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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for October 2024
November 1, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:15 – But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
Thought: When men prosper, they often have a tendency to forsake God. They believe themselves to be self-sufficient. They often falsely believe that they are the ones responsible for their abundance. God predicted this would happen to Israel. They would “wax fat.” In the process, she would forsake God and lightly esteem the Rock of her salvation. It is interesting that God refers to Israel as Jeshurun here. A name that means “upright.”
Isaiah 44:2
November 2, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:16, 17 – They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger. They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that newly came up, whom your father feared not.
Thought: Rather than trust in the true God, Israel turned to strange gods. Rather than relying upon the righteous God, Israel sacrificed unto devils. Rather than serve the God who had cared for them, Israel turned to gods, they knew not. Rather than continuing to honor the God their fathers feared, they submitted to new gods that newly came up. Jehovah was real, tried, true, powerful, and loving. Israel provoked Him to anger by serving abominations.
1 Kings 14:22-23
November 3, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:18, 19 – Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and has forgotten God that formed thee. And when the Lord saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons and of his daughters.
Thought: There are certain people in our lives of which we should be mindful. They should constantly fill the thoughts of our mind because of the love, kindness, and goodness they have shown to us. This is certainly true of God. This was not what Israel did with God. They were “unmindful” of Him. They intentionally forgot Him. Because of their actions, God abhorred them. They stank in His nostrils. They bore the stench of sin and apostasy.
Jeremiah 2:32
November 4, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:20 -And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.
Thought: Man often fails to realized how dependent he truly is upon God. His pride and selfishness cause him to turn from God. This is what happened to Israel. Isreal left God, and God hid His face from them. God, then, waited. “I will see what their end shall be.” The end is never a pretty sight. The end is depravity, immorality, violence, and death. Dear readers, when a nation becomes forward, that is, depraved and lacks faith in God, beware!
Luke 18:8
November 5, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:21, 22 – They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people: I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundation of the mountains.
Thought: There are three things that man has a difficult time comprehending. First, the sovereignty of God. Second, the holiness of God. Third, the awfulness of sin. When these things are understood, man better understands God’s reaction to sin. Here, we learn of God’s response to Israel’s idolatry. He responds with righteous indignation toward them. His wrath is intense. God wants Israel, and all men, to see the evils of forsaking Him.
Jeremiah 4:4
November 6, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:23, 24 – I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them. They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.
Thought: God continues to tell Israel about the afflictions they will suffer if they forsake him for lying vanities. Mischiefs are hardships or calamities. Arrows often represented various pestilences experienced by mankind. Hunger, burning heat, with bitter destruction come with times of famine. God would also raise up the animal kingdom against Israel. Bears, lions, and wolves have powerful teeth. Then, there would be the painful bites of snakes.
Ezekiel 5:17
November 7, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:25 – The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs.
Thought: If Israel forsook God, the consequences were severe. “The sword without and terror within” was one of the consequences. The Lord tells Israel that war and the defenselessness of the helpless would be suffered if they turned to false gods. Young men, virgins, sucklings, and the elderly cannot wield weapons effectively. They can easily be slaughtered or taken captive. The terror within can be as horrifying as the fight without.
Lamentation 1:20
November 8, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:26, 27 – I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make remembrance of them to cease from among men; were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should say, Our hand is high, and the Lord hath not done all this.
Thought: God’s people often forget the authority that God has over them. If they violate His covenant, God can respond in turn. God told Israel that He could have scattered them throughout the earth in such a way that remembrance of them would cease among men. It would take enemy nations to carry this out. God told Israel He chose not to do this because. He did not want the enemies to say: “Our hand is high, and the Lord hath not done this.”
Ezekiel 20:21-22
November 9, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:28, 29 – For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them. O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!
Thought: God provides divine counsel through His Word. At this time, He made the revelation of His counsel known through His servant Moses. Israel, however, was a nation void of counsel. They refused to heed God’s word. This led to an abundance of ignorance within the nation. God’s longing for them is found in verse 29. “O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!” Sadly, they would not.
Jeremiah 4:22
November 10, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:30- How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the Lord had shut them up?
Thought: There were often times when the enemies that prevailed against Israel were much smaller in number than those of the Israelites. One man could chase a thousand. Two enemy soldiers could put to flight ten thousand Israelites. The reason for their defeat is found in the last part of the verse. “Their Rock had sold them, and the Lord had shut them up.” Israel’s defense, Jehovah, refused to protect them because they had forsaken Him.
