Moses gave a lot of warnings about what would happen if they did not obey God. But he also gave a lot of encouragements to the Israelites. By the end of his talk, they should have had a full understanding that when they obeyed God with all the heart and soul... GOD would fight for them. Their physical circumcision was a symbol and outward sign of who they were, but God wants more from us. He wants our heart! In Deuteronomy 10, Moses gives the people a message that has an interesting slant to it - which foretells of what is come...
(Deuteronomy 10:14-21) "Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it. 15 Yet on your fathers did the Lord set His affection to love them, and He chose their descendants after them, even you above all peoples, as it is this day. 16 So circumcise your heart, and stiffen your neck no longer. 17 For the Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe. 18 He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing. 19 So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. 20 You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name. 21 He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen.
The circumcision of their hearts is mentioned to the Israelites again in chapter 30, so it was not a foreign concept for them. They were to have a change of heart, as Moses encouraged them...
(Deuteronomy 30:19-20) I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, 20 by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him...
These parallels are how the people would see Jesus on earth doing miracles, including His work on the cross. We have a choice. And when we chose to believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit seals us... then the physical evidence of our salvation is revealed through our change of heart and the unconditional love that exudes because of that.
(Romans 2:25-29) For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law? 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.
Believing in Jesus brings about a change in our hearts which is evident to the world.
(John 13:35) By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Moses gives the people one last bit of encouragement before he dies and before the Israelites get to enter the promised land...
(Deuteronomy 31:6) "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment