DEUTERONOMY 9-16 MOSES FAREWELL CONTINUED2012 Teaching by Jerry B Simmons

Teaching Transcript: Deuteronomy 9-16 Moses Farewell Continued

Well, this evening we're in Deuteronomy chapter 9. We'll be looking at chapters 9 through 16 as we look over the chapters that we read this week and looking at the Bible in three years.

Well, as we talk about the book of Deuteronomy, the name Deuteronomy means second law. And that's because Deuteronomy is really a retelling of the law of God and the things that we've been studying already in Exodus and Leviticus and Numbers. It's a review of those things that took place in those books.

This is a new generation of people. Remember the people were brought to the edge of the promised land. Israel was there. They were about to go into the promised land, but they said, no, we're too scared. We're not going to do it. And so they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years and that whole generation died off.

And so now a new generation has grown up and they're once again on the border of the promised land, about to enter into the promised land. And so Moses is telling them the things that he told the previous generation. It's the second telling of the law to this new generation that is about to enter into the promised land. And so this is a book that was written by Moses.

And it's really a recording of the messages or the sermons that he gave to the people to remind them of the things that God spoke to that previous generation. And so the theme is a call to commitment as he calls them as they enter into the promised land to be faithful. We'll see that this evening and we'll continue to see it as we read through the book of Deuteronomy together.

On our timeline, where we're at is there are the brown bar at the far right where it says wilderness. We're at the tail end of that when we're looking at the book of Deuteronomy because the children of Israel have been in the wilderness for 40 years. Now they're about to head out of the wilderness and then into the promised land under the leadership of Joshua. And of course, we'll see that as we head into the book of Joshua in a couple of weeks.

Here's kind of a zoomed in look at the timeline, the time in the wilderness when Israel came out of Egypt. God provided them with manna one month after they left Egypt. They went to Mount Sinai. God gave them the law and the tabernacle. They got that set up about a year after leaving Egypt. And then they went to Egypt.

They got to the edge of the promised land about a year and a month. Numbers chapter 10 verse 11. They said we're not going to enter in. So they wandered the wilderness for 40 years. Now in the book of Deuteronomy we're in the 40th year. They left Egypt 40 years ago and now they're finally about to head into the promised land. And this in essence is Moses's farewell address.

At the end of Deuteronomy chapter 34, Moses actually goes up on the mountain and dies. And so this is his goodbye message, his final exhortation to the people before they enter into the promised land. Well, the geography of Deuteronomy is pretty simple. We have Egypt there where Israel was in bondage for several hundred years. They were brought out of Egypt by Moses. They went down to Sinai. God gave them the law.

They went up to Kadesh Barnea, which is where they sent the spies into the land. They said, oh, we're too scared. We're not going to enter in. So they wandered the wilderness and then they went around Edom up through Moab. And right now on this next slide, you can see where they're camped. So they went there on the right hand side of the Dead Sea, the Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee.

which you see on the top there. And they're camped right there across the Jordan River, directly across from Jericho. And again, they're about to cross the Jordan and enter into the land that God had promised to them. And so they're there right on the edge, and Moses is delivering these words to encourage them and remind them of what God has said and what God has done. Well, that brings us now to our first chapter this evening, which is Deuteronomy chapter 9.

Verse 6 is the key verse. It says, We see in the first part of chapter 9 verses 1 through 6, God wants to make it clear that

You are not receiving this land that I've promised to you because you're so righteous, because you're perfect, because you're good, because you've done such good things. It's not your righteousness that is providing you this land. It's their wickedness that is costing them the land. It's their wickedness that's causing me to bring forth this judgment upon them. The

The real issue with the inhabitants in the land of Canaan is that they were in full-out rebellion against God. And so God is saying, look, I'm driving them out before you because of their wickedness. You're not going to have victory because of your righteousness, but because of their wickedness. He wants them to remember, to make sure that they understand it's not because they are righteous. Now,

Now this does line up with what God had spoke to Abraham in Genesis chapter 15 verse 16. You might remember God spoke to Abraham and told him that his descendants would inherit the land of Canaan.

Well, as he's giving him that promise and telling him they're going to inherit the land, he says it's not going to happen right away. He says in the fourth generation they'll return here. And then he explains why in Genesis 15 verse 16. He says, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.

We see, as we look at the history, that God allows a people to rebel against him to a certain extent, to a certain point. And when they reach that point, now it's not a line that we can define, but he knows where it's at. And when they reach that point, then he says, I will not put up with this any longer. The wickedness is too great, and so he will bring judgment upon that people.

That took place in the nation of Israel later on. It took place in Assyria and Babylon and Rome and so on and so forth. Well, the Amorites, the Canaanites, those who lived in the land where God was bringing them, they were in rebellion against God. But it wasn't a condition where God was ready to bring out full judgment upon them. He was giving them opportunity to repent. He was giving them a chance to turn around and turn to Him.