Leviticus 26:6-8
November 11, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:31 – For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.
Thought: Every religion believes its god is strong and powerful. Each appeals to their gods for protection. When the false gods of the Canaanites were compared to Israel’s God, it was clear that “their rock is not as our Rock.” Israel’s God was alive. He was mighty in power. He was responsive at all times. He could bring victory to Israel without a conflict. The contrast was so sharp that even their enemies acknowledged the superiority of Israel’s God.
1 Samuel 2:2
November 12, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:32, 33 – For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter: their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.
Thought: God wanted Israel to be His fruitful vine. Instead, they forsook Jehovah and became the grapes of Sodom planted in the fields of Gomorrah. Those familiar with these two cities know about their heinous sins and gross immorality. Rather than being sweet and tasty, Israel was likened unto grapes with the taste of vinegar. Instead of being a healthy substance to others, they were likened unto the poison of dragons and venom of asps.
Isaiah 5:1-4
November 13, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:34 – Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed among my treasures?
Thought: When God reaped the vineyard of Israel, He did not find healthy fruit to be laid up in store and sealed among His treasures. He found idolatry. He found corruption. He found sin. He found immorality. He found violence. He found fruit that was ruined. This is not what the husbandman expects for his time and his labors. This was not the fault of the husbandman. It was Israel’s fault. She made her choice. She chose to forsake God for idols.
Jeremiah 2:21-24
November 14, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:35 – To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
Thought: If Israel became a corrupt vine, God’s vengeance would be brought to bear upon the nation. The slip of a foot indicated a fall, a severe fall. Calamity would come upon her quickly. God is a compassionate and loving God to those who seek to obey His will. Those who turn from Him and forsake His ways, however, will experience the other side of God. To them He will be a God of wrath and vengeance. Man’s choices determine God’s responses.
Nahum 1:2
November 15, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:36 – For the Lord shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left.
Thought: The Lord has the right to judge his people when they depart from Him. When the Lord starts His punishment, it is quick, severe, and devastating. He does not turn from the fierceness of His wrath until “he seeth their power is gone, and there is none shut up or left.” The Lord takes no pleasure in punishing His people. Thus, He warns them of the consequences often. Man, therefore, plays a major role in the execution of God’s justice.
Psalm 96:13
November 16, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:37, 38 – And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted, which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, and be your protection.
Thought: When God’s wrath came upon Israel, it was a challenge to their false gods. Israel left the true god and trusted in false gods. They offered them animal sacrifices and drink offerings. If they were authentic, they should have protected Israel from God’s curses. God challenged them saying: “Let them rise up and help you, and be your protection?” When there was no help, He asked: “Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted?”
Judges 10:13-14
November 17, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:39, 40 – See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.
Thought: When God challenges the false gods, He is always victorious. He alone has the power to kill and to make alive. He alone can wound and heal. When He takes captives, there is none who can deliver out of His hand. He is the only god who can say: “I am he,” and who can affirm: “I live for ever.” Men affirm that there are other gods, but none exist. They put their trust in them to their own destruction. There is only one, true living God.
Isaiah 45:22
November 18, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:41 – If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.
Thought: The sword is often pictured as a weapon of judgment against evildoers. If Israel rebelled, God promised to sharpen His flashing sword. He would take hold on judgment and would not stop until vengeance was brought upon His enemies. He would reward those who hate Him. The reward was not positive. The reward involved pain, sorrow, affliction, anguish, captivity, blood, and death. God rewards His enemies according to their deeds.
Ezekiel 21:9-12
November 19, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:42 – I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of the revenges upon the enemy.
Thought: Arrows and swords are designed to pierce and cut the flesh of man and bring forth blood. The Lord pictures so many arrows drawing blood that they become drunk with blood. Many would be slain. Those who were taken captive often suffered injury in battle. The Lord promises that the bloodshed would take place “from the beginning of the revenges upon the enemy.” With horrific pictures, the Lord tries to deter His people from disobedience.
Psalm 45:3-5
November 20, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:43 – Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.
Thought: These words provide an interesting twist in God’s message to Israel. Three words are great importance, “O ye nations.” These words have reference to the Gentiles. Israel’s unfaithfulness to their covenant with God would ultimately allow the Gentiles to have a relationship with God. This salvation would also involve God’s being merciful unto His land and people. Thus, the nations are commanded rejoice “with his people.
Isaiah 11:10
November 21, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:44 – And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun.
