Moses to Children of Isreal: "Open Up Your History Book"

Deuteronomy Chapter 4: Part 5: The Teaching of Moses Goes On

Deuteronomy 4:32-49 -- The Passage and Some Thoughts

This passage is very much a repetition of passages we have already studied so I will take you through it quickly highlighting some key thoughts of Moses.  You may wish to have your favorite version of Scripture there with you.

He has just finished telling them about what will happen in the latter days (see early study) and now wants them to focus again on the “former” days in order for them to get a real understanding of who God is. Chuck Smith says Moses was basically saying, “Hey guys, open up your history books and see what God has done already for you.”  We would do well to open up our own history books of our lives and see what God has done for us, including when we didn’t deserve it. The whole gift of salvation through the sacrifice of His Son falls into the category.

Just thinking about this reminds me of the old southern gospel song of the 1950s written by Stuart Hamblen, It Is No Secret What God Can Do. I guess many of us could also sing it as “It is no secret, what God has done”. But either way, the key message is in line that says, “What He’s for others, He can do for you.”  Or, wherever we are right now, even in the most difficult stage of our lives as some of us may feel we are in, we can sing, “What He’s done for me, He can do again.” Take a listen to the song here, Elvis sings It is No Secret.

He asks them if they know of any other god, since the beginning of creation who has allowed people to hear his voice from the midst of a fire, and still allowed those that heard it to live? And of course, the answer is no. (verse 33)

He asks if any other god has taken a nation for himself from within another nation and done so through trials, signs, wonders, war, a mighty hand, an outstretched arm, and great terrors, as their God did right before their eyes. (verse 34)

And in verse 35 he tells them God did all this so that they may know Him and know that He is God and there is no one beside Him.

In verse 27 Moses tells them that this was done because He loved their Fathers with whom He made the Covenant. He tells them God didn’t do this because of their own greatness or obedience – anything but. Sometimes we get the benefit of the blessings of God because of His love for others – and often it is those who have prayed for us. In my case, I would say much of the blessings I have received are due to God’s love for my mother whom I know spent hours in the Word and hours on her knees before God – pleading on my behalf. Many of you may have had parents like that. God loved them and you’re now be blessed because of that.

In verse 40, he repeats the requirement to keep God’s statutes and commandments that the sons of Israel may live long in the land God was giving them.  And note the last three words of that verse.  God was giving them land “for all time”.

Verses 41-43 describe the three refuge cities that Moses set up on the east side of the Jordan and what tribes were primarily to manage those and use them.

And then verses 44-49 describes again how it was that these lands east of the Jordan were taken by the Israelites and kept, prior to them going across the Jordan to take Canaan, the Promised Land.

Wrap-up

I have always been a big believer in the fact that one’s relationship with God, and as a result, one’s salvation, is really between God and the individual. I still believe that but as I read and studied this passage, I could not help but realize how God is not just involved with me, but with those in my family (and yours) that went before me (and you). Some of us were fortunate to have a believing parent. Some of us were blessed with two believing parents. And today we benefit from that experience.

Others may not have been so fortunate. Perhaps neither of your parents were believers. Or you lost your parents early in your life before they could influence your faith. Or worse still, your parents’ faith, maybe coupled with their actions (perhaps of hypocrisy) turned you right off faith for a long time. Any of those experiences would be hard.

But here’s the good news. No matter what your experience with your parents was (or is), God can use the good experience for your benefit, and, now wait for it – God can use the awful experience for your good. Yes, he can. In fact, if that’s the case you can be the start of a new cycle in your family – you could be that faithful parent for your children and grandchildren.

What is important for us to grasp is that it really is no secret, what God can do.  May you find that to be true in your life.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Moses Has a Word of Advice for Parents and Grandparents.

Deuteronomy Chapter 4 – Part Two: Moses Continues His Advice to the Next Generation by Reminding Them of What God Expects of Them and Us

Deuteronomy 4:9-14 -- The Passage and Some Thoughts

David Guzik points out how this passage starts off. It is with the words “Only give heed to yourself . . .”. The New Living Translation says, “But watch out.” The New International Version says, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely.”

In verse 9, the sons of Israel are told to “keep their souls diligent” not to forget that they saw what God had done for them, to keep these things in their hearts, and to share them with their children and grandchildren. This concept of keeping our “souls diligent” is an interesting one. How well have we done in those four things? Well, I guess it depends in what ‘generation’ you lived in. Since God created what He created in Genesis, and assuming the average generation is 25 years (everything I could find ranges from 20 to 40 years), there have been as many as 240 generations that have come and gone. I regret to inform you that each ensuing generation is doing worse on this account. In my own generation, I feel that while we older ones are happy with our ability to keeps our souls diligent, to remember what God has done for us, to keep these things in our hearts, we have failed, for the most part, to pass these things on to our children and grandchildren. And one wonders why.