And so he told Abraham, it's going to take a while. Fourth generation will come in when their sin is complete, when they've had their full chance to repent and turn and get right with me. And so he reminds them, it's not about your righteousness. It's because of their wickedness. Their wickedness is now complete. They've reached the limit of what God will allow. And so God is going to be bringing judgment upon this people.

And so as God brings them into the promised land, he's doing two things. He's fulfilling his promise to Abraham, but he's also at the same time bringing judgment upon this severe wickedness that is taking place within the land. Well, then in verses 7 through 24, Moses says, remember how you provoked the Lord.

He wants them to remember, again, that it's not about their righteousness. God is going to be working and blessing them, but it's not because they're so good. It's because he is so good. In verse 7, it says, Remember, do not forget how you provoked the Lord your God to wrath in the wilderness. From the day that you departed from the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against the Lord.

Moses says, look, there hasn't been a day that's gone by that you've not rebelled against God. From the very day, as soon as you left Egypt, you were already complaining and rebelling against him. And then all the way until today.

And we have the examples of that. The golden calf that of course happened at Mount Sinai while Moses was up on the mountain. In verse 22 it talks about the time from Numbers chapter 11 when they complained before the Lord and God brought fire amongst them as a judgment. They complained of thirst also. We see that in verse 22. And then the intense craving for meat that we also found in Numbers chapter 11.

And then verse 23, he mentions when they came to Kadesh Barnea and they refused to enter into the land. And so these are just a couple examples of how they've disobeyed God, rebelled against God, just refused to hear and to heed what he has to say.

Well, then in verses 25 through 29, you have Moses interceding for Israel. He's reminding them, God wanted to bring out judgment upon you, but I interceded, I prayed, and God relented. And so he did not bring the judgment that you deserved in these rebellions that you've done against the Lord.

Deuteronomy chapter 10 verse 12 is the key verse. It says, 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, and to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Here in chapter 10 verses 1 through 5 we have the new tablets. When Moses came down the mountain with the tablets, with the ten commandments from God,

And he saw the people worshiping this golden calf that they had set up. You might remember he cast down the tablets and they were broken in pieces. And so God now, after Moses has dealt with this golden calf, says, all right, Moses, you know, cut out some new tablets. Let's do this again. And so he goes back up the mountain and God once again writes the Ten Commandments on the tablets.

Then in verses 6 through 11, we have the tribe of Levi separated. And so of all the families, the tribes of the nation of Israel, Levi was set apart to serve the Lord, the tabernacle, later on the temple. And so the priests are from the tribe of Levi. And then the Levites also would serve in carrying the things of the tabernacle and doing the work of the tabernacle. Verse 12 through 22 though says,

He asked the question, what does the Lord require of you? What is it that God requires? And I think this is very interesting for us to consider. Essentially, what God requires of the nation of Israel, but also we can look at this in light of what God requires of us today. What God requires of you is that He be your Lord. This is what He requires. We see that again in verse 12. What does the Lord require of you?

but to, and then he lists four things, to fear the Lord, to walk in his ways, to love him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. If you ever want to know what God requires of you, here's what it is. Here's what he requires of us. First of all, that we would fear the Lord.

that we would have this reverence for him, that we would have the fear of displeasing him, and that we would have the fear of judgment. Not that we're thinking that God's always out to get us, but that we would understand that if we rebel against God, that he will bring discipline, he will bring chastening, and he will cause us to be corrected. What does he require of us? To fear the Lord, but also to walk in his ways.

God calls us to walk in the ways that He has instructed us. To put into practice the things that He's called us to do. To live in a way that honors Him and glorifies Him and represents Him. But then also to love Him. That is to put Him first. That He is first and foremost in our hearts and lives. That He is the primary passion of our lives and the primary passion of our hearts.

And then we are to serve Him with all of our heart and all of our soul. Again, that we are to be working towards the things of the Lord. That we're to be doing the things that He's called us to do. The things that He desires. The things that He requires.

And so what does God require of you? These four things. To fear Him, to walk in His ways, to love Him, and to serve Him with all of your heart and all of your soul. In summary, God says, what I require of you is that you make me your God, that you make me your Lord, that you devote yourself entirely to me. That's what God requires, and He will accept nothing less.

Well, that brings us to Deuteronomy chapter 11. Verse 24 is the key verse. It says, every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours. From the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even to the western sea shall be your territory. Well, as Moses is addressing the people, he reminds them in verses 1 through 7 that they have seen God's chastening.

He says there in verse 2, he says, He's reminding the people that he's speaking with, listen guys, you've seen God do amazing works.

Now, this is the younger generation, but they still saw God work. They might have been teenagers when it happened, but they saw the crossing of the Red Sea.

They saw the chastening that came forth as we saw in the book of Numbers, all the different rebellions that took place and how God brought chastening and he brought judgment to those rebellions. And they were young, but they saw, they watched God work in these ways. And so Moses says, remember, I'm saying these things to those who have seen that God works. Essentially, he's saying, look, you're accountable for what you've seen.

Your children, he says, they didn't get to see those things. So they will be accountable in a different way. But you've seen the Lord work and you are accountable for that. You know that he is real. You know that he chastens those who rebel against him. And so this evening I would ask you to consider, have you seen God work? Have you ever seen him work miracles? Have you ever seen him

change people's lives? Have you ever seen him bring discipline and chastening in other people's lives or perhaps in your own life? Have you seen God work? Because if you have, then you are accountable to a higher degree because you've seen God at work. You've seen him on the move. You're accountable for what you've seen. You're accountable for what is written in the scriptures.

I would even go on to say you're accountable for what's written in the Bible even if you don't read it. Because God has preserved His Word for us and delivered it to us and it's incredibly accessible to us.

And we're accountable for those things. And so he reminds the nation of Israel and he reminds us, listen, you've known about, you've heard about, you have access to the things of God. And so you're accountable to those things. And so therefore, in verse 8, keep every commandment. Therefore, since you've seen God work, since you know he's real, keep every commandment.

Then you must obey him. Keep every commandment which I command you today, that you may be strong and go in and possess the land which you cross over to possess. God has a calling for you. He has a work in your life. You've seen him work, so be strong, obey him, and you will fulfill his will for your life. Well, in verses 13 through 25, then, he gives the blessings of obedience.

There's great blessing for obedience to God. There's great blessing that comes with walking in his ways and keeping his commandments. You know, God doesn't make up commands just to, you know, cause us to jump through hoops. I don't know if you've ever seen that commercial, but it's a little girl and she's got the dog jumping through hoops just constantly, right? God's not doing that. He's not just saying, all right, let's see what I can make these people do and I'll just have a good time watching them jump through hoops.

God gives us commands because they're good for us. They're what's best for us. And so when we involve ourselves in obedience, in doing what is best for us, there's natural blessings that result. There's blessings from the Lord, but just also the blessings of doing what's right and doing what's best. And so God says, when you are obedient, there will be blessings that are poured out upon you as a people.

One of the specific ones he mentions here is there'll be rain in its season. Now, in the nation of Israel, they are very dependent upon rain. Water is a scarce resource. And God said, look, if you're faithful and obedient to me, if you keep my commands, I

I'm going to make sure that you receive rain in the seasons that you need it. There was the early rains, which would be the October to November time frame. And then the latter rains, which would be in the time frame around April. And these two sets of rains would be essential for the crops that they would be growing.

And so God says, look, if you keep my commandments, if you're walking with me, then I'm going to bless you with the rain that you need, the water that you need. And he compares it to Egypt.

Egypt was a different place. They had lots of water right there at the Nile River, but to get water to their fields to be able to plant, they had to work. They had to do the irrigation themselves. They made these pumps that they would use with their feet to pump water out of the river to get it to the fields, and it was a lot of work to get water to it. God says, it's not going to be like that in the promised land. If you keep my commands,

There's going to be an abundance of water. You'll get the rain in its season that you need. Another blessing that he mentions is that he will drive out the nations before them. So if they're obedient to him, then they're going to also be victorious in battle and no one will be able to stand against them.

Well, then in verse 26 through 32, he presents it as a choice, the blessing and the curse. You get to choose. You have before you a blessing and a curse. Now, we're going to see this much more clearly in Deuteronomy chapter 28, 29, and 30, where

God goes through the blessings and the cursings that are promised that go along with the law that he's given to them. And so they will be looking at that later on in those chapters of Deuteronomy. Well, verse 24 is an interesting verse because he says, "...every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours."

And so one of the promises of their obedience is that God will go before them and wherever they put their foot, it will be theirs. Now that wasn't applied to the whole world, but he set some boundaries. From the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even to the western sea shall be your territory. So here's a map of

of the region of Israel. The land of Canaan, or what we know as Israel today, is the bottom left there where you see the Dead Sea, the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River runs down from the top there to the bottom. And that is the region known as Israel. Now, the Western Sea is the Mediterranean Sea. That was their western boundary. The southern boundary would be the wilderness or the desert down south of the Dead Sea.

The northern boundary would be the area of Lebanon, which is a little bit higher up, a little bit farther north than the Sea of Galilee. And then the river Euphrates is the boundary that's really interesting. So there's a couple of ways that this could look, and there's some different ideas from different scholars about the land that was promised to Israel. So this shows the section that's...

to be the land that was promised here, the borders that God gave them. So you have the desert in the south, you have the western border, you have the Sea of Galilee, and then the Euphrates River is a very long river. And so going up north like this, it hits the Euphrates River and that could be the top boundary for the land that was promised to Israel. Now that's one understanding of this verse. Another understanding would look more like this.

where the idea would be the whole Euphrates River is what God intends. And so not just that, you know, little strip, but all the way to essentially what would be Babylon or Iraq today is the land that God was promising to them.

