Posts by Josh Moody
Deuteronomy 27-28: Blessings and Curses
Deuteronomy 27-28, Psalm 69:1-18, Matthew 27:45-56, Romans 14 Deuteronomy 27-28: If the last section was somewhat apparently miscellaneous—though there was actually an undergirding logic, even if it was one that was relatively hard to discern—this section has a crystal clear basic structure. It is highly repetitive and based upon a simple idea and instruction. God sets up a…
Read MoreDeuteronomy 22-26: Grace Obedience
Deuteronomy 22-26, Psalm 68, Matthew 27:27-44, Romans 13 Deuteronomy 22-26: This section is entitled in many Bible versions as “Various Laws” which does not particularly encourage the careful attention of the average reader! To be fair, though much of these chapters bespeak “various laws,” there is also an undergirding rationale behind it that comes right at the end…
Read MoreDeuteronomy 18-21: Foreshadows
Deuteronomy 18-21, Psalm 67, Matthew 27:11-26, Romans 12:9-21 Deuteronomy 18-21: These chapters begin with laws regarding priests (18:1-8) who are set aside especially for sacrifices and priestly duties around the place (the temple) that God shall designate. As a result, the priests, the tribe of Levi, shall have no inheritance with the other tribes and therefore gain their…
Read MoreDeuteronomy 13-17: A Godly Nation
Deuteronomy 13-17, Psalm 66, Matthew 27:1-10, Romans 12:1-8 Deuteronomy 13-17: There is a lot of material in these massive chapters. To begin, the possibility of a false prophet is raised (13:1-5). How are they to tell who is false and who is genuine? One test is doctrinal. Are they teaching people to follow other gods (13:2)? If so,…
Read MoreDeuteronomy 9-12: Serve God
Deuteronomy 9-12, Psalm 65, Matthew 26:57-75, Romans 11:25-38 Deuteronomy 9-12: Moses’ extraordinary exposition of God’s Word continues with another “Hear, O Israel” (9:1), this time not the great command to love God, but the great commission to go in and take possession of the land (9:1-3). They are to remember who God is: he is a “consuming fire,”…
Read MoreDeuteronomy 6-8: Grace in Action
Deuteronomy 6-8, Psalm 64, Matthew 26:36-56, Romans 11:1-24 Deuteronomy 6-8: The evangelistic thrust of Deuteronomy continues, laying to rest all the misconceptions that people still have of the Torah (that it is “legalistic”) and showing us clearly that the Law of God was given to a people who had been rescued, that grace forms a people who then…
Read MoreDeuteronomy 4-5: Law
Deuteronomy 4-5, Psalm 63, Matthew 26:17-35, Romans 10 Deuteronomy 4-5: Two great chapters are before us which defy easy summary in a few words, and yet at the same time must be understood simply if we are to obey their basic thrust, which is, “do not forget.” Deuteronomy 4:9, “lest you forget,” underpins much of the instruction of…
Read MoreDeuteronomy 1-3: Do Not Fear
Deuteronomy 1-3, Psalm 62, Matthew 26:1-16, Romans 9:19-33 Deuteronomy 1-3: The Book of Deuteronomy, the “second law,” is a series of Moses’ sermons given to Israel as they are on the verge of entering the Promised Land that recount the story of God’s rescue, God’s Word, and their needed obedience of that Word. “These are the words of…
Read MoreNumbers 33-36: The Lord’s Commands
Numbers 33-36, Psalm 61, Matthew 25:31-46, Romans 9:1-18 Numbers 33-36: The Book of Numbers, or the wandering in the wilderness, is coming towards the end. It finishes on a note that captures the spirit of the book in some ways: “These are the commandments and the rules that the LORD commanded through Moses to the people of Israel in…
Read MoreNumbers 31-32: Promise and Judgment
Numbers 31-32, Psalm 60, Matthew 25:14-30, Romans 8:18-30 Numbers 31-32: These are not easy words to read. “Vengeance” is commanded (31:1-3), and does indeed ensue, upon the Midianites (31:4-12). In fact, when it is discovered that the victory over the people of Midian has been insufficiently thorough or harsh, Moses commands that every male child and every adult…
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