DEUTERONOMY 14
"You are the children of the Lord your God....."
In all of the verses and words spoken in chapter 14, the first 9 words carry the most weight! "You are the children of the Lord your God!" These powerful 9 words are followed by, "You shall not." "You shall not", has no hope without first understanding what comes before it. Before obedience, there must be an identity. Understanding who is speaking will directly impact why someone should listen.
Starting in chapter 14, Moses will begin telling the people of God how and how not to live once entering into the land of milk and honey. Much of the text will be filled with laws and statutes that mirror the scriptures read about in Leviticus and Numbers. Much like the confusion when you and I read these statutes, the people during this time were probably confused in similar ways. I'm sure they had a greater understanding of the cultural norms and laws based off of their time in the wilderness, but a clear understanding of why God was calling them to such specific ways of life was still confusing, I'm sure.
Why does God care so much about what we eat?
Why does God care so much about blood?
Why does God care about how we mourn for the dead?
Why do all these laws matter to God? First, it's important to remember that the land they were given was also the land that was taken back. God was blessing His people but driving out the unfaithful. At the heart of God's commands, He was giving them a way of life that was separating them from the pagan people who they were charged to make leave.
The way His people were to talk, look, and live was to be different than the people who did not love Him. Even the food they ate was different.
God's people were to be set apart!
Before God begins to give chapters of rules, He reminds them of who they are. "You are the children of the Lord your God!" Understanding our identity is the beginning of being obedient to our call. More than eating the right or wrong food, this text is about following the directions of our Father as children of the true King. Remember what has been said many times throughout our study; Deuteronomy is a call to obedience. Obedience and faith to what God has called us to has no hope unless we understand our identity. Knowing that we are a child of God, adopted into the family, a chosen son and daughter opens our mind and hearts to what God calls us to do. No matter if the commands are fully understood or not.
Historically, many scholars don't fully agree on or understand why exactly some of the laws are given to the people. I have read many theories and assumptions, but there doesn't seem to be a concrete understanding of the reasoning behind each statute. In this, I believe we have our greatest point of the message! More than understand the "why", it's most important to understand the "Who". When we read the commands of the scriptures, who is speaking to us? It's important to understand all the reasoning behind each command that God gives. Understanding gives us knowledge and knowledge a greater faith. However, the understanding that we are the chosen people of God, and our Father calls us to and from a certain life is what's most important. Knowing who we are in the light of who He is, is the beginning of faith, wisdom, and obedience.
Stay faithful church,
Pastor Hunter
Starting in chapter 14, Moses will begin telling the people of God how and how not to live once entering into the land of milk and honey. Much of the text will be filled with laws and statutes that mirror the scriptures read about in Leviticus and Numbers. Much like the confusion when you and I read these statutes, the people during this time were probably confused in similar ways. I'm sure they had a greater understanding of the cultural norms and laws based off of their time in the wilderness, but a clear understanding of why God was calling them to such specific ways of life was still confusing, I'm sure.
Why does God care so much about what we eat?
Why does God care so much about blood?
Why does God care about how we mourn for the dead?
Why do all these laws matter to God? First, it's important to remember that the land they were given was also the land that was taken back. God was blessing His people but driving out the unfaithful. At the heart of God's commands, He was giving them a way of life that was separating them from the pagan people who they were charged to make leave.
The way His people were to talk, look, and live was to be different than the people who did not love Him. Even the food they ate was different.
God's people were to be set apart!
Before God begins to give chapters of rules, He reminds them of who they are. "You are the children of the Lord your God!" Understanding our identity is the beginning of being obedient to our call. More than eating the right or wrong food, this text is about following the directions of our Father as children of the true King. Remember what has been said many times throughout our study; Deuteronomy is a call to obedience. Obedience and faith to what God has called us to has no hope unless we understand our identity. Knowing that we are a child of God, adopted into the family, a chosen son and daughter opens our mind and hearts to what God calls us to do. No matter if the commands are fully understood or not.
Historically, many scholars don't fully agree on or understand why exactly some of the laws are given to the people. I have read many theories and assumptions, but there doesn't seem to be a concrete understanding of the reasoning behind each statute. In this, I believe we have our greatest point of the message! More than understand the "why", it's most important to understand the "Who". When we read the commands of the scriptures, who is speaking to us? It's important to understand all the reasoning behind each command that God gives. Understanding gives us knowledge and knowledge a greater faith. However, the understanding that we are the chosen people of God, and our Father calls us to and from a certain life is what's most important. Knowing who we are in the light of who He is, is the beginning of faith, wisdom, and obedience.
Stay faithful church,
Pastor Hunter
SCRIPTURE TO GO WITH THE MESSAGE
Read 1 Peter 2 as we see Peter speak about our identity as children of God.
Posted in Deuteronomy