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Post by arthurpare on Oct 12, 2012 7:38:39 GMT -5
God has filled the tabernacle with His presence. God has delivered His people, reaffirmed His plan, and is leading them across the desert.
What could possibly go wrong?
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Post by arthurpare on Oct 12, 2012 20:48:13 GMT -5
Charles Stephenson pointed out that the Israelites saw this mighty and powerful God and were constantly living around His presence, but they don't live within His presence. That is not where their lives are.
Moses repeatedly told the people of the dangers of "having other gods."
People rejected God's command to take the country and sent spies, and decided not to go. Leads to 40 years of wandering.
We frequently skip over (and The Story follows suit) the detail of these laws that were God training His people. How and Why do people choose which rules they want to enforce and which ones to skip over? We miss the point of valuing the holiness, the otherness of God.
Deuteronomy (which we recently studied) constitutes the majority of this "chapter." It covers the transference of leadership (mouthpiece of God) from Moses to Joshua.
Moses strong until the end, but Moses didn't get to enter the promised land. Only Caleb and Joshua entered from the adult males who left Egypt. Hundreds of thousands died without seeing this conclusion.
Was this a punishment, or at 120 years of age after successfully seeing the people to the brink of entry, was it in a sense a type of reward to die in the peaceful manner in which Moses passed?
Joshua stresses "Keep the words of this covenant." Do what the LORD has commanded. Very inclusive covenant. Promise of the new covenant. Beware lest there be a root bearing bitter fruit. Read this law. Memorize this song. The word will speak against you. Live it! Keep covenant!
God says, I don't want to do this, but if you break covenant I will; I must.
Moses reiterates blessing on the tribes. Then he dies.
What a story - please read it and comment.
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