There's good scholars on both sides. But if you ever hear anybody say, you've probably heard teachers say this, you know, Israel only took 10% of the land that God gave to them. Then you know right away that someone who says or believes that this is the land that God had allotted to them. Because this

right here actually looks very similar to the kingdom of Solomon. And we'll see that later on as we get through those books. But the kingdom of Solomon extends all the way to the Euphrates River and looks pretty much identical to this. And so it could be that that was the full extent of the land that God gave to them. Or if it was this, then it was true. They didn't take very much of the land that God apportioned to them. So

You can wrestle with that and play around with that in your mind. And we'll continue on to Deuteronomy chapter 12. Verse 5 is the key verse. It says, Here verses 1 through 14, we have the instruction for them to seek the place that God chooses to put his name.

When Israel went to Mount Sinai and God gave them the tabernacle, he designed the tabernacle to be portable. And so as they're moving from place to place throughout the wilderness, they would break it down. It was very easy. It was kind of like a big tent. And so they would break it down, pack it up, and they would move it to the next campsite. And then they would set it up again. And so every time they moved, they would break it down and set it up.

And so that was sufficient for their time in the wilderness as they traveled. But God here is saying, look, when you get into the promised land, there's going to be a permanent location for the tabernacle. There's going to be a permanent location for people to meet with me. He wanted a permanent place in the land.

And so he says, once you get into the land, find that place. Seek that place that I've chosen to put my name. Now he doesn't specify it here, what place that is. But we do find out later on what place that is. And I'll come back to that in just a moment. In verses 15 through 28.

He goes through the laws regarding eating meat because they were holy people to be set apart to the Lord. They had certain dietary restrictions and instructions that they were to follow.

So they were able to eat the clean animals, but not the unclean. And there was specific ways that they were supposed to do that. So he gives the example of a gazelle or a deer, those animals, those mammals that they would hunt, that they would be able to eat those as long as they, first of all, drained it with the blood, but they'd be able to eat it in their homes and wherever they were at.

But there were certain animals they were also supposed to eat before the Lord at the place that God chose, going back to that one location that he is going to be establishing. And so verse 17 and 18 describe for us the tithe they're supposed to eat before the Lord. They can't just eat it anywhere. The firstborn of their animals were to be devoted to the Lord, but not in a way that, you know,

Well, they were to be devoted to the Lord in that they were to bring it to the temple or bring it to the tabernacle and offer it to the Lord and then also partake of it and have kind of a feast together with their family.

When they made vows and promises to the Lord, it would also involve sacrifices. And they were to do those sacrifices at the tabernacle, at the place God chose. And then, of course, all the sacrifices and offerings were to be there as well. But remember, many of the sacrifices, they partook of. They got to eat the sacrifices that they were offering in many cases.

Now regarding their flocks and herds, he also gives instruction. So their cows, their lambs, their goats, if they were close enough to the place that God chose, then they were to offer it as a sacrifice and eat it there at the place God chose, at the tabernacle or later on at the temple.

But here he also gives them permission if they're too far away that they can do so at their homes wherever they're at. If they're too far to travel to the place that God chose. So while they're in the wilderness, the instruction is...

Every animal of your herds, of your flocks that you sacrifice or that you put to death to eat, you have to do so as a sacrifice at the tabernacle because they're in the wilderness. They're camped all around the tabernacle. They're not too far away and so they are to do that. But as they go into the promised land, then it depends on where they're at in relation to the place that God chose, whether or not that they can offer it to the Lord or have it in their own town and eat it there.

Verse 20 is a very important verse. I think it's Pastor George's favorite verse because we really enjoy the Korean barbecue. It says,

Notice this. Pastor George has it underlined. You may eat as much meat as your heart desires. So all you can eat meat, it's okay. It's sanctioned in the scriptures. All right, verses 29 through 32, he also gives the instruction not to worship like the other nations.

As God is driving out the other nations before them, he says, don't learn to worship like they worship. And here we get a little bit of insight into how wicked these people were and why God was bringing this judgment upon them. Because in verse 31 it says, for they even burned their sons and daughters.

as part of their worship to their false gods, they would sacrifice their own children in the fire. And so God says, don't learn their ways. Don't practice those things. They're completely wicked. That's why I'm bringing judgment. So don't follow their example. Unfortunately, we do see later on, Israel does follow their example, but he forbids them to do so.

Well, here we have a map with the place that God chose to put his name. And we learn later on in history that it is a place called Jerusalem.

