Skip to main content

TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE

Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.

(180) 29 June : Proverbs 14v31 / Deuteronomy 32v48-34v12 / Psalm 41v7-13

BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."

Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. 

Wisdom to chew on

Understanding to grow in
Between the instruction and then activity of Moses climbing Mount Nebo, we have his blessings on the twelve tribes (32v48-52, 34v1-8). Israel are pictured as humbly receiving God’s law with Moses acting like a king. This is the ideal for God’s people. The focus is on the tribe of Levi. Not sharing in Israel's grumbling, they proved their qualification to watch over God’s word and guard his covenant when they put him first by executing his judgement even on their relatives (Exodus 17). It seems this is why the decision-making of the Thummim and Urim are entrusted to them. Their other tasks are to teach the law, and co-ordinate Israel’s worship. And Moses prays for them to be blessed and protected in this. Within the church too, it is those who have proved themselves who are to be given the greater responsibility (1 Tim 3:2-4, 10). The other blessings are those we’ve come to expect: increase, strength, security, abundance, wealth, and favour. They are Israel’s because there is “no-one” like her God, whose power and readiness to bless is seen in him being a king, riding on the clouds of the heavens “to help.” We can apply this wonderful language to ourselves as God’s people now. He effectively “rode” to help us in Christ, who will return on a horse named “faithful and true,” to defeat all God’s enemies (Rev 19v11). The book ends with Moses climbing Mount Nebo. In granting him a view of the land, God is portrayed as acting kindly so Moses would see what he had worked so hard to achieve. However, his death is the penalty for his lack of faith in Numbers 20v6-12 (see also 32v51). His role is passed to Joshua, but the book ends looking later generations to a prophet and King (33v5, 18v15) like Moses, who will speak God’s word and administer his will. As you read note the detail of the various blessings.

Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.

Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.