March 3

March 3

Deuteronomy 11–13

Scripture Text: Deuteronomy 11:1–13:18

Series: Read the Bible in a Year

There is little difference between the ancient Israelites, waiting to cross over into the promised land, and ourselves, waiting on God's various blessings to believers, and finally, to enjoy the great grace of crossing over into eternal life. We have the word of God as sure as did Moses. Indeed, we have it more surely for God spoke to our fathers by the prophets at various times in in different ways, but in this final stage he has spoken to us by his Son... (Hebrews 1:1–2).

So, having the Word of God, even the Son's interpretation of the commandments, lets us be careful to love the Lord and keep "the whole commandment" (Deuteronomy 11:8). Let us place that Word in our minds, keeping it so in sight that it is, as it were, "within our eyes" and at hand — nor mere phylacteries but real symbols of God's truth and will for us. 

God places blessing and curse before us too (not just the Israelites under Moses' leadership). The blessing boils down to keepin the whole commandment. "And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us" (1 John 3:23). This is essentially the great commandmandment we encountered on March 1. It is that synthesis of the Ten Commandments understood through the teaching of Jesus: believe in me (God) and love your neighbor.

If you believe, you will take possessin of the promised land. If you do not believe, you are already cursed or condemned (John 3:18).

Part of believing is removing the evil from your life. Get rid of temptation (aka plucking out your eye) as the Israelites were commanded. Do not do as the Canaanites do. Do not do what you consider best either (Deuteronomy 12:8). Do what I tell you to do: keep the whole commandment. These are warnings against idolatry, so that the people keep the first commandment. Even if miracles are performed in the name of another god, do not believe it and be led astray. Indeed, get rid of that evil. 

The church today is tempted to be culturally correct when, instead, the church has always been called to be counter cultural, just like the ancient Israelites. 

Today's Word Search Puzzle — Print and solve 

Today's Jigsaw Puzzle — Solve it online

Bible Reading Plan brochure — print it two-sided, trifold, and use as bookmark

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