Deuteronomy 21 & 22: THE FIRSTBORN
Verse of the Day: (21:17) But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.
1. Forgive (21:1-14)
Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel’s charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them. (21:8)
God is fair and just, and He shall vindicate the innocent. God commanded Israel that the elders and the priests of the city that was nearest to the corpse found on their land, offered a heifer, that had never laboured the field, for the slain, and then they would investigate the cause of his death. Even though God knew who the murderer was, yet He was testing the faith and obedience of Israel. God knows our secret sins, and let us therefore confess and forsake them, and He shall forgive us, and purify us, for His glory. (1 John 1:9-10)
2. Firstborn (21:15-21)
Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that ne may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn: (21:16)
God is not a respecter of persons. God commanded Israel that their fathers must give double portions of their inheritance to their firstborns, even though they hated them. This was God’s law to protect and honour the firstborns. Indeed, God shall richly bless us when we show no favouritism, but treat everyone equally, and obey Him. (Acts 10:34-35)
3. Father (22:1-30)
And the damsel’s father shall say unto the elders, I gave my daughter unto this man to wife, and he hateth her; (22:16)
One of God’s Ten Commandments, and the only one with a promise, is that we shall have longevity when we honour our parents. Indeed, parents are from God and they are our authority. Though they may not be perfect and godly parents, we must still obey them unless they are unreasonable and evil. God commanded Israel of how they must love others and their properties and never to commit dishonest or wicked deeds. One of the commands was concerning marriage, and unless the wife had committed fornication, the only reason for divorce, the father of the wife must protect her from her husband’s false accusation. This was not only to protect the innocence of his daughter, but also to make sure that her reputation was honoured. Children, let us honour and respect our parents as they raise us up for God’s glory. Let us, as parents, love and raise our children in God’s way, so that they shall know Him, and make Him known to others. (Ephesians 6:1-4)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are the Firstborn, my Saviour, who died for me.
Deuteronomy 19 & 20: THE CAPTAIN
Verse of the Day: (20:9) And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people.
1. Cities (19:1-21)
Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt separate three cities for thee. (19:7)
God commanded Israel to separate three cities from all the cities that they conquered so as to protect the alleged murderers until they were proven guilty by witnesses and evidence. Our God is a just and loving God, and He shall protect and preserve the innocent until they are proven guilty. However, we are all sinners, and though God loves sinners, He hates sins. This is why God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins, and whoever believes in Him shall never perish, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven. Thank God that He loves us so much that He shall keep us safe on earth, and one day, He shall promote us to His holy city in heaven. (Revelation 21:1-4)
2. Chariots (20:1-4)
When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. (20:1)
Everyone fears the unknown, and most of us fear death, and Israel was no different. They feared their enemies who had more horses and chariots than them, and they thought they shall never prevail against them, and possess their Promised Land. However, God kept encouraging them to look to Him, and assured them that He was with them, and He shall fight for them, and grant them victory over their enemies. Let us never trust in chariots or horses or material wealth, but in God who never fails us, not even once. (Psalms 20:7-9)
3. Captains (20:5-20)
And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it. (20:5)
Though God is a holy and just God yet He is also a loving and kind God as He commanded Israel that those who had new houses or just planted vineyards or just married, to return and enjoy their houses, vineyards or wives. He also commanded those who were fearful not to join the army as they might demoralise the rest of the army. God then appointed captains to lead the armies, and commanded them that they shall destroy all their enemies except the women, the children, the livestock and possessions. God loves and cares for Israel, and He is the Captain who shall lead them to victory and possess their Promised Land. Indeed, Jesus is the Captain of our salvation, and He shall lead us to victory over temptations as we follow Him to the end. (Hebrews 2:9-10)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are the Captain of my salvation now and forever.
