Daily Bible Reading for March 15, 2020

Today my Bible reading plan covers Deuteronomy, Chapters 11 through 13.

In Chapter 13, Moses warns the Israelites to consider the discipline of the LORD that he meted out in Egypt against Pharaoh and his army, how the earth swallowed up Dathan and Abiram and their household for their wickedness, but that they ought rather love God and serve him and keep his commandments.

Key verses in which Moses lays out a choice occur in verses 26-28:

“See, I am setting before your today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and the curse if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods that you have not known.”

In Chapter 12, God charges the Israelites to destroy every aspect of worship in the land that they are going to possess. He does this to protect them from following their pattern of worshiping gods who are no gods. God tells them that he would choose a place of worship where he will make his habitation, and there they shall go.

I find it somewhat strange that today I am not “going” to my church as we are in this unique place and time of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A key verse in this chapter occurs verses 4-5:

“You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way. But you shall seek the place that the LORD your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there. There you shall go…”

In Chapter 13, in order to deter idolatry, God gives the Israelites drastic measures to take when it is found among them.

“You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him.”

God knows our frame that we are dust, and as a father loves his children, God provides guardrails for us. He warns of the wrong paths and lays out the right path which is following him, obeying him, but if and when we go off, he chastens and disciplines those he loves.

Let’s read the Book!