See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about, all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our GOD is near us whenever we PRAY to Him?...
Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. TEACH them to your children and to their children after them. Remember the day you stood before the LORD your GOD at Horeb, when He said to me, “Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may LEARN to REVERE me as long as they live in the land and May TEACH them to their children.” Deuteronomy 4:5-10
Meditation:
Moses is giving the Israelites his final teaching and advice before they enter the Promised Land. He is reminding them of all the blessings the Lord has bestowed on them from the time he rescued them from Egypt. Moses knows he will not be entering the Promised Land with them because he has displeased God. He also knows that it is important for them to remember these blessings so that they might remain faithful to the commandments. We know from reading Scripture that the Israelites did forget, did disobey, and did not remain faithful to the commandments. Jesus commented that the Pharisees of his day obeyed the human laws more than God’s laws.
What of us today? Do we keep the commandments? Many people consider the commandments "suggestions" or commandments for only the time in which they were given, but they apply to today as well.
Think of the discord caused by dishonesty, greed and abuse of authority. Moses’ advice to the Israelites is just as true today as it was millennia ago. Following God’s law and teaching it to new generations is just as important now as it was then.
Read Moses’ address to the people in Deuteronomy again and this time let it sink in to your mind and heart.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, you have given us a map to follow so that we might live in PEACE and HARMONY. Give us the grace we need to follow it. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!
Author: Jose Reyes
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