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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for September 2024
October 1, 2024
Deuteronomy 31:1, 2 – And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel. And he said unto them, I am a hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the Lord hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
Thought: There comes a time in a leader’s life when he reaches the end of his term. Here, Moses knew he was at the end of his reign and at the end of his life. He had lived a long time, one hundred twenty years. He had begged God to be allowed to go over the Jordan, but God refused. It was punishment for his disobedience in the wilderness. Capable leadership would follow in a man named Joshua. This must have been an emotional time in Moses’ life.
Deuteronomy 3:23-26
October 2, 2024
Deuteronomy 31:3 – The Lord thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the Lord hath said.
Thought: Moses confirms the fact that Joshua would be the human leader of Israel when they entered into the land of Canaan. Joshua, however, was not the primary leader. Moses reminded Israel, saying; “The Lord thy God, he will go over before thee.” God was the true leader of the armies of Israel. It would be He who would destroy the nations from before the armies of Israel. God’s presence would not be physically seen. Israel would see Him by faith.
Psalm 44:1-3
October 3, 2024
Deuteronomy 31:4, 5 – And the Lord shall do unto them as he did to Sihon and to Og, kings of the Amorites, and unto the land of them, whom he destroyed. And the Lord shall give them up before your face, that ye may do unto them according to all the commandments which I have commanded you.
Thought: This is an encouraging promise given to Israel. Yes, they would have to fight, but the Lord would give them victory. This promise of victory was based upon the victories over Sihon and Og which Israel had just experienced as they neared Canaan. It gives one heart to know he will win the battle before it begins. Dear readers, Israel had seen God’s might manifested in so many ways. Courage should have been in their camp in abundance.
Joshua 5:13-15
October 4, 2024
Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Thought: God had promised victory to the children of Israel in Canaan. He had told them that He would lead them and fight for them as He had done against Sihon and Og. Those words should have filled them with strength. God, however, also knew the power of fear. Thus, He exhorted Israel “be strong and of a good courage.” The walled cities, the giants of the land, their battle cries, and their weapons could be things that would cause Israel to fear.
Psalm 27:14
October 5, 2024
Deuteronomy 31:7, 8 – And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sword unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Thought: Few individuals ever reach a nation’s highest position. To be the supreme leader sounds enticing and enchanting. However, it is also a daunting task. This person carries the burden of the nation on his shoulders. As the old adage goes: “The buck stops here.” These men, like Joshua, are just men who have strengths and weakness. They often need to be encouraged. Moses understood this and sought to strengthen the heart of Joshua.
Joshua 1:5-7
October 6, 2024
Deuteronomy 31:9 – And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and unto all the elders of Israel.
Thought: God wanted His law to abide with His people. Putting the Law of Moses into a written form would preserve it. Too, it was entrusted into the hands of those whose task it was to minister unto the things of the tabernacle. These were the priests the sons of Levi. These men would seek to preserve the law. This preservation would involve the protection of the actual written covenant. Too, they would proclaim the law and ensure Israel practiced it.
Malachi 2:4-7
October 7, 2024
Deuteronomy 31:10, 11 – And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, when all Israel is come to appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.
Thought: Every seventh year was a year of release. During the feast of tabernacles that year, all of Israel was to be assembled, and the law of Moses was to be read in their hearing. God wanted Israel to keep the law in their minds. It was vital to the success of the nation. Not only was it to be heard, but it was to be obeyed. When Israel assembled at this solemn feast to read the law, it would remind them of their unity as a nation bound by covenant to God.
Nehemiah 8:1-3
October 8, 2024
Deuteronomy 31:12 - Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law.
Thought: When Israel assembled for the reading of the law at the feast of tabernacles, all were to be present including the “stranger.” Four actions were required of the people: hear, learn, fear, and observe. Hearing is an essential part of being a faithful child of God. But, it is possible to hear and not learn. Thus, hearing must lead to learning. Having learned God’s will, one must fear or reverence the Lord. The final step is “to do all the words of this law.”
Proverbs 2:1-6
October 9, 2024
Deuteronomy 31:13 – And their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.
Thought: Moses proclaims the importance of teaching the children the law of God. Moses describes the children as having “not known any thing.” Children are an empty slate when they are born. They have no knowledge and no sin. The previous generation is responsible to teach them to fear the Lord. One has rightfully said: “We are only one generation away from apostasy.” Teaching their children was vital to Israel’s continued existence in Canaan.
Psalm 78:4-7
October 10, 2024
Deuteronomy 31:14, 15 – And the Lord said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation. And the Lord appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a cloud: and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle.
Thought: When leaders are selected, it is a wise practice to “ordain” them into their offices. Ordination is a ceremony wherein new leaders are formally presented to their followers. God ordained Joshua before Israel. Moses and Joshua came to the tabernacle. “And the Lord appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a cloud: and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle.” God manifested His approval of Joshua, Israel’s new leader.
Titus 1:5
October 11, 2024
Deuteronomy 31:16 – And the Lord said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I made with them.
Thought: One generation had fallen in the wilderness due to disobedience. A new generation was now standing at the edge of the Jordan River poised to take the land of Canaan. God told Moses that he was about to die. He then foretold of the apostasy of Israel. They would go a whoring after other gods. They would forsake God. They would break His covenant. Did these words shock Moses? Or, did he know the hearts of his people? Israel was fickle.
Judges 2:11-13
October 12, 2024
Deuteronomy 31:17, 18 – Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us? And I will surely hide my face that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods.
Thought: When God’s people turn from God, He forsakes them. The result is that “they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them.” There is a definite purpose for the evils they experience. They are designed to cause God’s people to ask: “Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us?” The sinner comes to realize that God is needed for blessings and that God’s presence is obtained through obedience.
Judges 2:14-15
October 13, 2024
Deuteronomy 31:19 – Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.
Thought: God wanted Moses to write a song for the Israelites. This song is recorded in chapter 32. The purpose of the song was to “be a witness” for God against the children of Israel. The song would take away any excuses Israel might offer when God punished them for their disobedience. Songs are usually easy to memorize. Once implanted into the mind, they are difficult to forget. Too, they can be passed easily from one generation to the next.
Deuteronomy 31:22
October 14, 2024
Deuteronomy 31:20, 21 – For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them and provoke me, and break my covenant. And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.
Thought: God affirms once more “that this song shall testify against them as a witness.” Sadly, God knew the hearts of the Israelites. “For I know their imagination which they go about.” His blessings would cause them to become proud. They would leave Him and “turn to other gods, and serve them and provoke me, and break my covenant.” The song, however, would testify on God’s behalf. “For it shall not be forgotten out of the mouth of their seed.”
Hosea 13:6
October 15, 2024
Deuteronomy 31:22 – Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel.
Thought: Moses had been commanded by God to write a song that he would teach the Israelites as a witness against them when they were punished for their disobedience. Moses wasted no time writing the song. “Moses therefore wrote this song the same day.” Moses understood the need to obey God. He had certainly learned this lesson in the wilderness. After the song was written, he continued to obey by teaching the song to the Israelite nation.
Isaiah 30:8-10
October 16, 2024
Deuteronomy 31:23 – And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.
Thought: Five things present themselves to us in this verse. First, God’s Charge: “And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge.” Second, Joshua’s Characteristics: “…and said, Be strong and of a good courage.” Third, Joshua’s Calling: “…for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land…” Fourth: God’s Commitments: “…which I sware unto them…” Fifth, God’s Companionship: “…and I will be with thee.” One verse can “pack a punch.”
2 Timothy 4:1-5
October 17, 2024
Deuteronomy 31:24 – And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished.
Thought: Moses spoke the law into the hearing of the Israelites. He also wrote the law in book. A book is a much more permanent form of revelation. It can endure for many, many generations. Too, instead of individuals trying to remember what has been said, it can be copied. The copy bears the same authority as the original if the copy was done accurately. In addition, thousands upon thousands of people could have access to a written document.
Jude 3
October 18, 2024
Deuteronomy 31:35, 26 – That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying, Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.
Thought: The law was placed into the ark of the covenant. The ark was placed into the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle, a place entered only by the high priest one day each year. The law, therefore, was in safe-keeping. God wanted it there as a witness against Israel. They could not deny they were in a covenant with God. They could never affirm that they were ignorant of the terms of the covenant. The document could always be produced.
Romans 9:4
October 19, 2024
Deuteronomy 31:27 – For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the Lord; and how much more after my death?
Thought: Previously we asked if Moses knew his people. Here, we come to understand that he did. “For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck.” The rebellion was due to their stiff neck. Moses had witnessed the rebellion of God’s people over and over in the wilderness. He was certain that they would be that much more rebellious following his death. There are times when issues must be confronted head on. Israel’s rebellion was one of those issues.
Psalm 78:7-8
October 20, 2024
Deuteronomy 31:28, 29 – Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them. For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger through the works of your hands may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them.
Thought: Leadership in any organization is of utmost importance. They are called leaders because they have others following them. Leadership sets the example and makes the decisions. Leadership motivates and holds its followers accountable. As goes the leadership, so goes the organization. Moses understood the essential nature of Israel’s leadership and confronted the elders and officers calling heaven and earth to record against them.
Numbers 11:16-17
October 21, 2024
Deuteronomy 31:29 - And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended.
