The God In The Old Testament Was Loving Too
Old Testament Thoughts Pt. 4
It’s time to jump back into my series of thoughts on the Old Testament, where I attempt to write some kind of article on each book from the Old Testament.
I have been putting this off big time. I was about to skip Deuteronomy altogether to be honest. I already wrote an article for Joshua, and it is just sitting in my drafts. I also want to write two different articles for Judges.
Each week, I have wanted to sit down, and just write something. But I always had an excuse. That’s been a major theme in my writing life lately. Always something “better” to do…
Anyway, I am rambling. I love the book of Deuteronomy. It’s just a little long and intimidating to write about, but here we are. I am going to give it my best shot. I have been praying for weeks. So, I am counting on God for inspiration and the right words.
Deuteronomy is a book on Moses’ last words.
As we know from Numbers, Moses was told by God that he wouldn’t enter the Promise Land.
“‘Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.’
So, Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded him. He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, ‘Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?’ Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.
But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.’” Numbers 20:8–12
Moses had to give the Israelites their last bit of encouragement and reminders to follow, because he would have to die before entering their Promise Land.
“And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in Moab, as the Lord had said.” — Deuteronomy 34:5
Imagine the pressure that Moses felt knowing that he was about to die, and he needed to use his last bit of life so wisely.
Deuteronomy is one of the four most quoted books in the New Testament, and the MOST quoted Old Testament book by Jesus.
There’s a lot of importance in reading Deuteronomy. By reading it, we can get a better understanding of what Jesus was saying much later on.
Deuteronomy is made up of Moses’s last three speeches. These three speeches were divided up into six categories in the book I used to study, “Deuteronomy” by LifeChange.
- Historical Prologue: 1:1–3:29
- Basic Stipulations: 4:1–11:32
- Specific Cases: 12:1–26:19
- Document Clause: 27
- Blessings and Curses: 29:1–30:20
- Transfer of Leadership: 31:1–34:12
That would all be a lot to unfold in one article.
After much deliberation, I decided that I would just share some of my favorite verses from Deuteronomy.
A lot of times, we look at God in the Old Testament as wrathful, but He was also full of love for His people back then too…
The Lord goes before us and fights our battles before we even know about them. He carries us as a father would His child.
“…The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.” Deuteronomy 1:30–31
The Word of the Lord is perfect. It doesn’t require us to edit or change anything. (An important reminder for these times where everyone wants to have their own interpretation and use their own agenda to speak for God.)
“Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.” Deuteronomy 4:2
God did amazing wonders for the Israelites. He showed them how powerful and wonderful He is through His signs. And we are able to read all about how wonderful He is because of the Bible.
“You were shown these things so that you might know that the Lord is God; besides him there is no other.” — Deuteronomy 4:35
Lastly, we are to give our all to Lord. We are to hold onto His Word tightly.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” — Deuteronomy 6:5–9
I could list many more.
The book I mentioned took a deep dive into the first few chapters of Deuteronomy. So, that’s a huge reason most of my Bible verses were from the very beginning of the book.
The book I mentioned really did open my eyes to how much the Lord loves His children. I didn’t see a wrathful God… I saw a God that loved fiercely and would do anything to protect His people.
“The Lord, Himself, goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
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