A Covenant People : Studies in Deuteronomy. Michael Mobley Winter 2013

Transcription

1 A Covenant People : Studies in Deuteronomy Michael Mobley Winter 2013 Summer 2015

2 What is Deuteronomy? Deuteronomy the second law The second book of Moses called The Book of the Law The book consists of three or four addresses or speech 1-3, 4-30, or 1-3, 4-26, 27-30, The following is copied: Deuteronomy is located at an important place in the Old Testament. It is the fifth and concluding book in the section of the Bible known as The Law, or Torah, which means teaching. Deuteronomy continues the story of God's people that began in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. The LORD chose the people of Israel, brought them out of slavery in Egypt, and at Sinai gave to them and their leader Moses the laws and commandments that they were to live by. In this way, Deuteronomy looks backward, emphasizing what the Lord has already done. But the words of Moses also look forward and are meant to be the teaching that will guide his generation of Israelites in their new life in Canaan and future generations as well. God's agreement with the people of Israel, as presented in Deuteronomy, forms the basis of and provides an introduction to the history of Israel found in the books of Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, and 1 and 2 Kings. Deuteronomy is presented as Moses' last words to the generation of Israelites who are ready to enter the promised land of Canaan. Though Moses has traditionally been seen as the book's author, the final form of the book also applies the traditions of Moses and the Law to the religious and political situations of a later time. This is done in two ways. First, Israel can use the message of Deuteronomy to judge its national successes and failures: Obeying the terms of God's agreement with Israel will result in good fortune; disobedience will bring death and destruction. Second, Deuteronomy repeats this key point throughout the book: God has chosen Israel out of love, so Israel should respond to this love by loving God in return and by remaining faithful to the terms of God's agreement with Israel. The book of 2 Kings tells the story of a great reform in Israel in 621 B.C. (2 Kings 22,23). While workers were repairing the temple in Jerusalem, they found a book of the Law. When King Josiah of Judah heard what it had to say, he tore his clothes in sorrow and called together the older leaders of the people. Josiah realized that the people had not been following the Law, so he ordered reforms suggested by the law book. These reforms included breaking down and burning all the altars, shrines, and high places honoring gods other than the LORD God of Israel.

3 Most biblical scholars believe that Josiah's law book was the book we know as Deuteronomy, or at least its middle section (Deuteronomy 12-26). Where did the law book come from, and how did it end up in storage in the temple? This is not clear. Some scholars think that the ancient writings were brought to Jerusalem by Levite priests who were running away from Assyrian persecution in the north sometime during the reign of King Manasseh ( B.C.). What does this have to say about when Deuteronomy was written? Though much of the material in Deuteronomy may date back to the time of Moses, it was likely put in its present form by scribes and editors who lived centuries later. Events recorded in the Book of Deuteronomy occurred while Israel was encamped on the Plains of Moab and poised to cross the River Jordan in order to enter and take possession of the Land of Promise. These events took place over about a two month period of time (see, for example, 1:3; 34:5, 8; Josh 4:19; and see Introduction to the Pentateuch for a discussion of the chronology of the Pentateuch in general), ending with the death of Moses and a 30 day period of mourning for him. Assuming a date for the Exodus of 1446 B.C. (see Introduction to the Pentateuch for arguments supporting this date), that would place the events of Deuteronomy in the year 1406 B.C. Dating of the composition of the Book of Deuteronomy has been disputed by critical scholars who assert that Moses did not write the book. Instead, they attribute Deuteronomy to other writers who lived at a later date either to Samuel in the eleventh century B.C. or religious leaders during the seventh century B.C., and even possibly to the postexilic period by the socalled Deuteronomist. However, in addition to the evidence already presented for Mosaic authorship, support also comes from the similarities between the structure of Deuteronomy and the Middle Eastern suzerainty treaties. It has been suggested by some (Craigie 1983:25) that Deuteronomy is a covenant renewal document which in its total structure exhibits the classical legal form of the suzerainty treaties of the Mosaic age. The contention is that when one recognizes that a biblical document reflects the historical and cultural context of a specific period, it is reasonable to date it where it will not be out of harmony with the age in which it is purported to have been written. It is reasonable, therefore, to assign a date of composition to the Book of Deuteronomy to the time period just prior to Israel's crossing of the Jordan. Since Moses died before Israel crossed the Jordan, the composition of Deuteronomy could not have taken place any later than 1406 B.C. The theology of Deuteronomy is in its covenant form and structure. Covenant by its very definition demands at least three elements: the two contracting parties a) Yahweh, the Great King and covenant initiator b) Israel, the vassal and covenant recipient the document that describes and outlines the purpose, nature, and requirements of the relationship. c) the book itself, the covenant organ, complete with the essentials of standard treaty documents.

