Highlights In Today's Reading:
Moses begins his last words to the Israelite nation. He reviews their past, one more time clearly emphasizing the blessings of obedience and warning of the consequences of disobedience. He pleads with them: Choose life (30:19).
Joshua had been a faithful servant of Moses, and God prepared him to take Moses' place of leadership. God always uses people whom He can trust to be loyal even under difficult situations to join with those who choose to be obedient to the will of God. Joshua is particularly remembered as one of the two spies who declared his faith in the power of God to conquer Canaan when the majority were ready to stone him (Num. 14:6-10).
In the face of strong opposition to entering the promised land by the Israelites who were delivered from Egypt, Joshua and Caleb remained faithful as Moses' most trusted and valiant generals. In this first battle after their freedom from Pharaoh, the Israelites were confronted with the Amalekites and Joshua (the victorious military general) discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword (Ex. 17:8-16). And now, after many years of loyalty, Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it (Deut. 31:7).
In the midst of a people who grumbled and found fault with the things and people God brought into their lives, Joshua's remarkable faithfulness was not marred by a single act of unbelief, criticism of Moses, or faultfinding with those around him; along with Caleb, he wholly followed the Lord (Num. 32:12). It is no surprise that the Lord told Moses: Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay thine hand (and your blessings) upon him (27:18).
Many Christians, in order to receive personal gain, have compromised their convictions and proved to be disloyal. But loyalty is a distinguishing characteristic of people who are faithful to God.
Moses did as the Lord commanded him. . . . The Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a . . . friend (Lev. 8:4; Num. 27:22; Ex. 33:11). Of Abraham, the Friend of God (James 2:23), the Lord said: I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him (Gen. 18:19).
Thought for Today:
A faithful person can be trusted to handle things of value correctly. Often God cannot trust us with His blessings because of our lack of faithfulness to Him.
Christ Revealed:
As life (Deut. 30:15). Jesus is the Resurrection, and the Life (John 11:25).
Word Studies:
29:4 perceive =know; 29:17 abominations =detestable things; 29:20 smoke =ablaze; 29:29 secret =hidden; 30:1 call them to mind =remember them; 30:3 turn thy captivity =restore you from captivity; 30:4 unto the outmost parts =to the ends of earth; 30:9 plenteous =prosperous; 30:18 denounce =announce; 30:19 record =witness; 31:3 possess =take possession of; 31:10 solemnity =appointed time; 31:12 stranger =alien; 31:14 charge =commission; 31:16 go a whoring after the gods of the strangers =be unfaithful to the One True God; 31:17 devoured =consumed, destroyed; 31:18 wrought =done; 31:21 sware = promised; 31:27 stiff neck =stubbornness.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Radio Sri Lanka Shortwave Broadcasts to India sponsored by Shirley Johnson Evangelist/Missionary • Radio Sri Lanka Shortwave Broadcasts sponsored by Paul & Linda Stalter • Executive Director of the IBRA in our Washington DC Branch: Reverend Michael Hall • Government Officials: Sen. Tom Coburn (OK), Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (IL), and Justice Antonin Scalia • Country: Cote d'Ivoire (16 million) in western Africa • Major languages: French and over 60 native dialects • Religious freedom • 40% animist; 25% Muslim; 10% Roman Catholic; 5% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Seek the Lord's teaching; grow and mature in your prayer life (Luke 11:1).
Optional Reading: John 2
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:12