Observe them faithfully, for that will be proof of your wisdom and discernment to other peoples, who on hearing all these laws will say, “Surely, that great nation is a wise and discerning people.” Deuteronomy 4:6 Surely – The nations will be amazed. That’s what Moses says about an obedient Israel. “Surely,” is the Hebrew…
Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; 1 John 2:7 Old – Just how old is John’s “old commandment”? Does John start counting with the teaching of Jesus, or does his reckoning begin earlier than that? Does John think that Jesus’…
and you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates Deuteronomy 6:9 Doorposts – Come with me to Haiti and you will see something puzzling on some houses. Painted on the mud walls are strange symbols and designs (You can see a photo in my Haiti collection here). These are…
“Oh, that there were a heart like this in them, to fear Me, and to keep all My commandments all the days, that it might be well with them, and with their sons forever.” Deuteronomy 5:29 Be Well – “All things work together for good.” Paul said that. He believed it. Do we? I’m pretty…
24 You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Deuteronomy 4:2 Add / Take Away – Do you think that God is serious when He says we are not to add…
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field or his male servant or his female servant, his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor. Deuteronomy 5:21 Covet / Desire – Heart surgery is a really bloody operation. No matter how well prepared…
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field or his male servant or his female servant, his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor. Deuteronomy 5:21 Covet / Desire – The seat of action is the attitude of the heart. So, it’s…
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor Deuteronomy 5:20 False – It’s court language, but it’s not limited to trials. The word picture recalls the witness stand. “Do you swear to tell the truth?” The answer better be “Yes.” In front of the judge and jury, we want true testimony. So does God. …
You shall not steal Deuteronomy 5:19 Steal – My interactions with young men in the jail always revealed the cultural destruction of morality. The many times I heard the excuse, “But I gave some of what I stole to people who needed it,” only served to highlight our Robin Hood syndrome. Stealing is justifiable if…
“but I say unto you, that every one who looks on a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:28 To Lust – Ours is a world of violence. We believe that the powerful win. We think that protection means military might. We find safety in guns. …