4 This means that all the revelation of the book must be seen through the prism of covenant and not abstractly removed from the peculiar historical and ideological context in which it originated The theological values of Deuteronomy can hardly be exaggerated. It stands as the wellspring of biblical historical revelation. It is a prime source for the ideas of: covenant, the holiness of God the concept of the people of God This study will take a look at the law of Moses and the law of Christ, what was then and what is now. Here, we will examine the contrast and nature and purpose of the two laws. 1. Both laws were written and given by God and are from God. Deuteronomy 4-5 (Exodus 20) Matthew 5 (John 1) 2. The law of Moses was administered by men: Deuteronomy (Legal code) the civil law/code; oversee and administered by the elders and judges Leviticus (Levitical code) the religious law/code; overseen and administered by the priestly order This was the order as ordained and commanded by God and set forth in his law, nothing more or less 3. The law of Christ is administered by the Son of God: Teachings of Christ given by Christ and the Holy Spirit to the apostles, or the teachings of Christ and the teachings of the (His) Apostles. Administered solely by Christ because he is our Lord and Savior. 4. The law of Christ to replace the law of Moses: We will see the two natures in function and the relationship between them more clearly throughout these lessons Nature (Jeremiah 31:31-34, John 1:17): a) Moses was written on stone addresses strictly behavior; rule based b) Christ is written on the human heart a spiritual law, it addresses the whole person; operates from grace and truth: 1. grace in Christ God fulfilled his desire and will to save us and he could not do so in the law 2. truth in Christ God fulfilled the revelation and knowing of the true teaching c) The law of Moses can only teach and correct but it cannot save; Christ is both Lord and Savior the law of Christ both teaches and saves and both are essential for converting the soul and transforming the sinner; the law brought punishment for disobedience to it while Christ brought salvation that law, my disobedience to it

5 Fulfillment (Matthew 5:17-20): a) the law of Moses was to be a teacher to prepare the world for the law of Christ but God s people failed to learn their lessons from the law of Moses b) Fundamental --- the law of Moses was not able to convert the soul while the law of Christ provides the means for us all to be righteous before God 5. What did the law of Christ change? Galatians 2:16-20 not saved by the law and my obedience to its every commandment but by what Jesus did, sinless obedience to the law fulfilled the moral and levitical law Galatians 3:23-29 the saved live by their faith in Jesus Christ and not their own ability to keep the law 6. What the law of Moses ( the law as referred to in the NT) is not: It was the moral code of Deuteronomy and the priestly code of Leviticus nothing more or less It is not the doctrines of men: a) for they interfere and prevent and corrupt the heart an spirit of men (Matthew 5:17-20, Colossians 2) b) Jewish doctrines (Matthew 15:1-20) explain the Jewish law as it existed in the 1 st century: 1. Talmud 2. Mishnah 3. religious sects: ---- Pharisees ---- Sadducees ---- Essences ---- Zealots c) Gentile philosophies (Colossians 2) 7. Final thought from the teachings of Christ (Matthew the Sermon on the Mount): Matthew 5 the moral code; the true nature of the moral law of God Matthew 6 the levitical code; the true nature of religion and worship of God Matthew 7 the true measure of obedience to God

6 Sovereignty Deuteronomy 1-3 Moses rehearses Israel s history with God. He reminds them of their successes and failures. He reminds them what God did and their actions and then God s response to what they did. He rehearses God s blessings when they were faithful to obey him and faithful to him. He rehearses their God s judgments when they were not. Moses wants to exhort them to obedience as they go and take the new home God has made ready to give them. From that we learn some vital lessons. 1. Remember and do not ever forget how we got here! the covenant setting 1:1-5 a review of God's faithfulness: a) God's guidance from Sinai to Kadesh 1:6-46 b) the march from Kadesh to the Amorite frontier 2:1-23 c) the conquest of the kingdom of Sihon 2:24-37 d) the conquest of the kingdom of Og 3:1-11 e) review of the distribution of the conquered land 3:12-20 f) Moses' anticipation of future blessing 3: Sovereignty of Jehovah, the Lord our God! Jehovah declares and reminds them that I am the Lord your God! a) Remember: 1. that they cried to him for deliverance and he gave it to them (Exodus 5-14). Do not forget the powerful images of God s work done right before their eyes, especially the death angel (Exodus 12), the Red Sea crossing, and the total annihilation of Pharaoh s great floating on the banks of the sea behind them! 2. the earth shaking majestic and fearful images of God giving them the law the first time before they rebelled (Exodus 20) 3. how God faithfully provided everything they needed and protected them from destruction and their enemy s in the wilderness those 40 years (Numbers) 4. that it is Jehovah who brought you to the banks of the Jordan that we will now finally cross for Him to give us the land of Canaan as he promised (Deuteronomy 1) b) I am the power and authority, it is my throne, that is to rule your land and your homes : 1. to lead you (Deuteronomy 1:1-8) 2. you are to submit to God, to obey his law (Deuteronomy 1:9-33) 3. to worship him (Deuteronomy 2)

7 Consider the nature of Israel s behavior here: a) Remember that they lived 430 years in bondage as slaves of an immoral, idolatrous, materialistic, and impure society! They were not ready to go home; the children were not ready. So, their 40 day journey home became a 40 year journey because they lost their way and God prevented them from going home. b) Israel lost her way because of rebellion and idolatry. They learned their lessons well from the corrupted and corrosive influence of their 430 years in Egyptian society. So, God took 40 years as used the wilderness purge out that corrupt and rebellious way: 1. cleansing them by the death of all those over 20 years of age 2. teaching and nurturing them to trust God, to submit to Him, to listen to and obey, serve, and worship him; to use the hardship of the wilderness journey to make them truly his people, to create in them the desire to be his people and the spirit that would be loyal him as their God. Yes, God punished or disciplined them but it was what they needed! c) Do not judge them too harshly. Ask yourself how you are and how we all are with our own lives; we love God and we trust him but we struggle to live by that love and trust when circumstances, conditions, situations, etc., changes for us as life moves along, sometimes from day to day d) Hebrews 12 So Deuteronomy is a declaration of God s law and repeated earnest calls (exhortations) to love and obey God. What does Christ teach us his disciples about the sovereignty of God in our lives? What is work of the rule of God in the believer s life? a) Christ is the Lord and the only Lord (Colossians 1:15-18) b) His mighty truth and power to overcome the work of sin (Mathew 4) c) obey Him (Mathew 7:21-28) d) it is the rule of Christ that equips us for the battle with evil (Ephesians 6:10-18) e) it is to live within you (Colossians 3:15-17) 3. Lessons to be learned from Israel s history of the Sovereignty of our God: The constant temptation and bombardment from our world to turn from God that we can easily loose our attention to God and his way, to turn our eyes from God and turn away from God; if our faith is weak our devotion will fail! We need godly leaders: a) family (Ephesians 6:1-4) b) marriage (Ephesians 5:22-33) c) church (Acts 20:28-30) d) civil (Romans 13:1-11) e) this will require godly spiritual people: 1. those who desire, know and love the Word of God and the will of God (Titus 2:11-14) who think and live by devotion to God, by the truth and will of God and his teaching, by the mind and heart and spirit of God, and by a sober attitude. 2. those who are wise, understand, and experienced (Deuteronomy 1:9-18) wise and good sense about life, who know people and how to handle them, and who

8 have had the training of doing these things; why? Because it is too much for one person and for any community or society to thrive in health and goodness you need those whose judgments and actions will be fair and just, who will not be afraid to do the right thing and to obey God. We need law: a) they were not ready to go on any further, not ready to enter the land God had promised them, until he first gave them his law (1:4-6) they would not know what God wants them to do once they are living there. b) without law, no one knows what to do; ask yourself what would happen to you without law? then, what would happen to any society without law? c) Follow Christ and you will know the way to go and it will give your true freedom (John 8:12, 31-32, 14:6) d) contrast the two legal systems; 1. law of Moses was a law of regulations and statutes (Deuteronomy Exodus 21-31, Leviticus) 2. law of Christ is a law of grace and truth (John 1:1-17, Colossians 2:1-14) The Lord our God is faithful and his steadfast love will never stop and his mercies will never end! a) consider his patience with Israel in the wilderness they rebelled against him when they refused to do what he told them to do and they turned to idolatry; each time he suffered them the consequences of their disobedience and each time he also provided them a means of salvation. What kind of law is that? b) The Lord our God judges our sin to condemn us and then he gives us his mercy to redeem us (Ephesians 1:7-11) c) God loves us too much to leave us in our sin he condemns it to bring us to repentance then forgives us in our repentance to redeem and save us (Romans 8:31-39) and his love will never fail us! Trust in the Lord and you will not fail, you will be faithful: a) in spite of everything that happened to them at their own hand and the hands of their enemies God brought them to the promised land, their home in God s grace! b) the strength to serve him while he delivers from the evil one, even from the mouth of sin and bring us safely home to Heaven! (2 Timothy 4:16-18) c) the strength to do his work while his power works through/in us to work his glory in the world! (Ephesians 3:14-21) d) the strength to do whatever I must do to live for him no matter our circumstances (Philippians 4:10-13) God chose us to be his people and he will make us his people! a) by the work of Christ we become God s people (Colossians 1:3-14, Ephesians 1:7-10) -- God s right to own us because he paid the ransom for us and we could not b) by the Spirit we have our witness before God that we are his people (Ephesians 1:11-14) c) by his work of deliverance Christ separated us from the world and so established our relationship with the world (2 Peter 2:9-12) I owe nothing to the world and I do not belong to the world!

9 d) it is a relationship of superior love for God and no love for world! (1 John 2:15-17) e) it is a relationship of absolute purity! (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1) God hates rebellion but forgives repentance: a) Israel in the wilderness: 1. why did they travel for 40 more years in the same desert? (Deuteronomy 1) 2. why did they suffer the plaques and death of the serpent? (Exodus 32) b) God suffered Moses the consequences of his disobedience but forgave his sin (Deuteronomy 3:24-29) could not enter but only see the promised land before he died but God gave him his eternal home of salvation c) God will not forgive the one who will not repent but he will forgive the one who will (1 John 3:4-10) what is the end of both?

10 Exhortation to Faithfulness Deuteronomy 4 1. To head and obey (1-8) Listen, take heed, to and obey the laws from God that Moses would teach to them (1-2) a) God s law -- He charges them to remember the sacredness and integrity of the divine law 1. there is no rationale or justification for disobedience and rebellion against God; there is no right or acceptable reason to not obey God 2. there is no fear or risk if you obey God that is greater than the cost if you disobey and rebel against God b) take heed and obey to give ear to, listen; give careful attention because you want to learn them; pay attention to with the intent to obey what you hear; pay attention because you want to submit yourself to and follow and live by what you learn in/from what you hear. 1. that is the heart, mind, and spirit of the disciple of Christ one who is willing and will put the will of Christ before his own when they are in conflict; Christ s will becomes his will; he deliberately chooses to live by Christ s way for life (Mark 8:34-36) 2. this is the work of Christ by knowing and doing his teaching, we can become what it will train us to be, make of us what God wants us to be (Matthew 28:18-20) 3. this is the necessity to study and learn God s Word (Titus 2:11-14) this is a work of God s grace to save you! it is not simply a book to carry around so you can look religious! 4. it is not simply compliance to what is heard but a lifetime of becoming and doing what it is to be a Christian that we are humble before God to willfully accept, become, and live what he teaches, that we are the mere image of what Christ teaches and so we do not feel a need rationalize, justify, or argue with God because we want to listen, follow, and be (James 1:19-27) c) obey them and you will live Why? How does obedience to God s law (Moses or Christ s) enable you to live? Why is life or living a result of this obedience? d) then you will be ready to take the land that God is giving you Why will taking heed to and obey God s make them ready to take possession of the land? e) You must obey the commands of God that Moses (Christ) has given us; therefore, you cannot add to or take away anything from God s law or the teaching of God s law the nature and character of authority.

