Engrave God's Commandments in Your Heart
Scripture Passage: Deuteronomy 27:1-10(NASB)
1 Then Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, “Keep all the commandments which I am commanding you today. 2 So it shall be on the day when you cross the Jordan to the land which the Lord your God is giving you, that you shall set up for yourself large stones and coat them with lime 3 and write on them all the words of this Law, when you cross over, so that you may enter the land which the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers, promised you. 4 So it shall be when you cross the Jordan, you shall set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I am commanding you today, and you shall coat them with lime. 5 Moreover, you shall build there an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones; you shall not wield an iron tool on them. 6 You shall build the altar of the Lord your God of uncut stones, and you shall offer on it burnt offerings to the Lord your God; 7 and you shall sacrifice peace offerings and eat there, and rejoice before the Lord your God. 8 You shall write on the stones all the words of this Law very clearly.”
9 Then Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel, saying, “Be silent and listen, Israel! This day you have become a people for the Lord your God. 10 So you shall obey the Lord your God, and do His commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today.”
SUMMARY
Moses commanded the Israelites after crossing the Jordan to set up stones on Mount Ebal and coat them with lime. He told them to write on the stones all the words of this law very distinctly. Also, Moses instructed them to build an altar of uncut stones without welding with an iron tool. They shall offer on it burnt offerings and peace offerings and rejoice in the presence of the Lord. Moses and the Levitical priests reminded Israelites that they have become a people for the Lord, and they shall therefore obey the Lord and keep His commandments and His statutes.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
Moses cannot cross the Jordan River into the promised land, hence he emphasized once more to the next generation of Israel to follow all commandments that God wrote on Tablets of Stone on Mount Sinai. I turned my Bible to Joshua 8:30-35 and found Joshua and all Israel obeyed and followed these buildings and instructions for offerings given by Moses and the elders. When I meditated on these verses, I had a lot of respect toward Moses, Joshua and Israelites. It must be hard for them to preserve words of God without the convenience of resources and technology. On the contrary, I live in a time when the Bible is readily accessible for me in hard copies and through the internet. Israel had to coat stone with lime to make the words distinctly, and I can easily highlight and review any word that God spoke to me through Scriptures. Then I reflected on how my attitude towards following His Word and how little effort I attempted to engrave God’s word in my heart. Many times I took granted that the understanding of His Word is truly by God’s grace. My lack of reverence toward Father’s teaching, rebuking, correcting and training through His Word endanger my walk with the Lord. How can I teach and guide my children in their spiritual walk if I am not fully equipped with His truth.
In verse 9, Moses and Levitical priests spoke to all Israel, “Be silent and listen, O Israel! This day you have become a people for the LORD your God”. In Joshua chapter 8, it recorded that Joshua and Levites read all the words of the law aloud and not a word of all that Moses had commanded that they did not read to the whole assembly. God reminded me through these passages to be silent and listen. Come to Him with listening ears and open hearts. I need to intentionally set apart my time with God and silent the noises of my thoughts and lies from enemies. In this world that is full of distraction and overloaded information, it may be hard to listen directly from God. I remember the verse we memorize together with QT sisters in 2 Tim 3:16 All the words in Scriptures are God-breathed. Reading and meditating in the Bible is the most reliable way to hear from God and know His will.
APPLICATION
Today’s quiet time, I was reminded to carve God’s Word in my heart and my children’s hearts. E-Kinder pastor gives monthly verses for kids to memorize. My children have not actively participated. My application would be spending regular time with each of them to help them gain understanding of Scriptures, and help them memorize and exercise their spiritual muscles. Deposit God’s Word into their head and pray that what they memorize now can prepare them to be servants of God. I would also continue to review verses I memorized through QT ministry and through DT training.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for teaching me through your word and helping me exam my attitude today. Thank you for showing me what I am lacking and my need for salvation. I pray for through Jesus Christ – Your Word that our hearts are transformed. Help me to raise my children with Your truth and grace. Thank you for your grace and mercy. In precious Jesus’s name I pray.
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