Daily Bible Reading for March 17, 2020

Today, my reading plan covers chapters 17-20 of Deuteronomy.

In Chapter 17, Moses continues his address to the Israelites of God’s word to them. He warns them against doing anything that the LORD hates and instructs them on laws in how to administer judgment against those who have transgressed God’s law.  God uses this law to purge the evil from them.

“So you shall purge the evil from Israel. And all the people shall hear and fear and not act presumptuously again.” Deuteronomy 17:12b-13 ESV

In Chapter 18, God reminds the Israelites through Moses that he will raise up a new prophet after Moses dies, and promises to speak through him all that he commands just as he did with Moses. Whatever the prophet speaks in his name they are expected to obey.

“And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.” Deuteronomy 18: 19

In Chapter 19, Moses reminds the Israelites of the laws pertaining to the cities of refuge for those who unintentionally kills another, property boundary protection, and the number of witnesses necessary to establish a charge. When one is found guilty, they must execute the required punishment and must not waver.

“Your eye shall not pity. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.” Deuteronomy 19:21

In Chapter 20, God’s wisdom, knowledge of man, and sovereignty are seen in his laws regarding warfare.  God doesn’t want the Israelites to fear and they go in to take the land driving out the nations whom God will give into their hands. God provides exemptions for any whose hearts are not in the fight. God wants them to devote the nations to complete destruction so that they don’t adapt their practices and sin against God.

“But you shall devote them to complete destruction… that they may not teach you to do according to all their abominable practices that they have done for their gods, and so you sin against the LORD your God.” Deuteronomy 20:17a, 18

God knows us and like he provided guardrails and laws to protect the Israelites from turning out of his way, he has given us his word and his Spirit to guide us.

Let’s read the Book!