Last wills and testaments are critical documents tells the intentions of the person who has died people fight over them

Transcription

1 THE DIARY OF A DYING MAN The book of Deuteronomy Dr. Jon McNeff, Senior Pastor February 12, 2017 Note: The following are the pastor s notes used in preaching this message. This is not a complete, word-for-word transcription of what was preached. These notes serve as a companion to the complete message, which is available by listening to the audio version. Bible quotes are primarily from NASB and ESV, respectively. Last wills and testaments are critical documents tells the intentions of the person who has died people fight over them Background: Author Moses how is this possible since Deuteronomy 34 contains his death? Last three verses written by close associate who knew him well probably Joshua Title Like previous books, the Hebrews title comes from first words lit. elleh haddebarim meant the words or these are the words Deuteronomy is Greek word meaning second law used in the Septuagint (Greek translation of Old Testament Hebrew into Greek in 280 B.C. to 150 B.C.) mistranslates Deuteronomy 17:18 future King of Israel who shall write for himself a copy of this law on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. lit. copy of the Torah not second giving of the law - torah = first five books of the Old Testament So Deuteronomy is not a second giving of the Law it s actually the preaching of the original Law given to Israel at Sinai Deuteronomy 1:3 written during 40 th year of wandering in the wilderness while waiting on plains of Moab to enter the land Purpose Deuteronomy 1:5 Across the Jordan in the land of Moab, Moses undertook to expound this law explain, elucidate Moses wanted to make sure they understood God s Law like explaining to teenagers when leaving no parties no people of opposite sex They were on the verge of entering with Joshua and Caleb in Numbers 13 turned back because of unbelief and disobedience everyone over 20 had died! One lesson OBEY GOD Moses also knew he would die before entering (Numbers 20:12) this is Moses impassioned farewell speech plea for people to remember God s Law what would you tell your kids on your deathbed? Buy Google stock? Invest wisely? Get a job? Or OBEY GOD Outline quick overview: 1) First sermon (Deuteronomy 1:5-4:40) a review of their history received Law at Mt. Sinai failed to enter at Kadesh-Barnea wandered in wilderness to plains of Moab remain faithful 2) Second sermon (Deuteronomy 5:1-11:32) Ten Commandments repeated summation of the Law this is the written record of the heart of man it s our spiritual DNA Romans 2:14 written on our hearts! He then talks about: The total commitment to the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:1 25) Separation from other gods (Deuteronomy 7:1 26) Warning against forgetting the Lord (Deuteronomy 8:1 20) Illustrations of past rebellion (Deuteronomy 9:1 10:11) Call to fear, love, and obey (Deuteronomy 10:12 11:32) Deuteronomy 12:1-26:19 laws, rules, and regulations that will govern all aspects of life worship food taxes festivals leadership property war crimes inheritance immorality marriage ends with plea to be faithful Deuteronomy promises and warnings 3) Third sermon Deuteronomy Deuteronomy Review of disobedience yet hope Conclusion Deuteronomy be strong in his absence (Deuteronomy 31:1-6); the installation of Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:7-15); last instructions to Moses (Deuteronomy 31:16-23); future rebellion (Deuteronomy 31:24-29); song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32:1-43); final instructions (Deuteronomy 32:44-47); the notification of his impending death (Deuteronomy 32:48-52); his final blessing of the people (Deuteronomy 33); and Joshua s account of Moses death (Deuteronomy 34) very poignant moments 1

