Deuteronomy 27

 “Be Silent and Listen”

“Then Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel, saying, “Be silent and listen, O Israel! This day you have become a people for the Lord your God. ‘You shall therefore ¹obey the Lord your God, and do His commandments and His statutes which I command you today.”’ (v.9-10)

Hearing God’s Law was important for Israel but it wasn’t all that was needed--obedience had to follow.

Here in chapter 27 Moses delivers his third sermon. In this new sermon he wanted to impress upon the Israelites the seriousness of their commitment--the benefits, responsibilities, and consequences of their covenant relationship with God. This was to be reinforced with memorial stones inscribed with the Law and a special altar on Mt. Ebal. There, the people would make fellowship offerings, and hold worship feasts to rejoice in their special relationship with God.

We, like the children of Israel need to. “be silent and listen.” We need to spend time in God’s Word and allow Him to write His laws on our hearts and minds. By so doing, we reinforce our walk and our relationship with Him in which obedience will then become a natural byproduct.

The Truth

“But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’” (Jeremiah 7:23)

Deuteronomy 26

 “Worship The Lord”

This chapter is about worshiping the Lord through giving back to Him. In it, we see the children of Israel rejoicing in what God had given them by bringing the first fruits of their increase to the chief priest. (v.1-2)

When God’s people brought their offerings to the chief priest, they were to make public declarations of God’s faithfulness. The two statements focus on concrete examples of God’s care for His people. They served as reminders to Israel of God’s call, His concern for them during their suffering, and of their ultimate deliverance by His powerful hand. (v.3-10)

Every Christian has been brought out of there own Egypt and set free from the slavery of sin. Similarly, we need to show our gratitude in both word and deed – testifying of His deliverance and provision in our lives. Having been so blessed, should we not return the blessing through giving back and joyfully declaring what God has done for us? Absolutely!

The Truth

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)

Deuteronomy 25

“Remember and Do Not Forget”

“Remember what Amalek did to you by the way, when you were come forth out of Egypt; How he met you by the way, and smote the hindmost of you, even all that were feeble behind you, when you were faint and weary; and he feared not God. Therefore it shall be, when the LORD your God has given you rest from all your enemies round about, in the land which the LORD your God gives you for an inheritance to possess it, that you shall blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; you shall not forget it.” (v.17-19)

The entire Book of Deuteronomy is a reminder to the children of Israel of what God had; done for them, taught them and what He expected of them. This passage is no exception as it begins with the word “Remember” and ends with the words “You shall not forget.”

The Israelites were to remember how the Amalekites attacked them from behind, killing those who were weak, weary and feeble. They were also instructed to; “Blot out the remembrance of Amalek” meaning, to utterly destroy him and his people. Finally, they were to “Never forget;” neither the cold-blooded and dastardly attack by Amalek nor the order to destroy him.

This should remind us that we too have an enemy who attacks us constantly. Who waits patiently until we are worn down, weak, weary of fighting the good fight, to attack our soul. The Apostle Peter reminds us to “Be Sober” (on guard), because “our adversary goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).  

Therefore, in order to be prepared, we must put on the whole armor of God every day to strengthen us for the fight. Never forget!

The Truth

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:10-12)

Deuteronomy 24

 “Respect The Poor”

“When you do lend your brother any thing, you shall not go into his house to fetch his pledge.” (v.10)

Here we see a common practice used to secure a loan during this time period. The lender would secure a pledge (something of value) from the borrower as collateral. However, to spare a poor man’s shame, to guard against something he could not spare, and protect against the creditor’s greed, the borrower chose the object to be pledged.

Furthermore, in the case of a poor man who had pledged his cloak, it was to be restored to him before nightfall (v.12-13) – as the poor in Eastern countries have commonly no other covering for wrapping themselves in when they would go to sleep.

This teaches us to consult the comfort and subsistence of others above our own advantage. By letting the poor debtor sleep in his own raiment, and praise God for the kindness shown to him, is accounted unto righteousness to the creditor before the LORD. (v.13)

The Truth

“One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, And He will repay him for his good deed.” (Psalm 19:7)

Deuteronomy 23

“Do Not Charge Your Brother Interest”

“Do not charge a fellow Israelite interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest. You may charge a foreigner interest, but not a fellow Israelite, so that the Lord your God may bless you in everything you put your hand to in the land you are entering to possess.” (v.19-20)

There are many miscellaneous laws mentioned here in chapter 23. This law, concerning loans made to a fellow Israelite, I find very practical and sound for us today.

The Bible teaches us that, “The love of money is the root of evil.” Exacting usury from a brother who is in need, is adding insult to injury. Profiting from a loan to a family member or a brother/sister in Christ can bring problems home to roost. But if love and concern for someone in need is our reason for lending anything, then there is no need to profit from it, nor even to expect compensation for it when given in love.   

However, we are told here that charging interest to a foreigner (someone outside of the family so to speak) was allowed. God simply did not want His people collecting usury from each other, for it was not just or right. (Ezekiel 18:5-8)

The Truth

"If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest.” (Exodus 22:25)