December 10

Journey-through-the-Bible-with-us

DECEMBER 10, 2024: DEUTERONOMY 27, REVELATION 5, PSALM 119:161-168                  DEUTERONOMY 24 This is the first time the elders are mentioned along with Moses as speaking to Israel. In the New Testament, elders are in fact the leaders in the local church (1 Tim. 3). No single leader such as Moses is identified in the letters to the individual churches, although Timothy (in Ephesus) and Titus (in Crete) did have individual authority for periods of time.  In this chapter the people are commanded to keep ALL the commandments.  As we just read in Psalm 119:160, we aren’t supposed to pick the ones we like and ignore those we don’t. The elders and Moses told the people to write them all down clearly in stone once they crossed the Jordan, so that they would not forget. Apparently not remembering a law wasn’t an acceptable excuse for not obeying it. Today with God’s word so available, we have no excuse not knowing and obeying it. Instructions are also given for erecting an altar of uncut stones on Mount Elba.

Then Moses and priests pronounced what seems a declaration or reaffirmation of this generation of Israel as being God’s covenant people. Remember the earlier generation died in the wilderness. Then they outlined a ceremony for the nation to conduct once they arrived at Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. This ceremony later took place in Joshua 8:33-35. Six tribes stood in front of Gerizim and six in front of Ebal with the ark in the valley between them. The blessings for obeying the commandments were to be read aloud as well as the curses for disobeying them. The rest of this chapter emphasizes the potential curses that were pronounced from Mount Ebal. We seem to focus more on blessings than on the corresponding curses. Of course, as born-again believers, we get the blessings, while Jesus receives the curse we deserve: “Christ  redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who hangs on  a tree”— in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles, so that we  would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Gal. 3:13-14). 

REVELATION 5: Chapter four presented a fascinating picture of the throne of God. This chapter continues that scene by explaining that the one who is at the very center of the throne is the only one who is worthy to open the scroll that will reveal God’s plan for the earth. This one at the center is called:

  • The Lion of the Tribe of Judah
  • The Root of David
  • The Lamb

These titles show that this is none other than Jesus himself. (Remember from chapter 1, this book is focused on Jesus from the beginning to end.) Jesus is at the center with an ever-increasing circle of worshippers around him. Closest to the throne are the 4 living creatures 

DECEMBER 10, 2024 CONTINUED: REVELATION 5, PSALM 119:161-168  

and then the 24 elders that we met in the last chapter. These 28 beings sing a new song which focuses on why the Lamb is worthy.

  • He was slain.
  • He has purchased people from every tribe and language with his blood.
  • He has made them into a kingdom and to serve as priests.
  • He has called them to reign on the earth. 

Now we discover that beyond the 24 elders, there are 100,000,000 angels in loud worship. Can you imagine the volume of 100 million angels singing at the top of their voice? In yet another circle of worshippers beyond the angels, we find a multitude of creatures from heaven, earth and the sea. What a majestic scene and what majestic songs they sing. Their songs cry out that the one at the center is worthy of:

  • Power 
  • Wealth
  • Wisdom
  • Honor
  • Glory

  This Praise scene causes us to reflect on these questions:    

  • Have I received the offer of salvation that comes through his blood? 
  • Is Jesus at the center of my life?                                                                      
  • Do I allow him to sit on the throne of my heart?
  • Do I worship with loud songs of praise?

PSALM 119:161-168 These verses sing with joy over God’s word. Sure, rulers persecute the Psalmist without cause. But what is that compared with the pleasure he finds in God’s word? He views the Bible as one might view priceless treasures won in battle. He literally can’t stop praising God throughout the day (seven times) for the gift of His word. Do we think this Psalmist needs psychiatric help, or might we see where he’s coming from? In fact, the Psalmist contends it’s his love of the word that brings sanity and inner peace, not mental delusion. He unreservedly puts all his eggs in this basket without fear it will someday let him down or be found an embarrassment.  The more he obeys God’s word, the more he loves God’s word. Is this how we view the Bible? If not, what else do we find more interesting and relevant? Has it brought us the joy, hope and peace that the Psalmist finds in the Bible?