If you ever wonder why Israel and the city of Jerusalem specifically is in the news so much and there's so much contention and fighting around it, it's because it's the place that God has chosen to put his name. And so there's fierce battles that take place, spiritual battles and physical battles regarding this place where God has chosen. And he says, this is the place where I've chosen to put my name.

Remember in Deuteronomy 12.5, he says, you shall seek the place where the Lord your God chooses. And what is that place? Well, we find out in 1 Chronicles chapter 11, David is made king of Israel. And verses 1 through 3 talks about that. But then verse 4 goes on to basically explain his first act as king is to conquer Jerusalem.

Although Israel had been in the land for a long time, they'd never conquered Jerusalem. And David makes it his first priority. He conquers Jerusalem. And you could think, you know, why Jerusalem? Is he just a king trying to conquer Jerusalem?

No, because David had a unique relationship with the Lord. And I believe he sought the place where God chose to put his name and realized this is something that God wants to do. This is the place where God has chosen to put his name. David is walking with the Lord and hearing from the Lord in this conquering of Jerusalem that he does. How do we know? How do we know that this is the place where God chose to put his name? Well, the

There's a lot of ways we could look at this, but a quick example is Genesis chapter 22. There in Genesis 22, God puts Abraham to the test and he says, I want you to sacrifice your son, your only son, Isaac. Now he's not going to allow Abraham to do it. It's just a test. But in order to fulfill this test, he says, go to this mountain, which I will show you. And so he goes up to Mount Moriah and

and is about to offer his son as a sacrifice, but God stops him and does a mighty work there with Abraham. Well, then later on in 2 Chronicles, we find that it is that same mountain, that same location where David will instruct his son Solomon to build the temple. So the place where God chose to put his name is the place where originally he tested Abraham with this symbolic...

prophetic shadow of Christ being crucified. And so there you have Abraham fulfilling that, you know, foreshadowing that crucifixion of Christ and the son being put to death or sacrificed. You have David later on instructing Solomon, build the temple here where Abraham, you know, was offering up Isaac. And then of course,

Beyond that, you have Jesus Christ crucified there at Jerusalem as well. And so that is the place that God has chosen to put his name. And that is not just something for the Old Testament, but that continues on today. Verse 13, I'm sorry, chapter 13, verse 10 is the key verse. It says...

And you shall stone him with stones until he dies, because he sought to entice you away from the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt from the house of bondage. Here in chapter 13, he deals with those things which would lead people away from the Lord. In verses 1 through 5, he deals with false prophets. And he says, you are to put false prophets to death.

You're not to put up with them. You're not to allow them to continue on. You're not to just kind of try to ignore them or show mercy or compassion to them. False prophets must be put to death. Now, it's interesting here because God gives some specific details. He says, even if they tell the future or work miracles, even if there's some supernatural aspect to their ministry, if they're a false prophet, you're to put them to death.

God says, look, if they're foretelling the future, if they're able to, you know, say what's going to happen before it does, or they're able to work miracles, he says, I'm doing this in order to test you. I'm allowing it to take place to test your heart. Because the reality is, the test of a prophet is not whether or not they can work miracles or tell the future.

The test of a prophet is their message and does it line up with what God has declared and God has said. And so there's a great danger. It reminds me of Galatians chapter 1 verse 8 where Paul is writing to the church of Galatia who's turned away from the gospel toward this message of legalism that you have to follow these rules and follow these laws in order to be right with God.

And Paul's writing to correct them and rebuke them for turning away from the gospel of grace. And he says in Galatians 1.8, even if we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. Paul says, look, even if an angel were to appear in the room and pronounce a message, you're not to believe it,

If it doesn't line up with what God has declared, if it's not in agreement with the message that we've received, if it's not in agreement with the gospel, even if it's an angel and it's supernatural and wow, it's exciting and whoa, it's overwhelming and oh, it must be God. Well, if the test is that something supernatural is taking place, then we will be deceived.

Because Satan works signs and wonders. Satan is able to perform miracles. And ultimately, the Antichrist who will come on the scene is going to be working miracles and doing signs and wonders in order to cause people to believe him and say he must be from God. And so we will be in danger if we are just looking at supernatural works.

David Guzik said, those who are immediately convinced at the sight of supernatural power or reality are in danger of great deception. And so I want to encourage you, watch out for false prophets. Watch out for those who would lead you astray. It doesn't matter if they can do great works. It doesn't matter if they, you know, can tell the future.

Does it match what God has said? That's why we need to know the scriptures and know the word of God so that we are not led astray even though people will come on the scene and do great works. Well, God says if anybody is a false prophet, it's the death penalty for them. You're not to put up with it. Don't allow it. Don't allow it to continue on.

Well, then in verses 6 through 18, he goes on through a variety of scenarios, but he says, put to death those who entice others to worship false gods. So whether it's your family member, your close friend, whether it's a town or a city within the nation, he says, you're not to allow that to continue on where they're saying, hey, come worship these gods with me. Hey, look what I've learned. Come follow. Hear what I've discovered here in worshiping this god.

