2.25 Deuteronomy 12-16

Crista Reaves

2.25.2020

Deuteronomy 12-16

Summarize what you read in one paragraph:

Deuteronomy 12 is all about God’s commands on where the Israelites should go to worship. God stresses the importance of being fully obedient and showing that obedience by worshiping and offering sacrifices only at the place that God has designated. He warns the Israelites to not be swayed by what others claim is right. God tells them that once they arrive at the place chosen to worship, they should rejoice and be grateful for all that He has done and celebrate all the ways that He has blessed them. In Deuteronomy 13, God warns the Israelites that many (including parents, siblings, friends, and spouses) will try to tempt them into serving other gods… but to stand strong and remember to love God with all their heart and soul (Deut. 13:3)! Chapter 14 is all about what foods are permissible to consume and when to tithe crops, wine, oil, and the firstborn of the herds. Finally, in chapter 15, God tells the Israelites that after seven years they should forgive the debts of others and allow their slaves to be free. The chapter ends by informing the people to dedicate all the firstborn males of the herds and flocks to the Lord.

What is one key verse?

“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” Deuteronomy 14:2 ESV

How does what you read change your vision of God?

God is caring, compassionate, sovereign, and loves to take care of his sheep… because we are His! God provided guidance and instruction to the Israelites with every move they made, and if we listen, He is doing the same for us. These few chapters in Deuteronomy have really opened my eyes to see how much God cares for and loves His people. God loves relationships and desires a close relationship with us where we readily listen to him and obey His commands.

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?

I think it is amazing that God tells the Israelites that He chose them out of everyone on the earth, that they were His treasured possession. In the same way God chose us! We are God’s treasured possessions and his chosen people! How grateful we should be.

How will you Go with God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)

I will be more aware of the world’s lies trying to tell me what to do. Instead I will seek to be deeply rooted in God’s word so He can instruct my ways. I also need to remember that I am His chosen daughter, and I must be His ambassador everywhere I go. God picked me to seek and save the lost and spread His love, I need to just go with God!

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)

God tells the Israelites that they may eat the meat of the designated animals, but they must not eat the blood “…for the blood is the life” (Deut 12:23) and to “…pour the blood on the earth like water” (Deut 12:16). This reminds me of Jesus and how he shed his blood on the earth to save us from our transgressions.