Let me suggest a few possibilities. Society seems to have adopted an overall pluralistic approach to life and faith. Multiculturalism within our communities has facilitated that. Our history as a People of God (Jew and Christian) is no longer the dominant history of the world to many. The educational system has challenged the Judeo-Christian principles, encouraging experimentation in other religions, or no religion, or worse still perhaps, that you are a ‘god’. The granting of rights to minorities has been extended to minors as well. Children have more power and encouragement now than ever before to ignore their parents. And heaven help you with your grandchildren if your children weren’t 120% satisfied with the way you brought them up – it’s their turn to treat their children much better. The nuclear family is no longer the family we grew up in. More divorces than ever mean more single-parent families, and that means the children have to split their available time with the two parents, and so on.  And so, the opportunity for sharing the history of our faith is minimal. We are relegated to the task of praying for them. But here’s the good news – that is an incredible responsibility and all that God needs to do His work with them.,

In verse 10, Moses reminds the sons of Israel of the day God had called them together at Horeb so they could hear His words and “learn to fear Him all the days they live” and to “teach their children the same”. Nowadays, fearing the Lord has become a thing to be avoided – because God loves us. Newsflash folks – a loving father is often feared by his children for they know that if they defy him, there will be a consequence. We’re not talking about making mistakes or not having yet learned a lesson – we’re talking about out and out disobedience. I have always feared the Lord God and I have always seen Him as a loving Father. The other day when we were taking care of our almost six-year grand-daughter and we were all playing in the backyard, we noticed that she was nowhere to be found. We were frantic for a moment (as most grandparents would be) and run around the front looking for her. She had decided to go and hide on us in front of the garage. Yes, I raised my voice and she knew I was angry with her. And she knew why. That was out and out disobedience. She had been warned before. But she soon got over it. Hopefully, it won’t happen again. My older grandson said, “You didn’t have to yell at her.” I chose to ignore him. He may have been right. But sometimes, a low quiet voice doesn’t always work with ‘children’ of any age.

In verses 11-13, Moses tells the sons of Israel how God had declared His covenant with them that they were to carry out and had given them the Ten Commandments on two tablets of stone.

A number of commentators make the point that in verse 12 Moses reminded them that while they heard God’s voice in the fire, they did not see Him or a form of Him.  They contend that this is a reminder to them that they were not to make any graven images of God because they thought they knew what He looked like. This practice was left to the heathen and idolatrous nations all around them.

And verse 14 states that Moses reminded them how he was told to teach them those statutes and judgments, and the Ten Commandments, because they would need to follow those in the Promised Land, in order to be successful.

Here’s the funny thing. God expects the same of us. We’re failing. We need to figure out a way how we can take that up a notch.

Wrap-up

Here’s what I know for certain. God wanted the sons of Israel to learn what He wanted to teach them and to teach these things to their children and grandchildren. He wants the same for us. I also know that He does not want to live of life with our children that says, “just do as I say, not what I do”.

So, in a day and age when some of us find it hard to sit down with our children and grandchildren for the reasons noted above, not only can we and should we pray for them, but we also have the incredible opportunity to “model for them what they may hear us tell them”.  That’s big and great news for parents and for grandparents. Take heart. Your job is not finished yet.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.

Joseph’s Reward - Genesis 50:22-23

Now Joseph stayed in Egypt, he and his father’s household, and Joseph lived one hundred and ten years.  And Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim’s sons; also the sons of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees.

In this short passage we learn Joseph and Jacob’s households stayed on, after Jacob’s death, to live in Egypt for many years.  There is no direct reference to the households of the other brothers, but we could assume that since they had settled there, they too were included, from a language perspective, under Jacob’s household.  This is supported by verse 24 that follows this passage wherein Joseph at his death is speaking to his brothers and tells them God will take them from Egypt to the Promised Land.

We also learn that Joseph lived to the age of 110.  Our last look at our chronological timeline (from the beginning of Genesis) was back in Genesis 47:27.  Let’s revisit it.

·      3461    The meeting of Jacob and Pharaoh when Jacob’s family moved to Egypt (based on Genesis 47:9 and the dates we had arrived at above)(Jacob was 130 years old)

·      3478    Jacob’s death in Egypt at the age of 147 (based on Genesis 47:28,29)

To this we would, if we could, add the next event.

·      ????    Joseph dies at age 110

This presents our own “chronological timeline” with a problem.  While we know this occurred some time after Jacob’s death around 3478 years from the start of Genesis, we do not know exactly when. The reason is that we have information of how old Joseph was when he died, but not the year in which he was born.  We can only hope that later in Scripture, more information is given to us to allow us to continue down this avenue of time measurement through the Bible.

Literally the text speaks of Joseph “seeing” the third generation of his son Ephraim’s sons. That is, he saw Ephraim’s children (first generation of Ephraim’s sons), their children (Joseph’s grandchildren and Ephraim’s second generation), and their grandchildren (Joseph’s great grandchildren and Ephraim’s third generation).  That was Joseph’s reward – to be able to live long enough to see all these children.  That would be quite a blessing.  My own father lived to see five great-grandchildren.  They kept him young and he loved them all.