Deuteronomy 17 & 18: A PROPHET
Verse of the Day: (18:18) I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
1. Priest (17:1-20)
And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and enquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment: (17:9)
God chose the priests, the descendants of Aaron, from the tribe of Levi, not only to serve at His sanctuary, but also to judge the affairs of Israel, and passed judgments upon them. Though these priests, like the Levites, had no inheritance, yet God was their spiritual inheritance, and had commanded the rest of the tribes to provide for all their needs by offering them the first-fruits of their crops or livestock. Today, we who believe in Jesus Christ are God’s priests, and are blessed with His wisdom and insights to judge and discern the affairs of others, and help them to resolves their differences. In fact, one day, in heaven we shall judge the angels. Let us therefore thank God for redeeming us from our sins, and choosing us to be His priests and judges for His glory. (1 Corinthians 6:1-8)
2. Perfect (18:1-14)
Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. (18:13)
God commanded Israel to be perfect before Him and to obey Him and His commandments, and never to worship idols and commit wickedness before Him. In fact, there were some who rebelled against Him, and worshipped idols of other nations, and even followed their evil ways by offering their children as sacrifices to these idols. God therefore judged and destroyed them for all their wicked deeds. Indeed, God’s blessings shall only be upon us as we strive to be perfect and holy before Him. (1 Peter 5:10-11)
3. Prophet (18:15-22)
The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; (18:15)
God knows the hearts and souls of man since He creates man. This is why though He knows the first couple, Adam and Eve, would choose to disobey Him, He had a redemption plan for them and the rest of mankind by the offering of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, for our sins so that we shall be reconciled to Him when we believe and receive Him as our personal Saviour. Even before Jesus came, God also prophesied to Israel that one day there shall be Prophet, who was none other than Jesus, from their own people, to come to this earth to preach and minister to them, and eventually to die on the cross and shed His precious blood for the sins of the whole world. Whoever truly believes in Him shall never perish, but have everlasting life with Him in pearly heaven. (Acts 3:22)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are my Prophet, Priest and my personal Saviour.
Deuteronomy 15 & 16: THE LORD’S RELEASE
Verse of the Day: (15:2) And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD’s release.
1. Release (15:1-23)
And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day. (15:15)
The LORD’s release is like the LORD’s redemption for our sins. As God, by His great love for Israel, miraculously delivered them out of slavery in Egypt and to their Promised Land, He commanded them to likewise release the debts their fellow Hebrews owed them, at the end of every seven years, so as to demonstrate not only their love for them, but their love for Him. Indeed, by God’s great love and amazing grace, He fully redeems us from our sins and fiery hell, and purifies us to be His peculiar people zealous of good works, and one day, He shall promote us to His glorious home in heaven. (Titus 2:11-15)
2. Rejoice (16:1-11)
And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there. (16:11)
God commanded Israel to rejoice in Him for His everlasting love and deliverance of all their troubles, especially His great deliverance of them out of Egypt, by observing the Passover and offering sacrifices to Him. God also commanded them to observe the feasts of unleavened bread, the feast of weeks and the feast of tabernacles, three times a year, where all the males shall offer their sacrifices, as He had blessed them with, before Him at the place where He chose. Indeed, let us rejoice in God always, in good and bad time, all the time, as He is always with us, and has never leave nor forsake us. (Philippians 4:4)
3. Remember (16:12-22)
And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt: and thou shalt observe and do these statutes. (16:12)
God commanded Israel to observe the Passover because He desired them to remember that without Him they were nobody, and could do nothing. In fact, time and again, Israel forgot God and rebelled against Him, and He had to judge and chastise them, until they remembered that there was no one, except Him, their only hope and help, who could help them in all their troubles. Indeed, let us remember to thank God for His Son, Jesus Christ, who died and shed His precious blood for our sins, so that we are miraculously delivered from eternal condemnation, and are bound for glorious heaven. (Ephesians 2:11-17)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am released and redeemed by Your precious blood.
Deuteronomy 13 & 14: A PECULIAR PEOPLE
Verse of the Day: (14:2) For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.
1. Prophet (13:1-18)
Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. (13:3)
God warned Israel of false prophets who would come and preach to them, and the only way to test them was to know that whatever they prophesied must come to pass. Indeed, the prophecy of God’s prophets shall come to pass, and this was the evidence that they were His prophets. God was also proving the faith of Israel, and their love for Him, when He tested them of their discernment in knowing the true from the false prophets. Let us therefore be careful when we hear God’s Word from His preachers, that they preach nothing except His Word, and that Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God. (1 John 4:1-6)
2. Peculiar (14:1-21)
Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother’s milk. (14:21)
God’s people are peculiar or holy people, and they are the minority in the world, because most people refuse to repent their sins and wickedness, and believe in the true and living God. Many in this world believe in themselves, just like the days of Moses, and until the day, when they encounter crises, then they realise they desperately need God to help them. God also commanded Israel for their health benefits to eat only the creatures that He approved of, such as ox, sheep, goat and deer. The creatures that God disapproved of were camel, hare, swine, and especially the dead creatures. God also forbad them to boil their young goat in his mother’s milk. Indeed, let us confess and repent our sins, and God is faithful not only to forgive our sins, but to make us His peculiar people. (1 Peter 2:9-10)
3. Place (14:22-29)
Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: (14:25)
God is a reasonable God, as He commanded Israel to sell their sacrifices, such as corn, wine, oil and flock for money, instead of carrying them to the faraway place where He had chosen for them to offer to Him. Indeed, God is reasonable, and He shall reason with you, and plead with you to confess and forsake your sins and believe in Him. (Isaiah 1:18)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am Your peculiar people because I believe in You.
