THE
BIBLE JESUS READ—DEUTERONOMY: REALISTIC OPTIMISM
Deuteronomy 6:10-15
The book of Deuteronomy contains three
addresses that Moses delivered to Israel before the nation entered the Promised
Land. The very moment the seed of Abraham had been waiting 700 years to
experience had at last arrived (Gen. 15). In many ways it was a moment of great
triumph, but in others it was a time of sober reflection. Canaan would always
be a bittersweet habitation. Realistic optimism is the message of Deuteronomy,
a realistic optimism centered in trusting God from a heart of love.
KEYS TO AVOIDING
FAILURE—REMEMBERING GOD
1. Man
shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth
of God (Deut. 8:2-3; cf. Ex. 16:1-3; Matt. 4:1-4).
2. You
shall not tempt the Lord your God (Deut. 6:16; cf. Ex. 17:1-7; Matt. 4:5-7 ).
3. You
shall worship the Lord your God and worship Him only (Deut. 6:10-15 cf. Josh.
24:14-15; Matt. 4:8-11).
4. They
needed to remember the reasons they failed and beware so they would not repeat
the same mistakes.
FAILURES LURKED
AROUND EVERY CORNER
1. Prosperity
all too often leads to pride instead of to thanksgiving (Deut. 6:10-15;
8:11-20; 11:13-17).
2. False
prophets would be an enticement (Deut. 13:1-5).
3. Idolatry
could capture the hearts of the people (Deut. 13:6-18).
4. Captivity
and deportation would be the ultimate consequence of the people’s forsaking the
covenant (Deut. 29:22-28).
5. Even
“The Song of Moses” (Deut. 32) was filled negative observations about the
peoples’ failings.
6. The
Promised Land would not be without its temptations.
7. Even
in prosperity, the only hope of the people was God.
THE GRACIOUS LOVE OF
GOD AND ITS PROPER RESPONSE
1. God
did love Israel (Deut. 4:37; 10:15).
2. But
the basis of His love, however, was the gracious promise God had made to their
forefathers, not anything inherent in Israel (Deut. 7:6-8).
3. Even
in receiving the promise of the land, the nation could still only achieve the
full extent of God’s blessings—salvation through faith working in love (Deut.
4:32-40; 7:6-11; 10:10-22; cf. Gal.5:6).
4. Therefore,
a superior, consistent love for God was absolutely necessary (Deut. 6:4-9).
5. A
failure to be thankful by not returning love is always negatively received by
God.
POSTSCRIPTS OF HOPE
1. King
Josiah’s restoration is commonly thought to have been initiated by the finding
of the book of Deuteronomy (II Kg. 22-23), the book most cited by his
contemporary, Jeremiah.
2. Moses,
recorded in Deuteronomy as prohibited from entering the Promised Land, was able
to appear there with Elijah and Jesus (Deut. 32:48-52; Num. 20:7-13; Matt.
17:1-8).
3. Jesus
quoted from Deuteronomy more than any Old Covenant book, eighteen times.
Deuteronomy is a great book
of optimism set in realistic tones. The imperfections of Israel were not
glossed over, but neither was their hope obscured. God’s grace is seen as
triumphant through love, faith, and devotion enshrined deep in human hearts.
The prophet like Moses, but greater, would insure that such a triumph was
certain (Deut. 18:15; Acts 3:22; Rom. 8:31-39).
Edwin
9/3/00
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