11 Learn the lesson of your history (3-4) you are here today because remained faithful to the Lord your God and the others are all gone because they turned to rebellion and idolatry: a) God s judgment -- He reminds them how their own eyes have seen the judgments that have come in the past to all that have transgressed divine commandments, and how their obedience has brought them divine protection and blessing to this day. b) idolatry -- the attitude, mindset, thinking, character of an idolater toward God and the kind of life and society it produces c) worship Jehovah -- the attitude, mindset, thinking, character of an idolater toward God and the kind of life and society it produces d) why does one of God s own rebel against him? e) how does all this relate to: 1. nature of obedience (verses 1-2) 2. influence of faithfulness (verses 5-6) The influence or impact of your obedience (5-8) a) Their high calling -- He charges them as a nation to remember the distinguished honor that is put upon them in being trusted with the divine law and the direct revelation of His will, and reminds them that this is to be the glory and strength of their wisdom and their understanding in the sight of the nations. b) God works to teach us his way because it is his way and we need to learn it and live that way (John 14:6 and 20:30-31, Matthew 28:18-20) c) obey them carefully make every effort to follow them exactly in intent and instruction: 1. you will be wise you have power to live a good life because the way you follow gives you the ability to discern and make sound right judgment; the power to reason and think through a situation, circumstance, choice, decision, temptation (Colossians 1:9-11, Philippians 1:9-11) 2. you will be understanding sensible; you are the one who makes sense; the power to see through a thing and see it for what it really it is. 3. you will be able to show others the way a light shining out in the darkness of their world (John 8:12, Matthew 5:13-16) 4. God s law is much more than to obey the commandments of God it is the attitude, character, nature, spirit, thinking, ability, and skill to live the truly good and prosperous life d) God s will and power at work in us is to influence the world (Ephesians 3:14-21) e) Because God loves you -- There is no other God who can or will do for you what I have done! 1. Jehovah alone is the true and living God and He alone loves his creation!

12 He alone can save His creation! He alone has a people for his own possession! The glory and honor and dignity and worth of being God s possession, His treasure, His people!!!! 2. Consider the words of the prophets concerning the idols or Israel s neighbors f) Consider what God has done for his people: 1. the power struggle Pharaoh had with God he arrogantly thought he could win (Exodus 5-14) consider what the result of that struggle was for God s people and for Pharaoh s mighty army 2. the majesty God displayed at Mt. Sinai when he delivered the law to Mose (Exodus 20) the fear that overcame them 3. the destruction God worked at Jericho (Joshua 2) 4. the powerful challenge of Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18) 5. the incarnation and resurrection of our Lord and Redeemer (Matthew-- John) 6. the power of living in God s way (Romans 8:31-39) g) God loves us so and you are his no one else, not the world or anyone, has any right to you (John 3:16-17, 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1); no one else can do this!!!!!! 2. The divine source of the law (9-14) Scared memories -He specially impresses upon their hearts the remembrance of the majestic and solemn scenes amid which the law was given to them at Horeb with His living voice, and graven with His fingers on tables of stone, that they might be forever impressed upon their memory and hearts with lasting solemnity. a) God is at Mt. Horeb they were never alone, God was there!!!!! b) (Exodus 20) majesty and glory!; power, authority, and love c) (Matthew 17 and 28, Mark 4:35-41, Acts 2 and 16, etc.) all for redemption! Do not forget to teach the children of every generation so every generation learns of God and their faith will not die and they will not become rebellious! (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Ephesians 6:1-4) 3. Idolatry is forbidden (15-24) It is the greatest evil in the world it is the devotion and adoration of an idol: a) consider the nature of an idol it is dead and cold; it is lifeless, mindless, soulless, powerless, unless; it can do nothing, feel nothing, say nothing b) it is the religious devotion to something that is nothing it is a religion that is Inhumane, self-degrading c) it is used to promote and justify every manner of evil the worshipper desires to engage and practice d) the primary idol today is man himself man would make himself a god and promotes every belief system that suits that thinking. e) the heart of idolatry is rebellion against God and his way

