Deuteronomy introduces the sermons of Moses, when God spoke his word to the people of Israel through Moses. Among those sermons, God affirmed that he had delivered the people of Israel from the captivity of Egypt, because they were troubled and wanted freedom from the Pharaoh. Almighty God gave them mercy and set them free. His original plan was to take them to Canaan. However, because of their disobedience, God punished them by letting then wander in the wilderness for 40 years. God wanted the people of Israel to depend upon him and looked to him for guidance.
Deuteronomy 8:1 says, “Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today.” The commands includes the Ten Commandment, all of Gods’ laws and decrees (v. 11) in the first five books of the Old Testament. And the people of Israel were to keep the law of God, so that they could be blessed by God (4:1, 40; 5:1, 33; 6:1 - 3, 17; 7; 11). The message of Deuteronomy is to teach that believers of God are to follow the law of God no matter what happens. In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses gave three sermons to the people of Israel before they came to Canaan (1:1 - 4;43; 4:44 - 26:19; 27:1 - 34:12). In the sermons, Moses preached how the people of Israel were to follow God, as they were chosen by God. They were told to keep the law of God. The law of God was the word of God, which was the covenant between God and his people (Exodus 19:5-6). If the people of Israel followed the law of God, they were blessed, if they didn’t, they were cursed by God. They did not follow his words and spent 40 years in the wilderness. Following the law of God means to depend upon God.
Our God continued to stress the importance of the word of God. Deuteronomy 8:2 says, “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.” God’s initial plan was to guide the people of Israel to Canaan directly from Egypt, but they did not follow his law. They ended up struggling because of their disobedience, so God tested them for forty years.
Deuteronomy 8:3 says, “He (God) humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” While Jesus was tempted by Satan, he took comfort the same passage. In the same way, God provided the people of Israel with manna, so that they could survive for a time in the wilderness. But manna was not enough. It is temporary. They needed permanent food, which was the word of God.
Our God thus gave the people of Israel the law of God and they were to keep it at all times. Through the word of God, God taught that they were to obey and follow God.
In the time of Jesus, there were some fishermen, who had trouble, because they did not catch any fish and they were given up. Right at that time, they met Jesus and were instructed to let down their net. Once they obeyed, they caught many fish. Believers of God are to obey God at all time even when they don’t understand. Obeying God means following God and keeping the word of God in this world.
Moses continued to speak. Let us read together, Deuteronomy 8:6, “Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him.” In those days, the people of Israel were not powerful unlike other nations. However, they served God Almighty, who was God of gods and Lord of lords. He cared for them. If they depended upon God, God gave them victory. If they didn’t, they lost.
At the beginning of the year 2019, you might have set up many plans for you, your family and company. Remember that we are to set up our plans based on God. Once you obey and follow the word of God, he will guide you what to do and how to do all of your works in this world. Depend upon God no matter what happens. Then he will care for you, guide you, and bless you.
Rev Dr Je Cheol Cook
Our God continued to stress the importance of the word of God. Deuteronomy 8:2 says, “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.” God’s initial plan was to guide the people of Israel to Canaan directly from Egypt, but they did not follow his law. They ended up struggling because of their disobedience, so God tested them for forty years.
Deuteronomy 8:3 says, “He (God) humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” While Jesus was tempted by Satan, he took comfort the same passage. In the same way, God provided the people of Israel with manna, so that they could survive for a time in the wilderness. But manna was not enough. It is temporary. They needed permanent food, which was the word of God.
Our God thus gave the people of Israel the law of God and they were to keep it at all times. Through the word of God, God taught that they were to obey and follow God.
In the time of Jesus, there were some fishermen, who had trouble, because they did not catch any fish and they were given up. Right at that time, they met Jesus and were instructed to let down their net. Once they obeyed, they caught many fish. Believers of God are to obey God at all time even when they don’t understand. Obeying God means following God and keeping the word of God in this world.
Moses continued to speak. Let us read together, Deuteronomy 8:6, “Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him.” In those days, the people of Israel were not powerful unlike other nations. However, they served God Almighty, who was God of gods and Lord of lords. He cared for them. If they depended upon God, God gave them victory. If they didn’t, they lost.
At the beginning of the year 2019, you might have set up many plans for you, your family and company. Remember that we are to set up our plans based on God. Once you obey and follow the word of God, he will guide you what to do and how to do all of your works in this world. Depend upon God no matter what happens. Then he will care for you, guide you, and bless you.
Rev Dr Je Cheol Cook