Today’s passage: Deuteronomy 9
Helpful thoughts:
- The warriors Israel feared more than any other were no match for the Lord. It wasn’t Israel who could defeat them, but their God was/is a consuming fire who keeps His every promise.
- Israel was not going to inherit the Promised Land because they were better than those they would defeat. God was giving them the Promised Land because of His promise.
- The main evidence of Israel’s lack of righteousness was given through the recounting of the golden calf.
- Because the Lord had brought about the existence of this nation through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and because the Lord had redeemed this people from their slavery in Egypt, they were clearly a testimony of His greatness. When Moses appealed to the Lord to spare them from judgment, his appeal was based on the reputation of the Lord.
Questions to consider:
- Why is the church set apart from the rest of the world today? Are we better than everyone else? What truly sets us apart? On what promises do we base our eternal security? (Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 Peter 2:9, Romans 8:29-30)
- What was the purpose of Moses sharing this with the people of Israel? What did they need to know and remember? How would these truths produce a right humility and gratitude?
- How does acknowledging we are sinners and helpless on our own run contrary to how the world thinks we all should think about ourselves? How can a Christian be confident without having to think we are so very special and deserving? In whom is our confidence, rest, security, and joy?