the essence of deuteronomy - a god that seeks a loving relationship

THE ESSENCE OF DEUTERONOMY Understanding God – A reflection on verses from

Deuteronomy

31st Jan 2016

Reading: Deuteronomy 7

WHY READ THE LAW?

WHY STUDY THE LAW?

IS THE LAW OUTDATED?

UNDERSTANDING GOD FROM DEUTERONOMY Laying the foundation about God through the teachings of Moses

OUR FATHER Moses paints a picture

of the Great God of the the Universe as a Father

God wants to be a Father Unfortunately, For many Christians the

God in Deuteronomy is one of Anger and judgment only

God was with his children on the difficult journeys of their life as a Father

“Because the LORD hated us, he has brought us forth out of the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Amorite” Deu 1:27  [A mis-understood God]

A GOD THAT SEEKS A LOVING RELATIONSHIP

God seeks a loving relationship This is the CORE message of the Law

[ Imagine if a person walks up to you and demanded to Love him I.e. Not just to like him, What would your reaction be? This is to love our neighbors as ourselves

]

A LOVE DRIVEN LIFE = OVERCOME EVIL Love gives us the ability to: Remember his rules

Deu 6:6  And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.

Follow his rules Deu 6:2

  that you may fear the LORD your God, you and your son and your son's son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long.

The Law has victory in Love

THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD - A CORE TEACHING

DO YOU LOVE YHWH?

How?

A RELATIONSHIP THAT’S PASSED ON

WHAT DOES OUR FATHER REQUIRE OF US?

Only Love can conquer!

To follow Gods ways Fear Walk Serve Observe

Love is the Key ingredient

What one loves that he Does

WHAT ABOUT GOD’S LOVE FOR THE PEOPLE?It was God who first loved Israel and called them

out to be his people

A GOD THAT LOVES

A GOD WHO FIGHTS YOUR

BATTLE

OUR GOD IS A MERCIFUL GOD

In the end, Mercy triumphs over judgment

BUT, A GOD WHO WAITS FOR YOU – THERE IS HOPEGod uses judgment when all other methods are exhausted

But,He waits with outstretched arms for those who are wiling to return

FOR OUR GOOD ALWAYS

GOD WHO IS AMONG YOU

A GOD WHO LISTENS TO PRAYERS

Moses prayedGod listened, God changed his course of action for Moses’ sake

THE ORPHAN, WIDOW AND THE STRANGERYour God is mindful of the weak and LOVES the strangers

Therefore Deu 10:19  Ye shall love, therefore, the stranger, for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

YHWH – A GOD LOVEYET HE JUDGEDHow can a God of Love possibly Judge?

A GREAT GOD OF LOVE AND JUSTICE

God is Just so his children should also be JustDeu 1:16  And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren and judge righteously between every man and his brother and the stranger that is with him.

Judges were not meant to violate justice in the name of Love

BUT, WHEN YOU DO EVIL, WHEN YOUR LOVE GROWS COLD, DO NOT PROVOKE HIM TO ANGER

MERCY WILL FOLLOW JUDGMENT

Deu 21:21  Then all the men of the city shall stone him to death with stones. So you shall purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel shall hear, and fear

When you cross the limit then God executes judgment

God does not show partiality

SO ALSO JESUS SPOKE OF LOVE AT THE LAST SUPPER

Joh 15:11  These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Joh 15:12  "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.