Deuteronomy 17  "You shall not sacrifice to the Lord your God an ox or a sheep which has a blemish or any defect, for that is a detestable thing to the Lord your God."   The KJV calls it an abomination.. disgusting.. an abhorrence... evil.   The Lord will judge that kind of disrespect and "evilfavoredness" . 

Malachi spoke against this very sin:  "A son honors his father and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name... You are presenting defiled food upon My altar.. when you present the blind for sacrifice is it not evil? and when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil?" ( Malachi 1:6-8)

Moses was speaking about justice in 16:20.. stopped to speak about detestable sacrifices.. and then went back to the subject of justice. .. speaking of another "detestable" sin... idol worship..  "If there is found in your midst, in any of your towns, which the Lord your God is giving you, a man or a woman who does what is evil in the sight of the Lord your God, by transgressing His covenant and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun or the moon or any of the heavenly host... if it is true and the thing is certain that this detestable thing has been done in Israel.. " then the sentence is death.. but. there must be at least 2-3 witnesses, who must be the first to cast their stones. 

If "any case is too difficult for you to decide.." the matter would be taken to a higher authority... Jerusalem. The decision would then be made by the Levitical priest or the judge "who is in office in those days."  Or.. the king that they would eventually demand.  What was and is most important is that every decision would be based on the "words of this law and these statutes.." 

The Lord is clear in His word about what is acceptable and good in His sight.. mercy, justice, and the fear of the Lord... He is also clear about what is detestable - anything that is not according to His Word, anything that does not bring glory to His Name.. anything that is false or evil.  ".. you shall not turn aside from the word.. to the right or the left.."  And do not act "presumptuously by not listening.. to the priest who stand there to serve the Lord your God."  This is also evil in His sight.. arrogance and pride.. rebellion against the Lord or His representative.

Father in heaven, we honor Your Holy Name, bringing our sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving.. o may we not bring anything detestable.. anything false or arrogant or prideful.. but only sincere worship in the name of Jesus Christ, who is the perfect Lamb.  Remove every unclean thing from us.. any thoughts or motives, any selfish or self-centeredness.. any pride or arrogance.  May our lives be washed clean and kept pure by the blood of the Savior who covers us and fills us with Himself.  Help us to be people who do justice, show mercy and love others in sincerity and truth. We come to You in the name of Jesus Christ our King.. desiring to do Your will in all things. amen. 

 Deuteronomy 14-16  These chapters are reminders about what it meant for Israel to be "sons of the Lord your God.."  He calls them "a holy people." ... a chosen people.. "a people for His own possession.. "  Therefore their lives would be set apart from the nations by what they ate; what they tithed; what they did;  and what they celebrated. 

Chapter 14 gives the details about what was clean or unclean in God's sight regarding meat. God's commands were meant for Israel's good.  We may not understand them or practice them.. but they were vital to God's people for His purposes.  This chapter also touches on tithing from the grain, wine, and oil, the first-born cattle and sheep.. "in order that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always."  Obeying God's commands would bring rejoicing to His people.. all the people, rich and poor alike ... for this would provide for "the Levite.. the alien, the orphan, and the widow" so that all would be "satisfied".  

Chapter 15 reminded the people of keeping the sabbath year.. when debts were to be forgiven  and kinsman would release their brothers from service. It was a time to be generous and not prideful or greedy. 

Chapter 16 restated the laws for the feasts of Passover, Weeks, and Booths.  They were to "remember all the days of your life the day when you came out of the land of Egypt.."  The Lord didn't want Israel to forget that they had been slaves and that He had brought them out to this Promised Land and blessed them with all that He provided.  The harvest was because of His grace. The work of their hands that brought about produce..was because of God's blessing.  God wanted and still wants His people to remember Him.. He holds everything in His hands and without Him.. we can do nothing.  Come and rejoice in the goodness of God!

The Words that Jesus spoke echo these words from the ancient message to Israel.. "Remember! " All that we have is from the hand of our Father in heaven,  He has brought us out of slavery to sin.. out of darkness.. out of hopelessness.. and blessed us with all that we need.  We are reminded that we are also a chosen people.. holy to the Lord, His own possession, because of the Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins.  He reminds us that we need to distinguish between what is clean and what is unclean.. not so much in what we eat.. but in all that we take into our minds and hearts and lives.  He reminds us to practice forgiveness and generosity towards our brothers and sisters in Christ.  He reminds us to rejoice in the Lord for His many blessings - with sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. He also reminds us to practice justice and righteous judgement (16:19-20)  These things were commandments for Israel in their new land and they are important for our walk with Jesus in the land where we dwell.

 May we keep our eyes on Jesus and walk in His ways by the power of His Sprit who lives in us. Help us Father we pray.. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Deuteronomy 13  This message talks about idolatry.. following or going after any "other god".. any god "whom you  have not known" as Moses repeats here several times.  The problem introduced here is those who are "false" prophets.  Prophets who dream dreams and even do signs and wonders... but entice them to turn to other gods.   The Lord warns His people to "not listen" to any such prophet. 

