Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
In Deuteronomy the people of Israel are given a recap and summary of who God is and what He desires, as shown in all of their earlier history. The big picture is summarized in chapter 4 verse 1. Pay attention to God’s word so as to live and receive the promise God has made. This is a promise of a land, a hope, and a future. It is clear that this promise is not received by the Israelites because of their goodness or obedience, but only because they trust God’s Word.
When the people of Israel accept God’s Word He says they will appear wise to all their neighbors. They can then tell about God’s goodness. He is the God who is near to His people. He gives good commands which work.
Many in our world today consider God and His Word to be optional or even irrelevant. At the same time, they want to find integrity, a workable ethic, ways that people from different backgrounds can be at peace, and any number of other important cultural values. When God’s people point out that all these positive cultural desires are present in the Bible, and when we strive to live them out, we too can be like the Israelites. Then we can show our world God’s goodness and mercy.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.