Thought: Moses did as the Lord directed. Having written the song, he spoke the words of the song into the ears of “all the congregation of Israel.” He did not omit anything. Some things are needed in their entirety. If not, there is a deficiency. An example of such omission today involves the gospel plan of salvation. Many want to omit baptism from the plan. Moses did not short-change Israel. The lost should not be short-changed today.
Acts 22:16
October 22, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:1 – Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.
Thought: When God speaks, the heavens and earth should pause and listen. These are divine words. These are powerful words. These are words of life. Yes, all should “give ear” and “hear.” Sadly, many boldly reject the words of God. They want to hear nothing that the Creator of the Universe has to say. Unfortunately, there are some followers of God who do not “give ear” to God’s Word. Oh yes, they hear, but what is heard is quickly forgotten.
Jeremiah 22:19
October 23, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:2 – My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distill as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass.
Thought: God is not stingy with His doctrine (teaching). He drops it as the rain. He distills it as the dew. It falls like rain on the tender herb and like showers upon the grass. Human beings might be ignorant of God’s Word, but it isn’t because it isn’t available. One proof of this is the fact that the Bible is usually on the top-seller list throughout the world. Many households have five or ten Bibles in them. God’s teachings are scattered in every room.
Isaiah 55:10-11
October 24, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:3 – Because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.
Thought: Then “name” of the Lord involves everything about Him. It encompasses His attributes, His revelation, and His works. Those who hear of this wonderful name should “ascribe greatness unto our God.” An honest individual should stand in awe of Jehovah. There is none on earth or in heaven who compares to Him. Only the proud and self-willed would refuse to stand and acknowledge His greatness. Truly, God is an awesome God.
Jeremiah 10:6-7
October 25, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:4 – He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
Thought: The song Moses was to transcribe contains seven facts about God in this one verse. These seven things are part of God greatness noted in the previous verse. He is a Rock, stable and secure. He is perfect, free from sin. His ways are judgment, they are the standard by which all are to live. He is a God of truth, free from lies and deceit. He can be trusted. He is without iniquity. He is just, that is, fair and equitable. Lastly, He is right.
Jeremiah 10:6
October 26, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:5, 6 – They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation. Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise? Is not he thy father that hath bought thee: hath he not made thee, and established thee?
Thought: When kindness is shown toward us, we should manifest gratitude. Gratitude can be shown with words and actions. The Lord had redeemed Israel. He had made them a great nation. Faithful obedience should have been displayed by Israel out of gratitude. They, however, “corrupted themselves.” Their spots, stains of sin, were not evidence that they were His children. “Do you thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise?”
Jeremiah 4:22
October 27, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:7 – Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.
Thought: Each generation has a tendency to neglect the previous generation. It views the past generation as old, outdated, and irrelevant. God does not think so. He exhorted Israel to “remember the days of old.” He admonished them to “consider the years of many generations.” One way this could be done is by asking their fathers or the elders about the past. Dear readers, there is wisdom in experience. There is also wisdom not found in books.
Job 8:8-10
October 28, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:8, 9 – When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bound of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. For the Lord’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.
Thought: Long before this day when Moses addressed the children of Israel, God had selected this nation from all the other nations. All men spring from Adam. God made a selection from the population of the earth and chose Israel to be “His portion” and “the lot of His inheritance.” Israel was favored by God. Israel was loved by God. Israel was granted a status before God that no other nation possessed. Israel should remember her exaltation.
Isaiah 43:1
October 29, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:10, 11 – He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings.
Thought: After Israel was redeemed from Egyptian bondage, they found themselves in a vast wilderness. God, however, did not forsake them there. He led Israel. He instructed Israel. He kept Israel. He protected Israel just as an eagle would protect her young that are still in the nest. Some of those who hear Moses’ words experienced the entire forty years of wandering. They knew God’s care for them. Why forsake a God who provided so abundantly?
Nehemiah 9:19-21
October 30, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:12, 13 – So the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him. He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock.
Thought: Moses’ song continues to remind Israel of the blessings God provided for her while in the wilderness. They ate the increase of their fields. They had honey and oil provided to them in unique ways by God. It is interesting that God reminds them that “the Lord alone did lead them, and there was no strange god with him.” Yet, Israel’s rebellion would come by their turning to strange gods. Why leave a benevolent God for gods that only bring harm?
Psalm 78:52-53
October 31, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:14 – Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape.
Thought: If we have plenty of food to eat, we usually believe that we are blessed. In the wilderness, God made sure Israel had food to eat. It was nutritious food. It was natural food. It was food of many varieties. Oh yes, there were occasions when God tested His people. They would hunger for a period of time. These situations proved whether Israel was following God for the right reasons. They also reminded Israel of her dependence on God.
Psalm 81:10-11
Read devotionals for November 2024