You're not to put up with that. You're not to hide them. Oh, it's my cousin. You know, I don't want to get him in trouble. He says, no, no, no. They are to be put to death. You're not to show partiality. You need to deal severely. Now, it may sound harsh, but God is protecting his people from deception and eternal judgment. Because if they turn away from God...

Well, their end result is far worse. And so God is saying, look, you must deal severely and harshly with those things or those who would lead you astray. I think it's a good encouragement for us today as well, though, to look closely and carefully at our lives and say, what is it that is seeking to lead you astray? Now, we're not to put anybody to death.

Israel was in a unique situation because the nation as a whole was serving God. And God was their Lord, their following God. And so the government was established to also enforce the Jewish religion and the laws that God had established.

We live in a different government context. Now, if the United States one day wanted to turn and fully get right with the Lord, that'd be a different context. But we don't have the liberty in our government, you know, to just put people to death because we don't think that they're, you know, a righteous prophet or a true prophet. Jehovah's Witnesses knock on your door, you know, you're not to chase them with a baseball bat or something. That's not appropriate, okay? We live in a different era. But it is a good challenge for us to consider, okay?

What is it that's enticing your heart? And it might be a person. It might be a family member. And you know, you might have to not put them to death, but cut off that relationship and say, you know what? I need to follow the Lord. And this person, this situation, this television program, this whatever is trying to keep me. It's trying to entice me away from God. And we need to cut those things off. Don't put up with them.

Even if it's with their family. You know, they're close. Don't put up with those things. Don't allow those things to entice you and to continue to tempt you to lead you away from the things of God.

Well, that brings us to Deuteronomy chapter 14. Verse 2 is the key verse. It says, So in verses 1 through 2, he's explaining to the people, you're a holy people.

That word holy, it means to be set apart. Or as some commentators put it, you're to be different. You're not to be like everybody else. You're unique. You're special to me. You're to be set apart and devoted to me. And as a result of that, in verses 3 through 21, he reviews again the clean and unclean animals.

They were to only eat those animals which were clean. And so he reviews what that looks like. Now these are things that we studied in Numbers and Leviticus, the instruction that God gave there. Basically for as far as mammals are concerned, they could eat the ox, the sheep, the goat, the deer, gazelle, antelope. Those which had a divided hoof and chew the cud, they were able to eat. When it came to

animals in the water. God instructed them that they could eat anything that has fins and scales. If it doesn't have fins and scales, then they were not to eat it. And then also they may eat the birds that are considered clean or pronounced clean by the Lord. And so they had their specific animals that they were able to partake of, again, because they were a holy people, unique and different, set apart for the Lord.

Well, then verses 22 through 29, he gives them the instruction to it to tithe all the increase of their field. And he gives them instruction regarding their tithe. Now, the word tithe, it means a tenth or 10%. And so they were to give to God 10% every year of the increase from their land. And so as they sowed seed and the land produced fruit or vegetables or grains, whatever it was, then they were to take a tenth of that

and give that to the Lord. Now a portion of that tenth that they gave to the Lord, they also would eat there at the place God chose, and it was part of a feast that they would have with the Lord. But the rest would go, and it would be providing the needs for the priests and the Levites and the poor of the land.

The firstborn, he also gives the instruction for again, the firstborn animals, the tithe that they're able to eat, they're to do so at the place that God chooses, which we later on find out is Jerusalem. If the journey's too far, and so you have this massive amount of grain, which is 10% of all that God gave you, he says, okay, you can sell the grain,

Take the money that you get from it, then go to Jerusalem, or the place that God chose, buy something to eat there, and have a feast before the Lord there with the money that you gained from that grain that you sold that was the tithe.

Then he also gives instruction that tithe for every third year. So every three years, the tithe was also not just to be for the priests and the Levites, but also to be for the poor, for the fatherless, for the widow, for those who didn't have means to provide for themselves. And so the tithe every third year would also help support those who are in need in that way. Well, that brings us to Deuteronomy chapter 15. Verse 6 is the key verse.

Here in Deuteronomy 15, we have instruction regarding the releasing of debts there in verses 1 through 6.

And so God has specific instruction for them. And it looks nothing like what you and I are familiar with today in regards to debt and service and things like that. So every seven years, they were to release the debts or to grant a release of debts. Now, there's some discussion that could be had regarding whether this is a full release or

where the debt is cancelled or whether it's a release of payments for that year. In other words, every seventh year it could be that, alright, you don't have to pay back anything on your debt. You're not incurring extra interest or anything. It's just a break every seven years and you don't have to make payments.