13 Why is it such a problem for Israel? Why is it such a problem today for our world and the disciple of Christ and his church? a) for Israel: 1. Warns them to shed the influence of their past existence 2. Especially he warns them against the sin of idolatry, which he foresaw was to be their future national snare, and which involved a direct apostasy from their covenant, as a people, with Jehovah b) idolatry that tempts God s people today -- So, then, be careful! Do not sin and destroy yourselves by making (verse 16) How will idolatry destroy us!? Be careful that you are not tempted to worship and serve them (verse 19) a) Do not love the world and you will not be tempted or allured turn to idolatry (1 John 2:15-17) do not give life to an idol in our desire or lust of the flesh and the pride of human life b) Do love God and you will seek or desire to rebel against God and turn from Him (Matthew 6:19-34, 22:22-40) It was God who redeemed and saved and delivered you by pulling you from the hot furnace and you his special people, his possession (1 Peter 2:1-12) However, he can be the fire of judgment that will destroy you if you rebel and turn to idols (Hebrews 12:25-29, 10:26-31) So, be careful how you live to obey God s commands 4. Consequences of idolatry (25-31) God s Judgement Of Israel and her future restoration -- He next warns them in the most solemn manner of the judgment which shall come upon them and their posterity if they disobey and apostatize from Jehovah; at the same time he lights up even this dark future with the gracious promise that if, even in the lands of the enemy they shall repent and turn to God, He will mercifully forgive and even yet restore; the words are almost a literal prophecy of the trials that have actually come to these people. The greatest threat to God s people while living in this world: a) you will lose all that I have given you because it will turn you against God b) God is warning them now that if after they go into the land and take possession of it to live in it, but also take their idolatry, he will take that land away from them and scatter them all over the place they did and he did and they went into Babylonian captivity. But with every act of God s judgment God sent them mercy he said that he would not leave them alone and forsaken and condemned forever but that he would save them if they turn back to him with all of their heart and soul; he heard their repentance and restored them to the land he gave them to be home. Behold, the goodness and severity of God (Matthew 25:37-39, Romans 11:33-36)

14 5. Unique relationship between Jehovah and Israel (32-40) Because we are God s chosen people the relationship that exists between God and Israel does not exist anywhere else with anyone else He is faithful so be loyal and true to him trust him no matter what is going on around you!!!!!! So, do not fail to obey his commands; do not fail to be faithful to him (Matthew 7:21-28, Luke 6:20-26) 6. God provided refuge from the judgment of the law and the justice it requires (41-43) Cities of mercy in the face of judgment law does not and cannot provide your salvation/redemption requirements

15 Essence of God s Law and its Fulfillment Foundation of God s Law Deuteronomy 5, PART 1: The Foundation Commandments After we discuss the opening remarks, we will examine the foundation of God s law in this format: state the foundation commandment (from chapter 5) state the statues regarding those foundation commandments (from Chapters 12-25) lessons learned from those commandments the teachings of the new law of Christ 1. The agreement (5:1-6) The Lord God is calling them to their commitment a) Hear O Israel The Lord God calls them by their name! He is addressing them and no one else; this message, the declaration, this call, is to them and no one else! Know that I am calling you and I have not brought you here to die. I am calling you because I brought you here to worship and serve me b) The Lord Jehovah is calling you He himself uses his covenant name; he would remind that he is no god of the world but their God; he would stir within them the memories of the greatest exodus in human history; he would remind them of the deliverance at the Red Sea and his presence with them and before them in the wilderness for 40 years!; he would stir their commitment with the sound of his name! c) Hear the rules and statutes that I speak in your hearing today Moses is speaking to them the will of God for him; the Lord God Jehovah is calling them to listen to the will of God for them in the rules and statutes he will deliver to them from God (Hebrews 1:1-4, John 1:1-5) d) You shall learn them and be careful to do them this is what God has always intended his people and asked of his people to do, nothing more or less; to know and understand what God requires and willfully and deliberately live by his will; not by quilt or coercion, but by love and faith do we humble ourselves and submit to the law of God (James 1:19-27 and 4:7-10, Luke 6:46-49) Because the Lord God Jehovah made a covenant with them a) not their ancestors but with them who are alive and hearing the words that day; this was literally their covenant which they will later be charged to teach their children, who by following this charge and will of God will teach their

16 children and so on. b) now God s covenant is through Christ, not Moses, and also is for every generation that followed (Acts 2) c) who spoke to you face to face God delivered it personally! but they were afraid in his presence because of the great majesty and power of his presence -- the storm of lightening and thunder that spoke of his powerful presence (Exodus 20) The preface of the law (5:6) a) I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the world of idolatry and immorality, out of the place where you lived in slavery b) do you remember what you saw and experienced? that the authority of this law is demonstrated in what I did for you? that the basis for your humble submission to me and the cause of your obedience to me is demonstrated in what I did for you? c) Salvation by grace through faith, redeemed to be adopted and become his children, and then to live by our Father s will to become his heritage in this world, his legacy among the world of idolatry, wickedness, and unbelief. (Ephesians 1:3-11, 2:1-10, 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1) The difficulty in understanding these is not in the commandments themselves but in our unwillingness to accept them and in our unwillingness to obey because we want to do the sin the they condemn. So, the world wants to redefine what these and make every kind of justification for them in an effort to make them acceptable or appear to be not what the commands teach us to do. We do the same when sell the truth and buy into it so we can practice these sins without guilt in our own minds. These commands are self-explanatory. So, look at the spirit of this law as you see the teachings of Jesus and his apostles: 2. You must not worship any other gods but Jehovah (5:7; 12; 23:1-8 and 17-18) 1 Timothy 6:11-16 Acts 17 Romans 1: You must not make any idols (5:8-10; 13; 16:21-22; 17:2-7) Acts 17 Matthew 6:24 Romans 1: You must not use (take) the Lord s name in vain (5:11, 23:21-23) Matthew 22:34-37, 40 Matthew 5:33-34