Listen to the methods used by these people:  They counsel rebellion. (v5);  they "seduce you from the way" (v5); they "entice you secretly" (v6);  they seek "to seduce you from the Lord your God.." (v10); they can even "seduce" a whole city with their words and deeds. (v13)

Don't listen!  the Lord warns us. ".. if you will listen to the voice of the Lord your God, keeping all of His commandments.. and doing what is right in the sight of the Lord your God.."  then you will receive mercy and compassion and blessing.  But, failing the test and turning away from the Lord for false gods.. false promises.. seductive and rebellious promises.. will result in destruction . 

Satan still uses the same tactics in our day that he used since the garden .. seductive lies; false promises; counseling rebellion.. trying to seduce God's people to forget the voice of the Lord and listen to his own words that lead to destruction.  How many in our world, even now are dreamers of dreams.. trying to seduce men and women.. cities and countries.. away from the ways of the Lord.. to follow false gods.. false religions.. false ways.  We see whole cities.. even many states in our own country.. and whole nations.. who have been seduced by the lies of satan.. enticed to believe the lies that lead only to destruction and not to blessing and mercy and compassion which are found only in the Lord our God. 

Father in heaven, hear our prayers as we call upon You ... send forth Your Spirit of Truth to move in Your people.  May we speak up and proclaim Your Holy Name.. to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ who came to shine Your Light into this dark world. Deliver us from the evil one who seeks to blind the eyes of mankind. Let the glory of Your grace and goodness fill the earth we pray, in the name of Jesus the King of heaven and earth. Amen! 

 Deuteronomy 12 The Israelites were about to enter the promised land.  Moses gives them some new instructions for sacrifices.. a transition that will take place when the tabernacle is moved into a central location and the people are scattered into their various tribes.  At that point they would "seek the Lord at the place which the Lord your God shall choose from all your tribes to establish His name there for His dwelling and there you shall come." (v5) 

Every offering, tithe, and contribution would be brought to this place and offered no where else. "And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your sons and daughters, your male and female servants and the Levite who is within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance with you."

The Lord gives them permission to slaughter and eat meat when they desired to.. as long as it was not the meat set apart for a holy offering before the Lord.  That could only be done at the place God chose... this would eventually be the city of Jerusalem. 

"Be careful to listen to all theses words which I command you, in order that it may be well with you.. " 

Every place where the nations before them had offered evil sacrifices was supposed to be destroyed and every practice of idolatry was meant to be forever extinguished.  How sad that Israel failed to listen and obey these commands from the Lord.  

Verses 8-9 are especially relevant for us today, "You shall not do at all what we are doing here today, every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes; for you have not yet come to the resting place and the inheritance which the Lord your God is giving you."  What is right is that we turn away from every false way that the world promotes.  We worship our God only in the place He chooses.. which according to Jesus is not on a mountain or in Jerusalem..  "true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth"  ( John 4:23) Jesus is the place.. the person that God has chosen.  He is our resting place and our inheritance. He is where we rejoice before the Lord our God.  It is in Jesus that we are well and where we find all that is good and right in the sight of the God of gods and Lord of lords, the Great and Mighty, Awesome God that we serve. 

Father in heaven, we come to You for grace and mercy.. to find the fulness of Your love and salvation through our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Help us to do Your will and to rejoice in Your Word. May we worship You in spirit and in truth all the days of our lives.  May we live in the Light and Love that You have poured out on us through Your Spirit in the name of Jesus. We give You our thanks and our praise. Amen. 

 Deuteronomy 11 The Lord makes it clear.. once again.. that obedience to His commands will result in blessings.. and disobedience will result in judgement. 

Israel was given a clear direction ..  a path to prosperity and blessing from the hand of God. He had spoken to them from the mountain; He had done great and mighty works among them;  He had shown them His judgements upon those who refused to obey or listen to Him.  Everything He did and said had prepared them for this moment.. at the edge of the Land He would give them. 

The land that Israel would receive was the Lord's own land.  He cares for that land, the Word tells us.  "the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning even to the end of the year." (v12).  The Lord would provide rain in season. He would bless the land with grain and wine and oil.  He would provide grass for the cattle.. "and you shall eat and be satisfied."   

All they needed to do was to keep His commandments.  "For if you are careful  to keep all this commandment which I am commanding you, to do it, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and hold fast to Him;  then the Lord will drive out all these nations from before you.. " 

Listening and doing God's word results in blessings.. beyond anything imagined. - the Lord tells His people.. but to not listen.. to turn aside.. to follow other gods.. would result in the curse...  (v27-28) .. "be careful" (v32). 

God's directions have not changed because He never changes.  He still gives us the same choices.. to love Him and obey His Word.. or to turn aside and not listen.  One brings life.. the other choice brings judgement.. ultimate destruction.  Every one of us must make that decision. Failure to follow Him and obey His Word will result in death.. eternal destruction.  But, if we will look to Jesus, surrender to Him and receive Him as the Lord and Savior that He is.. we will receive every blessing that He has promised for eternity. 

