Whose sins put Jesus on the cross? Thankfully, whose sins does Jesus' blood cover? Who does Jesus rescue and redeem through His innocent blood shed on a cross?
Worship God: Today's readings in Deuteronomy 18:15 reminded me of Chris August's song "Starry Night:"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdtWdUorGAM
Do you know the Creator every Starry Night? Click here to meet Him!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so." Deuteronomy 18:14 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you never ever practice sorcery or divination.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
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