17 5. You must keep the Sabbath a holy day like the Lord your God commanded (5:12-15) Hebrews 10: You must honor your father and mother (5:16; 21:15-21, 24:16-22) Ephesians 6:1-4 How does this work? 7. You must not murder anyone (5:17, 21:1-9, 22:8) Matthew 5:21-26 Matthew 5:44-48 Matthew 5:38-43 Matthew 22:38-40 Romans 12: You must not commit the sin of adultery (5:18, 22:13-30, 24:1-5) Matthew 5:27-32 Matthew 19:1-11 Romans 1: Corinthians 6: You must not steal (5:19, 22:1-4, 23:19-20 and 24-25, 24:6-7 and 10-15, 25:4 and 13-16) 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15, 1 Thessalonians 4:7-12 What do the Proverbs teach us about: a) stealing? b) laziness? c) work? d) benevolence? What do Christ and his apostles teach us about: a) compassion? b) benevolence? c) stewardship? 10. You must not (tell lies about other people) bear false witness (5:20, 19:15-21) Proverbs 6:16-19 Matthew 5: You must not want (covet) another man s wife, property, possessions, anything that belongs to him (5:21, 19:14, 23:15-16) Luke 12:16-21 Mark 10:17-31

18 Matthew 22:39-40 PART 2: Laws Concerning Other Selected Matters 1. Israel is God special people (14:1-2, 18:9-13, 25:17-19; 20; 21:10-14, 22:6-7) humility and respect before God to obey the most insignificant of God s laws (22:6-7) God s chosen people are a treasure to him; they are the people of all the peoples on the earth that God chose to be dedicated to him and his will (14:1-2) so it is your obligation to not become dirty and filthy and contaminated by the world. do not, you must not, allow yourself to become contaminated by, to trapped and allured to follow, the idolatry and all of its practices of the world (18:9-13) a) we belong to God for his purposes and not the world for its purposes and so we owe the world nothing; we owe God everything (1 Peter 2) b) we have been called out from the this wicked world of rebellion against God because it has rejected him and called into the family of God, call into the family of holiness (2Corinthians 6) the sin the wickedness, rebellion, idolatry, unbelief is your enemy and they will be many (20:1ff): a) so do not be afraid of this world because the Lord your God Jehovah is with you b) and do not be afraid or dread them, do not panic in their midst or dread them but be of good courage for god is fighting for you (Romans 8:31-29) c) offer peace but it they refuse and attack fight them (Romans 12:17-21) d) remove them from the land to remove their wickedness under Christ s law we remove the enemy and do battle to fight for their souls with preaching of the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20) 2. The unclean things (14:3-21, 21:22-23, 22:5 and 9-12, 23:9-14, 24:8-9, 25:5-12) unclean is personal defilement spiritual, moral, and physical do not defile yourself because God is in your midst!!! God is with you!!! stay clear of leprosy sin is like a leprosy 3. Giving one-tenth (14:22-29) 2 Corinthians 8-9 Mark 12:41-44 Philippians Year of cancelling debts (15:1-11)

19 owe no one anything but love because it resolves all matters and it seeks the well-being of all and to give the best treatment to all (Romans 13:8-10) 5. Year of giving slaves their freedom (15:12-18) every 7 th year give your slaves their freedom and send them on their way with generous provisions as God did for you when you were slaves remember te exodus! but if the slave chose to stay you mark him as a sign of his lifetime commitment to you! (Galatians 2:16-20 and 6:14-18) 6. Statutes regarding firstborn animals (15:19-23; 17:1) sacrifice for forgiveness one without blemish a) suffering servant (Isaiah 53) b) God s lamb for the entire world (John 1:29) dedicate it to the Lord your God a) dedicated for to be God s sacrifice our salvation (Luke 22:39-44) b) dedicated to serve for the gospel (Philippians 1:15-23) 7. Passover (16:1-8) death angel (Exodus) redeemed by lamb s to save from death the Lord s Supper (Matthew 26) 8. Harvest Festival (16:9-12) God will always provide for own (Matthew 6:25-34) God Himself is our provision and greatest blessing 9. Shelters festival (16:13-17) God will not leave his people defenseless God is our refuge 10. Judges and officers for the people (16:18-20, 25:1-3) godly men of wise and holy judgment, blameless and devoted, must lead God s people because their matters cannot be judged by the world 11. Difficult court decisions (17:8-13) keep their hearts pure of entanglements with sin so his heart wont be turned from God in the natters of law, obedience, and righteousness 12. How to choose a king (17:14-20) devoted to God to not be corrupted by the power and politics, etc. 13. How to support the priests and Levites (18:1-8) not corrupted by the material concerns not pressured by the cares of life

20 14. The Lord s special prophet and how to know the world s false prophets (18:14-19) God s prophet would not fail false prophet will not succeed because he will not have the truth 15. Refuge cities (19:1-14) grace of God he has always given mercy to his people law cannot give grace or mercy it can only punish the lawgiver must give mercy and grace law commands and punishes; his law teaches and commands but law cannot give save and forgive so the cities of mercy and the sacrificial system. Forgiveness is at the heart of Christianity (Luke 17:1-10) PART 3: The Response Of The People 1. The people were afraid of God (5:22-27) The Lord God gave us these commands with a great and fearful power (22) a) what/why is the world doing with the law of God and its authority? b) how/why do many Christians doubt or deny Christ s authority? c) how/why do some Christians trifle with Christ s authority? c) how/why do some reject him altogether? You hear the voice of God (23-25) a) they were believed they should die because they hear the voice of such glory, greatness, and power beyond anything man can ever possess and yet they were amazed that they still lived. b) So, then, go near and listen to Him; this glorious and great God wants to talk to you; this only true and living God wants to have fellowship with us. He could destroy us but he would use his power to save us and give us live and give us this law live our lives in goodness and true prosperity, peace, and joy. c) James 1:19-22, 3:17-28, 4:7-10 Philippians 2:12-18, Matthew 7: The Lord speaks to Moses (5:28-33) God will change the heart (28-29) We must learn his way (30-31) We must live this way (32-33) PART 4: Reflections