Father in heaven, open the eyes of the blind.. all who are still walking in darkness..  bring them back to the Truth of Who You are.. the Great, the Mighty, the Awesome God... Creator of heaven and earth.. Who has offered Life and Blessing to all who would call upon Your Name.  We get so wrapped up in all of the things of this earth that we fail to see the reality of what is "unseen" - eternity.. a future far greater and of more importance than the petty things of this mortal life.   Do we choose.. Eternity.. in heaven.. in Your glorious Presence with greater blessings than we can ever imagine.. or eternal suffering in the fires of hell?  We are foolish to allow this decision to wait.. "Choose Life!" Your word tells us... and we do!  We choose to come before You in repentance and faith in Jesus Christ who has become the Way, the Truth and the Life.  We pray for those we love.. that they would also make this decision.. today!   Help them Father!  Thank You for such grace and mercy, Father. Amen. 

 Deuteronomy 9-10  Moses reminded the Israelites that they were going into a land to "dispossess nations greater and mightier than you.. "  It would be a victory that the Lord their God would bring.. not because they deserved it or earned it by being righteous.. for they were far from it.  God would remove the other nations because of their own wickedness.. not because of Israel's righteousness.  For they were NOT righteous at all... 

Moses reminds them of the days when the nation was at Mt Horeb.  They had all made the covenant with the Lord their God.. but within 40 days, as Moses was on the mountain meeting with God and the fire was right in front of their eyes.. they begged for an idol.. a golden calf.. and worshipped it. 

God saw the wickedness of Israel.  He was ready to blot them out and make a nation from Moses.. but Moses interceded for the people.  Aaron, the appointed High Priest, had made the idol..and would have been destroyed, but Moses prayed for him too. This was not the only time that Israel rebelled and sinned against God.. over and over they complained and sinned. God called them "stubborn" and "wicked".  Yet, He relented and forgave them when Moses prayed and they repented. 

God had given them the  10 commandments.  Now, He gives them this command, "And, now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, and love Him, and to serve the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the Lord's commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?" 

Then, Moses reminds the people Who their God really is:

"Behold, to the Lord your God belong the heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it." (v14)  

"For the Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality, nor take a bribe. He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing. (17-18)

"He is your praise and He is your God, who had done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen." (v21) 

This God.. chose to "set His affection" on the fathers of this nation.. He chose to love Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and to make them a nation "above all peoples".  Therefore, He tells them..  "Circumcise then your heart, and stiffen your neck no more." (v16)   Instead, "fear the Lord your God;" .. "serve Him and cling to Him.. " 

Father in heaven, God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty and the awesome God.. You are our praise.. You are our God through the Lord Jesus Christ who has mediated for us a better covenant. You choose to love us and call us Your own when we come to faith in Jesus.. a faith not or ourselves, but a gift from Your loving hand. We come to praise and worship You, the God of heaven and earth, for there is no other.  You alone have purchased our redemption by the sacrifice of the Beloved Son.  How can we thank You enough?  We desire only to love You and serve You with all our hearts and souls. We cling to You and surrender our whole selves to You. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Deuteronomy 8  Moses continued to speak to the Israelites about the ways that God has proved to them that they are His people and He is their God. The covenant between them would not be broken if they would walk in His ways and obey His commands.  Moses told them to "be careful to do" all the Lord had told them.  ".. .remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you.. " 

Remember the lessons of the wilderness, Moses told them.  Remember how God taught them to live by His Word.. not by bread alone.  He humbled them.  He disciplined them. He provided for them.  He was giving them a land.. "a good land" where they would lack nothing..  a land of blessing after blessing... 

But.. "Beware lest you forget the Lord your God.. "  Moses warned again. Don't forget to obey the Lord's commandments.  Don't be satisfied with the blessings.. of houses, of herds and flocks.. of silver and gold.. don't be prideful  and "forget" that it all came from the Lord.  

"But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day."  To forget.. to turn to idols.. to  be like the nations that were about to perish.. would bring about their own destruction... "you shall surely perish." 

This is just as important for us today.. this message of truth and encouragement, as well as warning.  We need to remember all the ways that God has led us and carefully, diligently, abide in Jesus.  God has provided a new covenant through the broken body and poured out blood of Jesus so that we can enter a "good land".. better than the promised land of Israel... a heavenly dwelling place where we will find every blessing.. eternal life with our Lord. Remember.. Jesus told His disciples.. Remember Me until I return. 

Father in heaven, may we never forget You and the greatness of Your love and salvation provided for all who will believe in Jesus, Your Beloved Son.  May we be careful to abide in Your Word and to do Your will. Once again we ask that You would equip us with all that is good so that we can do Your will. Work in us all that is pleasing to Your heart.  Fill us with the fullness of God, Holy Spirit. Come and have Your way in us today, we pray. Amen.