2 But we will examine Deuteronomy by themes more personal I. GOD CHOSE ME God reminds them repeatedly of His sovereign care for them: Deuteronomy 7:6-8 For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the Lord brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Deuteronomy 10:14-15 Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. Yet on your fathers did the Lord set His affection to love them, and He chose their descendants after them, even you above all peoples, as it is this day. Deuteronomy 14:2 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. (ESV) God gave victory over Sihon the King of the Amorites and Og, the King of Bashan the last two kings that stood in the way of Israel Deuteronomy 3:2 Do not fear him, for I have given him and all his people and his land into your hand. God promised to drive out all the nations before them (Deuteronomy 9:6, 13; 10:16; 31:27) God hardens the hearts of kings and pharaohs (Deuteronomy 2:30) He reigns over the lying lips of false prophets (Deuteronomy 13:3) He gives and takes away understanding from the minds of his people (Deuteronomy 29:4) God s actions are never the result of our worth or actions Deuteronomy 9:4-5 indicates it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is driving them out before you. that he may confirm the word that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. This is not the God who helps those who help themselves. God acts for His own purposes. He is in complete control even over those who would do evil and distort the truth. Some reject the sovereignty of God because it s not a loving doctrine yet Deuteronomy 7:7 and 10:15 state that God chose Israel because of His love for them this is always set in the context of man s rebellion Romans 3:10-12 is clear that no one seeks him. Ephesians 2:1-7 states we were dead in your trespasses and sins....but God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Moses knew this! God chose Israel among all the nations of the earth simply because of His divine plan to bring them in to existence, provide for them, and bless them despite their sin. God did not choose them because of their righteousness or numerical strength. He chose them because of His eternal plan. God s redemptive plan is not about the redeemed it s about the Redeemer! Glory hole at Berryessa God provides! What part does man play in bringing rain? Nothing! II. I CHOSE GOD Deuteronomy also is a clear call to choose to obey God s Law Moses has exhibited this from very beginning Exodus 4 burning bush you ve got the wrong man but he obeyed Exodus 40:16 God told him how to set up the priesthood Thus Moses did; according to all that the Lord had commanded him, so he did. Numbers 17:11 Moses told to affirm Aaron s priesthood Thus Moses did; just as the Lord had commanded him, so he did. Numbers 20:27 when God told him to take the priestly garments off Aaron and place them on his son 2

3 Eleazer because Aaron was going to die because of his disobedience So Moses did just as the Lord had commanded get the idea Moses repeatedly chose to follow God Deuteronomy 30:19, 20 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. You can almost hear Moses pleading with the people to follow God begs them to choose God! Confounding truths to us how can God choose us and we choose Him? Which is it? Clarify free will God has given man free will that is consistent with his nature He has also given His Law binding on everyone Romans 2 says it is the spiritual DNA of every person A non-christian has free will to do whatever he wants God s providence works in the background in Exodus we saw that Pharaoh hardened his heart ten times and God hardened Pharaoh s heart ten times which was it? It was both Pharaoh exercised his free will to do what he wanted to do but Romans 9:17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth. Man can exercise his free will in anything that s consistent with his nature but his nature is evil from the time of his birth Ephesians 2:3 we are by nature children of wrath Ephesians 2:1 dead in our trespasses and sins Romans 8:7 the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so Romans 3:10 he doesn t seek God because he loves the darkness rather than light (John 3:19) 1 Corinthians 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. Romans 3:10 none who seeks for God so man is unwilling and unable to exercise his free will to choose God in any way But when we become believers we have new orientation to the Law we have been bought with a price, justified, washed clean, made alive in Jesus so now our free will can choose to obey the Law because we want to Jesus fulfilled all the Law so when we want to love and serve Jesus we choose to obey Him God requires five things Deuteronomy 10:12-13 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good? (ESV) we are required to: 1) fear the Lord; 2) walk in His ways; 3) love Him; 4) serve the Lord; 5) keep His commandments If He chooses us, then why are these things required? Our choice to follow Him confirms His choice of us 1 Samuel 15:22 to obey is better than sacrifice obedience means you get it the experience of worship is not as important as your obedience James 2:15-17 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and be filled, and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. You can talk the talk but if you don t walk the talk then the talk is meaningless At times you may be alone in responding to God like Joshua, who succeeded Moses Joshua 24:15 If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me Lord, Lord... 1 John 2:4 The one who says, I have come to know Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him even Jesus chose to obey Hebrews 5:8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. Why do we take wedding vows? To affirm and proclaim the reality of our love! They already love each other! 3