21 Christ teaches the spirit of his law that was always in the old law but not understood and it is the spirit of the life of a holy people; to live a life of: 1. The Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12, 5:44-48 w/romans 12:17-21) God s law teaches us how we are to treat each other; the basis of that treatment is how we want to be treated; no one wants any one to hurt them, misuse them, abuse them, otherwise wrong them or take advantage of them; a general principle to guide in every situation or circumstance, decision or choice, relationship or responsibility; this even includes our enemies we love them in that we always seek their good and salvation, we do not seek vengeance 2. Love (Romans 13:8-10, 1 John 4:7-21) The obligation of all of us is to love one another because we cannot love God if we do not love each other and because God loves each one of us and has loved before we were born and ever knew him; everything we do is to express the love of God to one another; everything we do is because we love God; we treat one another the way we because we love God more than ourselves. 3. Light (Romans 13:11-14, Ephesians 5:1-11) The spirit of Christ s law is the light of God; it is the light of truth and righteous morality, the light of all that is right and good, and true; it is a life that separates itself from the world because it actually shows the world the way of Christ, the heart and mind of and will of God. 4. Purity (Matthew 5:8, Titus 1:15) A man is what he thinks; he becomes what his mind desires and devours; we cannot produce a strawberry from a pinto bean or a a tomato from an okra seed; righteousness will not be produced when it is contaminated and polluted by sin. 5. Righteousness (Matthew 5:17-20, w/in context of Matthew 5-7; 2 Timothy 3:16-17) Christ s law is planted in the heart of the man and not scribed on chunks of stone. it is intended to produce a living righteousness and will not produce a righteousness that is does not change the person; then once it is planted it will change the person and life that person lives because it trains him in living a righteous life that follows the truth of God 6. Separation from the world (1 John 2:15-17) Christ law teaches and trains us not to love the world so we can love God; it teaches us to love God only and we will not love the world; Chris s law teaches and trains us to not love anything that does not love God. 7. Obedience (Matthew 7:21-28, Titus 2:11-14) The purpose of the law of Christ is life, a life that is lived that denies anything that is sin and to base life on the brevity of sin and righteousness and godliness; any law is useless without obedience, if it does not direct behavior (followed)

22 Essence of God s Law and its Fulfillment Nature of the Law Deuteronomy 6 Moses began by exhorting to them to obedience with a reminder of who their God is and his Sovereignty, and reminding them that faithfulness is not to be taken for granted. Then he discussed with them that faithfulness, prosperity, and a good life, that the strength and power of a nation and its people is their obedience to God the nature of obedience. In chapter 5, with chapters 12-25, Moses laid down the foundation of the law of God by which they are to live faithfully to God as they obey it. Here Moses discusses the nature of that law, its heart and soul. It is a declaration of the intent of the law. A constant through the book, throughout this record of the law of God for his people there is only one God and you are his possession. He is Jehovah the Lord your God and you are Israel the precious people of God. God s law is how you must live. Do not forsake God and you will live well. This was so with the law of Moses (Deuteronomy 6:1-9) This is so with the law of Christ a) when we humble ourselves to the Lord we will obey him; it is what we do; any pretense at it and we will fail in ruin while the effort to obey God will always bear the fruit of well-being (Matthew 7:21-28) b) discipleship is the devotion of the believer has with Jesus Christ his only Lord and Savior; obedience is at the heart of discipleship and discipleship will happen when you humble yourself to God to follow Christ s way because that is what you want to do (Mark 8:34-38) c) salvation is the reason for my devotion to Christ and obedience is the expression of that devotion (Philippians 2:12-18) This section of Moses declaration on God s law whose teaching is to make it their law talks of two threads of the spirit of obedience the thread of fear for God and the thread of love for God. 1. Always Obey God (1-3) Obey his authority (1) this is how they are to live Fear his authority (2) understand what God s authority is and humble yourself before him Listen to his authority (3) make it your desire to submit to God s authority and to obey his law