Because the year of Jubilee, which was every 50th year, was the full release of debts and property went back to its original owner and all of that. And so it's possible that that's what he's referring to, that it's a release of the payments of that year as opposed to a release of the debts. But the point is, God is instructing here that they are not to live in this continual debt, that they're not to have the poor among them in that way, but that they're to let those debts go

when it's their Hebrew brethren. In verses 7 through 11, he instructs them to open their hand to the poor. He wants them to be generous, to lend, to give, to provide, to meet needs, to see those needs and to just give them whatever they need to help them and to have compassion upon them. And it's important for us to do the same, to have our eyes open to those things and minister to those who are poor among us.

In verses 12 through 18, we have the laws regarding Hebrew slaves. So this is talking about a person who has put themselves in a condition where they owe an amount of money that they're not able to pay back. And so instead of paying the money back, which they can't do, then they become the slave of the person that they owe money to.

Now, God gave instruction for this. He says, with your brethren, with Hebrew slaves, you are to release them in the seventh year and send them out with supplies. So, the idea here is kind of like bankruptcy. So, if you go bankrupt and you can't pay all of your debts, then you go into slavery for a maximum of six years.

That's the most that you can serve. And then the seventh year you would be set free and they were to provide you with resources to be able to make a new start. And that was a way that God was dealing with those who got themselves over their heads in debt.

There was also an opportunity though in this portion to become a servant forever, a servant for life if he desired. And so he talks about there, you know, if you choose, you know, you're serving this master, you say, hey, this is great. I want this for the rest of my life. Then you could make that choice. He would pierce your ear, you know, running an awl through the doorpost or through your ear into the doorpost. And it would be the sign that you were to be the permanent servant or slave of that master.

And that is known as a bondservant or a doulos in the New Testament, which is how Paul the Apostle and the other guys, you know, describe themselves and describe us, that we are to be that kind of slave to the Lord, that we're voluntarily choosing to serve him, to surrender our lives to him, and to serve him forever. Well, verses 19 through 23, he gives instruction again regarding eating the firstborn animals.

Now the firstborn were always devoted to God. God says, "...the firstborn are mine." Part of this is because the firstborn were preserved and saved there in the land of Egypt. Remember when God passed over the nation of Israel and their sons, their livestock as well, and because they obeyed and put the blood on the doorposts, God passed over their firstborn. "...so the firstborn are mine, says the Lord."

But also the firstborn is considered the best. And I'm the firstborn of my family. And so, you know, I'm the best, you know, just kidding. But the firstborn is considered the best. And so the idea is giving the best to the Lord and giving to the Lord what is rightfully his. Now, the way that you would give this to the Lord would be that you'd take it to the place he chose, Jerusalem, and have a feast. And

And enjoy fellowship with the Lord and with your family there. And so it's interesting. God kind of built into the law, you know, these celebrations, these feasts, these provisions, these breaks that he wanted his people to take, and this fellowship between him and the people and the families there. It's just all built into the instruction that he's giving to his people. Well, chapter 16 is our final chapter for the evening. It's where we read up to today.

Verse 16 is the key verse. And it says, three times a year, all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which he chooses, at the feast of unleavened bread, at the feast of weeks, and at the feast of tabernacles. And they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed.

So here in verses 1 through 8, we have his instruction to keep the Passover. And the Passover is connected to the Feast of Unleavened Bread. They both start right at the same time. And so the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, they're to keep. We've talked about this many times. You can look in Leviticus chapter 23 for more details on these feasts that they are to keep. Then in verses 9 through 12, he gives them instruction to keep the Feast of Weeks.

Now the Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread, that was a total of eight days. The Feast of Weeks sounds like a really long feast, but it's actually just one day. It's called the Feast of Weeks because it would take place a certain number of weeks, seven weeks after the Passover, or actually the Sabbath within the Passover. And so it was a one-day celebration where they would offer their first fruits to the Lord.

And then verses 13 through 17, he tells them to observe the Feast of Tabernacles. The Feast of Tabernacles is where they would set up tents all around the place that God chose, or Jerusalem, and they would remember how God provided for them while they were in the wilderness. And so it was a feast to remember how God made provision for them.

Well, these are the three feasts a year that all the Jewish men were to appear before the Lord at the place that he chose, which later on we find out is Jerusalem. There were other feasts that were to take place throughout the year, but those feasts could take place all throughout the land of Israel. But these three feasts, everybody would have to go to the place that God chose and celebrate the feast there. So it'd be a mass gathering there at Jerusalem.

Three times a year. And God says in verse 16, you're not to appear empty handed. So when you come, you're to bring sacrifices, you're to bring offerings, you're to bring gifts to the Lord. It was a time to come before the Lord and honor Him. Well, He concludes the chapter in verses 18 through 22.