Deuteronomy 11 & 12: The Eyes Of The LORD
Verse of the Day: (11:12) A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
1. Egypt (11:1-9)
And what he did unto the army of Egypt, unto their horses, and to their chariots; how he made the water of the Red sea to overflow them as they pursed after you, and how the LORD hath destroyed them unto this day; (11:4)
The main reason why God kept reminding Israel of how He had miraculously delivered them out of slavery in Egypt, and opened the mighty Red sea, so that they could cross dry to the other side, was because they kept forgetting His greatness, goodness and grace. Israel time and again failed God, but not once did He ever fail them. Indeed, let us always be thankful and grateful to God in everything, especially our precious salvation, that we are forgiven of our sins, and redeemed by His precious blood, and are spared from eternal condemnation, and bound for His home in glorious heaven. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
2. Eyes (11:10-32)
And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. (11:28)
God’s eyes were not just upon the Promised Land, that was filled with milk and honey, which He shall give to Israel, but they were especially upon the people of Israel, because He truly loved them. Though time and again, Israel rebelled and sinned against God, yet He always forgive them when they repented their sins, and returned to Him. However, God’s curse shall be upon them if they worshipped and followed the gods of the world, and refused to repent of their sins and wickedness, and believe in their God, the God of Israel, the true and living God. Indeed, God’s eyes are upon the righteous, and let us fully trust and obey Him, and He shall deliver us from all our afflictions. (Psalms 34:15-22)
3. Eat (12:1-32)
And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee. (12:7)
God through Moses commanded Israel to enjoy the food that they had offered to Him, and rejoiced for all their blessings from their hard work. However, they must remember that everything they had were from God, and that was nothing that truly belonged to them. God commanded them never to eat blood from their sacrifices, as it represented life, and truly life belonged to Him. Indeed, whatsoever we do, whether we eat or drink, let us do all for the glory of God, as He freely gives us all things to enjoy. (1 Corinthians 10:31-33)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that Your eyes are upon me, my family and my everything.
Deuteronomy 9 & 10: Fearing The LORD
Verse of the Day: (10:12) And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
1. Fire (9:1-6)
Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee. (9:3)
God is a consuming fire, in other words, He is a holy Judge who shall destroy all the sins and wickedness of the people. Israel was chosen to be God’s special nation, not for their righteousness, but because the rest of the nations were evil and wicked. God chose Israel to be His example of righteousness so that the rest of the world shall see their good works, and glorify, believe and follow Him. Indeed, our righteousness is in God. In the Old Testament era, God’s righteousness was with all believed in Him by faith, that one day, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Lamb of God, shall come to this earth and offer Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. Today, Jesus already came and died for our sins, and His righteousness is in us when we truly believe in Him. (Romans 5)
2. Forty (9:7-29)
When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water: (9:9)
The number forty means testing. Indeed, God tested Moses’ faith for forty days and nights, and he proved to be faithful to Him. Moses fasted and waited at the mountain for God’s Ten Commandments, in the form of tablets, so that he could bring them down to teach Israel to live by them. When Jesus came to earth, He too was tested for forty days and nights without food by the devil, and He passed the tests with flying colours. Let us be like Moses and Jesus, and endure God’s testing so that we shall come forth victoriously as gold tried in the furnace of fire of trials and tribulations. (Matthew 4:1-11)
3. Fear (10:1-22)
Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. (10:20)
Again, God through Moses reminded Israel to fear and obey Him and His holy Commandments, as this was the only way that His abundant blessings shall be upon them and their future generations. Indeed, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and let us fear and serve Him and give Him all the glory, honour and praise. (Proverbs 9:10)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to fear and obey You and Your holy Commandments.
Deuteronomy 7 & 8: Are You Special?
Verse of the Day: (7:6) For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
1. Special (7:1-16)
But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. (7:9)
Israel is a special nation because God chooses to love them, and promised Abraham, their founding father that He shall bless them provided they believed and obeyed Him. However, Israel failed God many times, yet He does not give up on them. Today, God is still pleading with them to believe in Him and turn to Him. There is nothing special in us, in fact, we are sinners, yet God loves us, and not only He forgives us, but He saves us from fiery hell, and one day, He shall promote us to His glorious heaven. (1 Peter 2:9-10)
2. Signs (7:17-26)
The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the LORD thy God brought thee out: so shall the LORD thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid. (7:19)
One of God’s great signs was the opening of the majestic Red sea. Israel cried out to God when they were sandwiched between the Red sea, and the Egyptian army, who wanted to destroy them. God’s servant, Moses, by faith obeyed God, and stretched out his hand over the sea, and God miraculously opened it, so that they could cross it dry to the other side, and then miraculously closed it upon the pursuing Egyptians. (Exodus 14:15-22)
3. Suffering (8:1-20)
And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. (8:3)
No one enjoy suffering, yet Moses chose to suffer. As a baby, Moses’ parents cast him out in an ark so that others could save and raise him up. By God’s providence, Pharaoh’s daughter found him, and raised him as her own son. Again, by God’s providence, Moses’ mother was chosen to raise her son. When Moses grew up, by faith, he chose to deliver Israel, his own people, from the Egyptians, than to be their prince. He suffered for 40 years before God eventually used him to deliver Israel out of Egypt. (Hebrews 11:23-29)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am special because I receive You as my Saviour.
