THE LORD SPOKE (March 11)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 1-2

You better have a map out when you read this passage. And it better be a good one. If you’re looking for where to find the Emites, Horites, Zamzummites you might run into some trouble. At least the Ammonites and the Moabites might sound a little more familiar.

Start with where the Israelites came from. Kadesh Barnea was in northern Sinai (today it’s actually over the border and on the Egyptian side). We’re told that it is an eleven day journey from Kadesh Barnea to Horeb (Deut. 1:2). Another four or five days would put them on the Plains of Moab where Moses delivered his sermons - five of them here in Deuteronomy.

The first chapter pulls together several terms to describe what Moses is doing here. He “spoke to all Israel” (Deut. 1:1), he “proclaimed to the Israelites all that the Lord had commanded” (Deut. 1:3), and then he “began to expound this law” (Deut. 1:5).

Deuteronomy 1:7 has a succinct description of the Promised Land - “the hill country [= central mountain ridge]...the Arabah [= the Jordan Rift Valley], the mountains [= northern Galilee], the western foothills [= Shephelah], the Negev [southern desert], and along the coast [= coastal plain]”. Take careful note: this was promised “to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (Deut. 1:8), not to Abraham, Ishmael, and the Arabs.

There follows a series of triads, each of which could render good fruit for further study:

• Deut. 1:12 - problems, burdens, disputes
• Deut. 1:13 - wise, understanding, and respected men
• Deut. 1:16 - hear, judge fairly, do not show partiality
• Deut. 1:19-21 - saw the Land, reached the Land, go in and take possession of the Land
• Deut. 1:26-27 - unwilling to go, rebelled, grumbled

The list could go on, but the saddest triad is what Israel thought about what God was doing. After all His loving provision in bringing them out of Egypt and through that vast desert, they said (Deut. 1:27):

1. “the Lord hates us”
2. “he brought us out of Egypt to deliver us [to the enemy]”
3. he wants “to destroy us”

How could they get it so wrong? Moses took them to task and that’s the bulk of what remains in this book. It’s a marvelous reminder of Israel’s history but a good lesson and reminder to us also of our rebellious nature and how to deal with it. We have a gracious God!


New Testament: John 2

When the couple made out their guest list, they made a point of inviting Jesus and His disciples to the wedding in Cana (Jn. 2:2). Why might that be? It certainly suggests that He wasn’t some sourpuss looking for parades to rain on. Having Jesus at your party was a big plus, unless, of course, it was the wrong sort of party.

For example, in the very next story, Jesus turns out the party animals who made a mockery of the sanctity of His Father’s house (Jn. 2:14-16). Yet He was there in Jerusalem to celebrate what was/is arguably the most fun of all the Jewish festivals - Passover. Jesus was frequently the guest of honor at dinner parties and various gatherings of small groups. I find it very interesting that in every post-resurrection appearance of the Lord there is food involved. Our great reunion with Him and all His saints is called the “Wedding Feast of the Lamb” (Rev. 19:9).

But back to Cana. Jesus’ mother was there too and appears to have some connections to the family hosting the wedding party. She is aware when the supplies run low and asks her Son to do something about it. Coming as it does at the very beginning of His public ministry, this represents a temptation to use His divine power for personal aggrandizement. That explains His seemingly abrupt words to her in verse four: “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” It is also reflected in His statement that His time had not yet come.

Indeed, it hadn’t. Until that very moment! The story concludes with a statement that this was “the first of His miraculous signs” and that “He thus revealed His glory” (Jn. 2:11). The time had come! O, glory - how it had come. For the next three and a half years He laid the foundation of our faith on His words and works.

Come, Thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art,
Dear Desire of ev’ry nation
Joy of ev’ry longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child, and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.