Saying that they ought to judge the people with just judgment. To make sure that they don't pervert judgment. That they don't show partiality and say, oh, you broke the law, but you're a good friend, so I'll go easy on you. Or you broke the law, but you're the king, so I'll go easy on you. Or whatever the case may be. They were not to take bribes, but to be fair.

but they were to deal righteously and deal justly with the cases that they had. And so the judges were to have just judgment. Well, as we finish up this evening, here's a quick look at the annual feasts that were required.

So the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Harvest, also known as Pentecost, also known as the Feast of Weeks, and then the Feast of Ingathering, which is also known as the Feast of Tabernacles. These are the three required feasts that we saw here in chapter 16.

We just passed, actually, the Feast of Pentecost, if we were practicing it today. It would have been Sunday, this last Sunday, May 27th, was the day of Pentecost. So I want to just share a real quick summary about these, and something I think that God wants us to consider this evening as we close. The Feast of Passover, well, really all the feasts were feasts of remembrance, where God wanted His people to remember. And so,

And I want to look at it with you briefly about things that God wants us to remember. The Passover feast was a reminder of how God delivered his people from bondage in Egypt. But we also know the Passover looked forward to Jesus and his crucifixion as our Passover lamb. He took the place for us. And so not only does it

Remind the nation of Israel how God delivered them from Egypt. But for you and I today, the Passover reminds us of how Christ has delivered us from the bondage to sin and death. And so God would have you to remember. He wants us to remember. He wants us to reflect and consider regularly, annually, continually.

How He has delivered us. How He has set us free. The ways that He has brought us out of the things that entrapped us and destroyed our lives. And so I would encourage you this evening to remember how Christ has delivered you. What He accomplished for you at the cross. Then you have the Feast of Pentecost.

The Feast of Pentecost was a feast where they would celebrate. It was a joyful occasion as they showed the Lord the first fruits of their fields and their crops. And they would offer these to the Lord. But you and I remember Pentecost in a slightly different way because of course on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2 is when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the church.

And the church was really born that day as the Holy Spirit was poured out and God began to do a work. And so the Feast of Pentecost, I believe God wants to remind us. He wants us to remember the importance of walking in the Spirit. Your need for the Holy Spirit to work in your heart, to work in your life, to bear fruit. Because the fruit of the Spirit is love.

And joy and peace. Now, the joy that comes forth from the Spirit being at work in our life is interesting. It parallels the feast. It was supposed to be a joyful, a rejoicing feast. And there is great rejoicing for those, there's great joy for those who walk in the Spirit. And so I want you to remember the importance, the necessity of the Holy Spirit in your life.

And you allowing God to minister to you and through you in the power of the Holy Spirit. Well then finally you have the Feast of Tabernacles. The Feast of Tabernacles, it was a remembrance feast.

Where God called his people to remember how he provided for them in the wilderness all that time. And so they would set up tents and canopies and they would look up at the stars and their kids would ask them, hey, how can we do this? And God would say, well, or they would tell their, God told them to tell their kids, well, it's because God provided for us. He met our needs. He took care of us as we were in the wilderness on the way from Egypt into the promised land. Well, the Feast of Tabernacles for you and I reminds us

That we are in tents right now. That the body that you have is temporary. You know, tents aren't permanent. They're not meant to last. They're not meant to be a permanent dwelling place. And the Bible describes your body and my body as tents. Because the reality is we are pilgrims here. This isn't our permanent place. This earth that we live upon, it's not our permanent residence. This body that we have,

It's not our permanent body. It's temporary. It's a tent. We're camping. We need to remember that we're on a pilgrimage. That eternity is our ultimate destination. Heaven is where we're headed. And so this is just temporary. We're on a journey. And so these three feasts help us to remember how Christ has delivered us

Helps us to remember to walk in the Spirit. And to allow the fruit of the Spirit to come forth in our lives as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us. And to remember to not grasp hold too tightly in the things of this life. Because we're just here temporarily. And while we're here, we're on a mission to make disciples, to lead others to a right relationship with God. Because we're on our way to eternity. That's our destination. Our citizenship is not here.

But it's in heaven. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, I pray that you would help us to remember these things. As you required these feasts of your people Israel, Lord, you would also have us to remember how you've worked in us, how you desire to pour out your Holy Spirit upon us, that you said that we should ask because you desire for us to be filled with

to be overflowing with the power of the Holy Spirit. And so, God, I pray that you would do that work. Lord, as we remember how you've delivered us, Lord, we invite you to continue the work that you began in us. Lord, that you would bring it forth to completion, to bring us to maturity. And I pray, God, that you would help us to be pilgrims here, to be living in tents, not to be looking at this life as the final destination and building our kingdom here and being consumed with the things of this life.

But God, I pray that you would focus our eyes on the things of you, on the things of eternity, and that we would realize that this is not our home. That we would work and build our true home. Lord, that we would lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven by serving you while we're here with all of our heart and soul and mind and strength. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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