4 III. I LOVE THE LAW Deuteronomy 32:46-47 he said to them, Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you shall command your sons to observe carefully, even all the words of this law. For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life. And by this word you will prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess. Heart issue life itself! LOVING THE LAW Deuteronomy 6 The primacy of the Law Deuteronomy 6:1 Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the judgments which the Lord your God has commanded me to teach you, that you might do them in the land where you are going over to possess it The promise of the Law Deuteronomy 6:2 so that you and your son and your grandson might fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. Moses wanted them to know future blessing in their families do you want to have blessing in your life? Keep God s Law do you want to live a long time? Keep God s Law The presentation of the Law Deuteronomy 6:5-6 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. in Matthew 22:39 Jesus called this the great commandment second is like the first You shall love your neighbor as yourself if you love God, you will love His Law if you love His Law, you will love people These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. Psalm 119:97 David said, O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. Why? Look at advantages in next Psalm 119: Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies... I have more insight than all my teachers... I understand more than the aged... I have restrained my feet from every evil way do you love God s Law? The practice of the Law Deuteronomy 6:7-9 You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Loving the Law means we impart it to those we love our family o In the everyday affairs of life o When you go to bed o By the way you work sign on your hand o By the things that come into your mind - forehead o By the character of your home - doorposts Leaving Talbot guy ran red light! Cop caught him! I love the law! The red light saved my life! IV. I LEARN FROM THE LAW Poignant scene from Moses last days Deuteronomy 31:2 Moses birthday years in Egypt 40 in Midian tending sheep 40 leading Israel to Promised Land Deuteronomy 31:1-6 I won t go, but God will go with you Be strong and courageous Deuteronomy 31:14 Behold, the time for you to die is near Deuteronomy 34:7 says his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated God took him Deuteronomy 31:14 call Joshua to commission his successor Deuteronomy 31:15 The Lord appeared in the tent in a pillar of cloud, and the pillar of cloud stood at the doorway of the tent. Deuteronomy 31:16-17 The Lord said to Moses, Behold, you are about to lie down with your fathers; and this people will arise and play the harlot with the strange gods of the land, into the midst of which they are going, and will forsake Me and break My covenant which I have made with them. Then My anger will be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them and hide My face from them, and they will be consumed, and many evils and troubles will come upon them; so that they will say in that day, Is it not because our God is not among us that these evils have come upon us? What if a wedding were like this this woman is going to play the harlot with many men in the course of your marriage. 4

5 After all that Moses had done after 40 years of exhorting them to obey God s Law his final act is noteworthy Moses is saying goodbye Deuteronomy 31:24-26 It came about, when Moses finished writing the words of this law in a book until they were complete, that Moses commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying, Take this book of the law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may remain there as a witness against you. For I know your rebellion and your stubbornness; behold, while I am still alive with you today, you have been rebellious against the Lord; how much more, then, after my death? He knew neither he nor anyone else could live up to the Law! Very poignant act for a dying man [Girl at funeral I m so sorry Daddy! ] Disappointing our earthly father is one thing disobeying our heavenly Father is something else what do we do? Romans 7:11 For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. This is the beginning of salvation brokenness yields a repentant heart Great misunderstanding of Old Testament Law ignoring it results in secularism and chaos attempting to live by it ends up in rituals and legalism no one can live up to its demands attempts to ignore it end up in secularism Galatians 2:16 a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. The Law is a tutor Galatians 3:24 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor (paidogogos) to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION 1. What do you want put on your tombstone? 2. What was God saying in Deuteronomy 7:6-8? 3. How does Deuteronomy 30:19 relate to God s sovereignty? 4. What does Deuteronomy 32:46 teach us about the Law? 5. What does Deuteronomy 8:3 tell us about how to live? 6. What life lessons can you learn from Deuteronomy? 5