January 6, 2013 - Monday

Start Time: 4:34 A.M.

End Time: 5:25 A.M.

Title: The Opening Exhortation

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:1 – 33

God’s Message / God’s Promises / God’s Commands:

→ Moses called all the people of Israel together and told them to listen to the statutes and ordinances that he is about to deliver to them.  The Lord their God made a covenant with them at Horeb and spoke to them face to face with them at the mountain, from the middle of the fire.  God gave them the Ten Commandments: 1) He is the Lord their God who brought them from the land of Egypt, they must not have other gods before Him.  2) They must not make for themselves an image or anything in heaven above or earth below.  They are not to worship other gods for He is a jealous God and He will show covenant faithfulness to those who choose Him and keep His commandments.  3) They are not to use the Name of the Lord for worthless purposes. 4) they are to be careful to observe the Sabbath day just as the Lord their God has commanded them. 5) They are to honor their fathers and mothers so that their days may be extended and that it may go well with them in the land that He is about to give them. 6) They are not to murder. 7) They are not to commit adultery. 8) They are not to steal. 9) They are not to offer false testimony against another. 10) They are not to desire another man’s wife, nor should they crave other man’s house, field, servants, ox, donkey, or anything else he owns.

NOTES:

Ø God is a God of covenant and He made a covenant to us personally.  Moses gathered the people and reminded them that God Himself made a covenant with them, those that are living.  And even today, He is making covenant with us.  He wants to make a covenant with us because He wants to give us His promises and fulfill them in our lives.  He delights in that.

Ø The scriptures say that God gave them the 10 Commandments – so God gave the law to them personally as He appeared to them.  God’s covenant with us or His words to us becomes law that cannot be broken.  His spoken promises are law that no one can break.  It is His Words and that’s why we can trust in His promises and Words.

→ God made His covenant with them to the entire assembly at the mountain from the middle of the fire, the cloud and the darkness with a loud voice.  Then He inscribed the words on two stone tablets and gave them to Moses.  The Israelites upon hearing God’s voice came to Moses and told him that the Lord their God has shown us His Great glory and they have heard Him speak from the middle of the fire so it is not clear to them that God can speak to human beings and they can keep on living. So Moses encouraged the Israelites to go near so that they can hear everything the Lord their God is saying and then they can tell them whatever He says to them then they will pay attention and do it.  The Lord heard what the people told Moses and said that they have spoken well and if only it would realy be their desire to fear me and obey all my commandments in the future so that it may go well with them and their descendants.  God then told Moses to tell the Israelites to return to their tents but as for Moses, he is to remain with the Lord so He can declare to him all the commandments, statutes, and ordinances that he is to teach them so that they can carry them out in the land God is about to give them.  Moses then told the Israelites to be careful to do exactly what the Lord their God has commanded them and not to turn right or left but just walk as God has commanded them so that they may live and it will go well with them and that they may live long in the land they are going to possess.

NOTES:

Ø God is a God who desires intimacy with His people.  In this chapter clearly, God showed that He was pleased when the people thought that God can speak to them without them ending up dying – this shows that the Lord revealed to His people that it is possible for them to communicate with Him and form a relationship and this is what He is desiring for.  That is why when God told Moses to tell the Israelites to return to their tent, He asked Moses to remain with Him because He has other revelations to him for is H HisafasfdskafmjasdlkfjslkdjHis people. 

Ø God’s purpose of the law is so that all may go well with His people and that they may live long in the land they are going to possess – clearly, God’s Words or law is for our own good.  He seeks for us to live well and long in His promises.

Application / Realization:

Ø God is a God of covenants and He wants to make covenant with us!  He delights in making promises for us!  What a wonderful God we have for He desires to make promises and fulfill them in our lives!

Ø God is a God who desires intimacy with us!  He wants us to know Him personally and even before, during the time of the law – when judgment is heavy on sin, He showed His people that having a relationship with Him is possible.  This act shows God’s greater mercy and grace that it supersedes the law! Hallelujah!

Prayer:

            Lord Jesus great Savior and Lord!  Today I am fully amaze of Your Words that is Law but even more perplex of Your Grace!  Father, I am truly moved that even in the Old Testament when the Law rules – Your mercy and grace is abundant to Your people.  In every situation, Your Grace abounds for Your people and You ensure that they experience it every step of the way even in times of the Law.  How much greater it is today that we are ruled by Your Grace!  I am truly grateful because Your words is the truth and for the past few weeks, You have been teaching me about Your Grace and about living by Faith and yesterday during church, You once again confirmed it by declaring that 2014 is the year of Your Grace, Your Faith and Your Love.  I am excited to live in this time because Your Grace is outpouring.  Holy Spirit, help me to build deeper and stronger relationship and give me wisdom with full understanding of Your Grace.  I want to life by faith as You have called us to do so but I can only fully understand what it means when I know Your Grace.  So reveal Your Grace to me Lord every day that I may live in faith every day and show Your love to others every day.  Thank You for Your are a God of covenant and You delight to make promises to me and fulfill them in my life.  I can’t wait to receive and experience the goodness of Your promises and love that I may show others Your abounding Grace.  Everything is through Your Grace alone Lord, so I commit everything to You.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!