I was reading my bible before bed the other day (I know, I’m a wild man) when I came across a few passages in Deuteronomy which caught my eye. Deuteronomy is the book where Moses sums up the 40 years wandering in the wilderness, recounts the laws and the need to faithfully follow God. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus cited Deuteronomy 6:5 as a Great Commandment.
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22: 35-40
So let’s have a closer look. These are the parts that grabbed my attention. Moses warns the people what will happen if they do not follow God and his laws.
— Jonathan Davies (@JonD99) February 28, 2019
“Your sons and your daughters shall be given to another people, while your eyes look on and fail with longing for them all day long, but you shall be helpless. A nation that you have not known shall eat up the fruit of your ground and of all your labours, and you shall be only oppressed and crushed continually, so that you are driven mad by the sights that your eyes see.” Deuteronomy 28: 32-34.
Sounds strangely familiar…
“The LORD will bring a nation against you from far away, from the end of the earth, swooping down like the eagle, a nation whose language you do not understand, a hard-faced nation who shall not respect the old or show mercy to the young.” Deuteronomy 28: 49-50.
I wonder who this could be?
“They shall besiege you in all your towns, until your high and fortified walls, in which you trusted, come down throughout all your land. And they shall besiege you in all your towns throughout all your land, which the LORD your God has given you.” Deuteronomy 28: 52.
The towns you say?
— Jonathan Davies (@JonD99) February 28, 2019
“Whereas you were as numerous as the stars of heaven, you shall be left few in number, because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God.” Deuteronomy 28: 62.
— Jonathan Davies (@JonD99) February 28, 2019
These are the warnings of what will happen for not following God and the laws, the curses against disobedience. But, as always, God does not cut you off forever. He always offers a way back. There is punishment, but there is always forgiveness if there is repentance. There is always hope.
“…and return to the LORD your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul, then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you…” Deuteronomy 30: 2-3
So there you have it, short and (not so) sweet. Something to make you think. Now, I know there will be many atheists and others reading this that will disregard it as all made up twaddle, stupid belief in a sky fairy and whatever. Fair enough, I respect your position. I’m sure the courts, police and politicians will look after you and your interests. I will put my faith in God.
© Jonathon Davies 2019
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