The text also speaks of Joseph seeing the sons of Machir his grandson, born to Manasseh and his wife.  Later on we discover this was Manasseh’s eldest son and likely born to him through one of his Aramite or Syrian concubines.  Manasseh was Joseph’s oldest son, but Jacob, back in Genesis 48, had given the younger son, Ephraim the ‘right-hand’ blessing reserved for the ‘first-born’.

All these generations Joseph enjoyed as part of his blessed life.  What is your life like today?  Are you blessed?   Have you placed yourself in a position to be blessed in this manner with family and grandchildren?  Or have you gone your own way because of family feuds, your own stubbornness, etc.?  If so, it is never to late to start “rebuilding” that same family, starting with your relationship with God.  I encourage you to re-examine your current lot in life.  Is it what it could be?  Is it what it should be?  If not, I pray you will take the steps to start heading in that direction.   Even if you’re on your deathbed, it is never too late.  And the rewards are immense.

[Are you looking for a speaker at your church, your club, school, or organization? Ken is available to preach, teach, challenge, and/or motivate. Please contact us.]

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Jacob Sets Up The Blessing - Genesis 48:13-14

And Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right, and brought them close to him.  But Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, crossing his hands, although Manasseh was the first-born.

Let’s try to picture this.  Joseph takes the right hand of his younger son, Ephraim and puts it directly across towards Israel’s left hand.  He does the opposite with Manasseh, his older boy.  As he is doing this, Israel crosses his right hand over his left and moves it towards the head of Ephraim (the younger one), and takes his left hand, across his body to place it on the head of Manasseh (the older boy).  The significance of these brief two verses is all in the last phrase, “even though Manasseh was the first-born.”

The idea was for the oldest to get the first blessing; one we assume was usually delivered using the right hand of the one making the blessing.  David Guzik, in his study guide for Genesis 48, suggests, “The right hand in the Bible always has the idea of the favored position because generally speaking, the right hand is the hand of strength and skill.”  I am sure that our modern-day left-handers would disagree, but the fact remains the majority of the world is right-handed.  So, we’ll accept Guzik’s reasoning.

What is interesting here, though, is whether or not Jacob does this intentionally, and if so, why?  And also, how will both Joseph and Manasseh react?  We’ll find out soon enough as we study the verses that follow.  In the meantime, what are we to take from this short passage of scripture?  Let me suggest that it is simply this: As elders we need to be conscious of the need to bestow a blessing on our grandchildren.  As adults we need to value the blessings our parents bestow on our children.  As children we need to seek the blessing of our elders.  I think it is those blessings that somehow bind us together in a very unique and special way throughout the generations.   Have we blessed our children or grandchildren?  If not, perhaps we should do so before it’s too late.  It does not have to be done verbally.  It can be done in writing and as such, it can be something that will be treasured, remembered, and referred to for one’s entire life, and then passed on.  On this day after Christmas 2011, I have decided to make this very deed a New Year’s resolution for myself.  I will work hard in 2012 to write a blessing for my three children and currently my five grandchildren.  Will you join me in doing likewise for yours?




 
[Are you looking for a speaker at your church, your club, school, or organization? Ken is available to preach, teach, challenge, and/or motivate. Please contact us.]

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Can You Feel The Loss?

As we get older, we join a group of people who have lost parents.  A smaller group of people are those who have lost spouses or brothers or sisters.  An even smaller group are those who have lost a son or a  daughter.  Worse still may be a grandchild.  May God spare you from that.

Today as our church was reflecting on those that have given their lives so sacrificially for our freedom around the world, I desperately tried to sense what it would be like to be one of those parents or grandparents who had lost a child.  The reason or circumstances do not matter.

The only way I could do it was to actually pretend and image that I had lost one of my beloved young ones.  My eyes swelled and tears worked their way down my face as I felt the loss.  I could not stand the pain I experienced while sitting there in the pew.   I thank God I could snap myself out of it.  Then I remembered all those friends and relatives who have indeed experienced that feeling and realized then they can't snap themselves out of it.  They have to stay in the reality of their brokenness.    I felt I understood them just a little bit better this morning.

As you remember the fallen this November 11th or any time in your life, remember those that have been left standing but empty.  And remember that God alone, sometimes represented by your kindness, your love, your listening ear, your strong shoulder, your extended hand, your time, your cup of cold water, is all that can really help them make it through the night that they experience even in the heat of the midday sun.

-- Ken Godevenos. 

[Are you looking for a speaker at your church, your club, school, or organization? Ken is available to preach, teach, challenge, and/or motivate. Please contact us.]

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In Praise of Older -- wait for it, (Grand)Parents. The latest data.

Here's what is happening on a bigger scale as far as grand-parents and grand-children go. If you're living in Washington, D.C. -- it's about the only place in America where the trend is contrary to what's going on everywhere else. Take a look at who's living with your kids.

Grandparents play a bigger role in child-rearing - US news - Life - msnbc.com

Thanks for dropping by. Sign up to receive free updates. We bring you relevant information from all sorts of sources. Subscribe for free to this blog or follow us by clicking on the appropriate link in the right side bar. And please share this blog with your friends. Ken Godevenos, Church and Management Consultant, Accord Consulting.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.