23 Understand and remember that Christ is the standard of our obedience to God and not any one of us; that if you are to gain an entrance into the kingdom that is God s, this is the only way (Matthew 5:19-20) 2. Always Love God (4-5) The Lord is your only true and living God (4) there is no other God to love: a) we are his offspring and his alone (Acts 17:22-31) Jehovah, the Lord our God is not created in our imagination; we did not make him, yet, he made us without anything from us; so, we owe nothing to any idol and we owe everything to God; so, believe, repent and obey. b) his ways are beyond our ways and his wisdom is beyond our reason (Romans 11:33-36) so, why would anyone challenge or test God? So, you must love the Lord your God (5) a) love the devotion to God that holds pleasing Him the greatest value and worth of your lif; this is your greatest treasure; you treat God with the highest devotion of which you are capable b) how do we love God? 1. with all of our heart love God with everything that you are, your thought and desire 2. with all of our soul love God with every ounce of your will 3. with all of our strength love God with every fiber of your being c) (Matthew 22:34-40) There is no other love that you live to serve (Matthew 6:24): a) you do not let the stresses and cares of living this life turn you away from God (Matthew 6:25-34) b) you do not love this world and none of it pleasures and riches (1 John 2:15-17) -- the world cannot love God, it cannot desire God and has no intention to serve God and obey Him; when yo love God, you will transcend the world and live above all of that c) you will not surrender to the will of another person to betray God (Matthew 10:33-39) not that you do not love folks but that you will not betray God for them 3. Always Remember the Commandments of God (6-9) Always remember the teachings of God s law (6) a) learn him in your youth while you still alive and full of the energy, strength, freedom, and courage to devote yourself to them (Ecclesiastes 12: 1-13) remember him and his law always that it become your nature because the purpose for our creation is to serve him. b) learn them well while the mind and soul are still moldable by God for the ways (teachings) of God will be able to do their work moat effectively for a better adult life (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

24 So, always teach them to our children (7-8) a) devote yourself to instructing our children in the ways of the Lord, to helping them to understand Go and his ways and develop the skills to live by them; engage them in discussions about God s way b) not when it is the right time but every moment may be a teaching moment 4. Always Remember the Promise of God (10-11) God s promise to Israel s ancestors (Genesis 12, 15, 17) -- that Abraham s descendants (whom they are) would be given by God a homeland to live; it was the reason for their deliverance from Egypt. We are that promise the part of that promise not mentioned here; that of Abraham s seed through Israel (Galatians 3) So, God s promise to his people today, the church that on the witness of our redemption, we will be delivered home and in God s presence forever. 5. Never forget the Lord your God (12-15) Be careful not to forget (12) that once you were slaves but God delivered you to this land he promised to give you; and so with us today, that once we were slaves to sin but in Christ God delivered us saved from its hold and end and put us into his kingdom (Colossians 1:13-14) How are we to be careful? (12-14) a) Be careful to remember whose you are (which defines who you are) and what God did for you (12) b) Be careful to fear the Lord your God (13) c) Be careful to serve only the Lord your God (13) d) Be careful to stand only by his authority (13) in everything (Colossians 3:16-7) e) Be careful to follow only the Lord your God and to never turn to follow idols of this world we live in that surrounds us (14) f) The deadly danger of betrayal (15) -- It will not go well with you and you will bring shame on the Lord s name 6. Never test the Lord your God (16-19) You must never test the Lord your God (16) do not rebel against him How do we make sure that we are not testing God? a) by making sure we obey his commands (16) b) by making sure we follow all the teachings and commands God has given us (17) c) by making sure we do what please the Lord (18) we must do what is right and good; that is how we do what pleases toe the Lord our God:

25 1. do what is right that which conforms to reason, fact, truth 2. do what is good that which is morally right and good and healthy 3. this is living the life of love (Ephesians 5:1-11) when you follow the ways of God, you will live a life of love as shown us by Christ; a life free of sexuality immorality and coveteousness and greed; free of the undisciplined and filthy wqy of life because that dsoes not belong to God s holy people. The result of not testing God (18-19) 7. Always Teach Your Children what the Lord your God did (20-25) Do not just tell them God s laws an teachings but teach your children what they mean (20) The foundation of our obedient way of life is not only the law of God but also what God did to deliver his people (21-23) The promise and reward of obedience (24-25) God s glory and your well-being

26 We are God s possession! Essence of God s Law and its Fulfillment Principles Deuteronomy We are God s chosen people (7) purity --- separation from the world (1-5) a) he chose from all the peoples of the earth and called them to be his people, to worship and serve him on the earth and he will bless them with prosperity, peace, and joy; we are pilgrims in this land that is not our promised home serving the will of God (1 Peter 2:1-12) b) and our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ will lead us all the way home through this barren land, as Moses lead Israel through the barren desert wilderness to the shores of the promised land (John 10) c) follow Christ and God will bless us with all the treasures of Heaven and we will even partake of the divine nature of God (2 Peter 1:3-11)!!!! holy separated to God ( 1 Peter 1:13-17); Because we are separated to be God s people, we have good cause and reason to obey and be faithful: a) God s holiness (6-11) the love of God who sacrificed his only Son to save us from sin (John 3:16-17); the love of the Heavenly Father for his children (Ephesians 1:3-14) b) God s steadfast love (12-15) Christ has promised he would take care fo his disciples (Luke 6:38, Matthew 6:25-34) c) trust in Him -- victory (16-26) our victory is the victory in Jesus that is our power of God s love to overcome and beat anything that would try to keep us from God (Romans 8:31-39); our victory is the power of our faith by the protection, strength, force of the armor that God has given us to wear; our victory is the eternal hope for which we live that renews our spirit everyday (2 Corinthians 4-5) God has chosen you to be his people and we live and die by his will and power, his authority and strength (Ephesians 1:3-14, 1 Peter 2:1-11) 2. Do not forget who is sovereign (8) past mercies (1-6) a) be careful, give devotion and committed attention, to obey, to live, the whole of God s commandments, and that is how your life will be good and your nation will be healthy (1) b) Everyday remember what God has done for you and that he lead you in the