Deuteronomy 5 & 6: Ten To Two
Verse of the Day: (5:10) And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
1. Commandments (5:1-33)
O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! (5:29)
Trust and obey God for there is no other way if we truly desire His rich and abundant blessings. God through Moses time and again reminded Israel to trust and fear Him, and keep and obey His commandments if they truly desired His blessings. When Jesus came to earth to die for the sins of the whole world, He taught the people to obey the Ten Commandments and summarised them into Two Commandments. Jesus’ first commandment is that we must love God with all our hearts, souls and minds, which actually covers the first four commandments of the Ten Commandments: 1. There is only one God. 2. Do not worship idols. 3. Do not take the name of God in vain. 4. Keep the Sabbath holy. Jesus’ second commandment is that we must love others as ourselves, which wraps up the rest of the Ten Commandments: 5. Honour your parents so that you have longevity. 6. Do not kill. 7. Do not commit adultery. 8. Do not steal. 9. Do not bear false witness. 10. Do not covet. Indeed, God’s blessings shall be upon us if we love Him with all our hearts, souls and minds, and love others as ourselves. (Matthew 22:36-40)
2. Children (6:1-15)
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (6:7)
Way before man knows the value and importance of education and discipline, God already through Moses commanded Israel that they shall be blessed and prosperous if they would teach their children the Ten Commandments whenever and wherever they were. Indeed, God’s blessings shall be upon us and our children as we teach them in believing Him, and trusting and obeying His Word and commandments. (Proverbs 22:6)
3. Cast (6:16-25)
To cast out all thine enemies from before thee, as the LORD hath spoken. (6:19)
Again, God through Moses, assured Israel that He shall fight for them, and cast out their enemies, and grant them victory to possess their Promised Land. Never did God failed Israel, yet they failed Him many times. Let us commit and yield our lives to God, and He shall cast out our enemies, the likes of the Devil, death and temptations, and grant us victory through Jesus. Indeed, God can do anything except fail! (1 Corinthians 15:55-58)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to love You with all my heart, and to love others too.
Deuteronomy 3 & 4: Who Will Fight For You?
Verse of the Day: (3:22) Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you.
1. Fight (3:1-29)
But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see. (3:28)
God through Moses reminded Israel to be strong, and fear not, and that He shall fight for them and they shall eventually possess their Promised Land. In fact, this was Moses’ last service before he passed his leadership to Joshua, and his prayer to God was that he would be able to enter the Promised Land. However, God denied Moses’ prayer, because he had disobeyed Him, when he struck instead of speaking to the rock, so that water flowed out of it, and Israel could quench their thirst. Even though Moses did not enter the Promised Land, but God promoted him to the perfect Promised Land, Heaven! Indeed, let us pray according to God’s will, and though our prayers maybe denied, let us remember that He knows best what is best for us. Even though God shall fight for us, and grant us victory, yet we must on our part work hard in everything, whether be it our study, career, ministry, etc. Finally, let us put on God’s armour, and let Him fight for us, and we shall surely overcome the Devil and temptations, and claim His victory. (Ephesians 6:10-19)
2. Forget (4:1-13)
Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons; (4:9)
God through Moses commanded Israel never forget to teach His Ten Commandments and all His related laws to all his descendants so that He shall richly bless them. In fact, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is from the line of Israel. Indeed, let us teach our children and future generations, and bring them up in God’s nurture and admonition, so that He shall bless us with His perfect peace and prosperity all the days of our lives! (Ephesians 6:1-4)
3. Fire (4:14-49)
For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God. (4:24)
Even though Israel had yet to cross the river Jordan and fight with their enemies, God through Moses already warned them never to take Him for granted, and rebel and disobey Him, otherwise He shall judge and discipline them, and they shall fail in their inheritance of their Promised Land. Indeed, God is a consuming fire, and a jealous God, and He desires that all His people trust and obey Him so that they shall have great victory over the Devil and temptations, and always enjoy His rich blessings. Indeed, whom God loves, He chastises, just like a father chastises his children for their good. (Hebrews 12:6-11)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You shall fight for me in everything as I trust in You.