Thought: Having read through this song slowly, we may have forgotten its purpose. Here, we are reminded that it was to be taught to the people of Israel. Moses did not forsake his obligation. It is also interesting to note that Joshua was present with Moses. The leadership of Israel was about to change. Both men standing together as the song was taught, manifested the unity between the two leaders. Hoshea would continue Moses’ legacy.
Deuteronomy 31:22
November 22, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:45,46 – And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel: and he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.
Thought: Moses is nearing the conclusion of his sermons to the Israelites. One of his final exhortations is for Israel to “set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day.” The key to a life of faithfulness involves the setting of the heart. Setting the heart is simply a firm passionate decision to do what God commands. No excuses. No justification. No rationalization. No alteration. Just simply: “Lord what wilt thou have me to do.”
Proverbs 3:1-4
November 23, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:47 – For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.
Thought: Moses had just exhorted Israel to set their hearts to observe to do all the words of the law God revealed to them. He now tells them that this action “is not a vain thing for you.” To obey God is not a practice that is empty and useless. Instead, he declares: “It is your life.” Obedience to God improves one’s life. Obedience adds years to one’s life. Obedience ensures life in the hereafter. No one should ever downplay the need for obedience.
Proverbs 4:20-22
November 24, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:48, 49 – And the Lord spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying, Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession.
Thought: Moses now faces one of the consequences of a sin committed in the wilderness. Instead of speaking to a rock to bring forth water therefrom, he smote the rock. Because of this sin, this great leader was not allowed to enter into the Promised Land. He was allowed to climb mount Nebo and “behold the land of Canaan.” His feelings must have been mixed. There was joy in seeing the land, but there was sorrow because could not enter in.
Numbers 27:12-14
November 25, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:50 – And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and he was gathered unto his people.
Thought: The lives of great men eventually come to an end. Moses was the law-giver of Israel. His brother, Aaron, was the first high priest of the nation of Israel. Both positions were high and powerful. Even so, both of these men met the enemy of death and did not prevail. We look back through history, and the story is always the same. Powerful leaders must yield to death. Death is no respecter of persons. Small and great return to the dust.
Numbers 20:24-29
November 26, 2024
Deuteronomy 32:51, 52- Because ye transgressed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel. Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel.
Thought: One transgression in the wilderness prohibited Moses from entering into the Promised Land. Here, the Lord reminds Moses of his sin. The sin took place “at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh.” God described Moses iniquity with these words: “…because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel.” In addition to his failure to comply with the Lord’s instructions, he asked Israel: “Must we fetch you water out of this rock?”
Numbers 20:10-13
November 27, 2024
Deuteronomy 33:1 – And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.
Thought: Moses had been the faithful leader of Israel for forty years. He was a leader who loved his people dearly. The leadership position that he occupied was almost like that of a father. Thus, when Moses came to the close of his life, he called forth the children of Israel and blessed them. In this chapter, each tribe will hear from this man of God. These will be words that the tribes would remember and cherish as they leave their “father” behind.
Genesis 49:28
November 28, 2024
Deuteronomy 33:2 – And he said, The Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousand of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.
Thought: Here, Moses gives us some insight to the majestic appearance of God on mount Sinai when He revealed His law to Moses. The brightness of His majesty was not confined to a single spot. He shined upon “Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran.” God did not come alone. He came with ten thousand of His “saints,” or, “holy ones,” the holy angels. The finger of God wrote upon the tables with fire from his fingertips.
Exodus 19:18-20
November 29, 2024
Deuteronomy 33:3, 4 – Yea, he loved the people, all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words. Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob.
Thought: God loved Israel deeply. He protected Israel. There were in His hand. He instructed the people. They sat at the Lord’s feet and received His words. He governed His people. He did this by providing them with a law. God’s protection, instruction, and governance were all proof of God’s love for His people. It was love in action. Saying, “I love you,” is fine. Proving one’s love through action is of more value. “Yea, he loved the people.”
Jeremiah 31:3
November 30, 2024
Deuteronomy 33:5 – And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of Israel were gathered together.
Thought: The word “Jeshurun” is found three times in the Bible. All three times it is used by Moses in the book of Deuteronomy. The name means “upright one.” It is a symbolic name for the nation of Israel. Jeshurun, Israel, had as her king the Almighty God. The nation of Israel began as a theocracy. This fact set Israel apart from all other nations on the earth. Their king was truly “the King of kings and Lord of lords.” Deity, not man, ruled Israel.
1 Samuel 8:7
Read devotionals for December 2024