March 17 Readings

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The Back to the Bible Chronological Reading Plan

Today's reading from Deuteronomy 17-20

Deuteronomy 17 deals with worshiping other gods (v. 1-7, law courts (8-13), appointment of a king (v.15-20) God was very strict about worshiping other god because it was detestable to Him and the penalty is death. Who is the god of your life? Is it God or a god such as pleasure, ambition, money, or a car?
We must understand that He is a jealous GOD. God takes the law courts very seriously. The parties involved must accept the verdict of the judge or the priest. There was no room for appeals as it is today where the judicial system has gone corrupt. If there was a contempt of the priest or judge, they would be put to death. God was their King in the time of Moses. God is a just God and He requires His people to act justly.
This is what is called a theocracy but God foreknew the problems Israel would have with human kings so he was trying to prepare them for that some 400 years later. Most of the kings were very evil in the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah. Who should be the king of life be?

Deuteronomy 18 deals with the offerings for priests and Levites (v. 1-8) and detestable practices (v.9-13) and the role of the Prophet (v. 14-21). God provide food for the priests and Levite through the sacrifices. He takes of those who serve Him. As for detestable practices, He warned the Israelites not to learn from the inhabitants in Canaan. Do not learn such practices such as divination, demonism, witchcraft, or practice spells. It is very common today, the is a fascination with the spiritual world. We should have no part in this. Finally there is a prophecy of Christ in verse 15 and 17. We need to test when someone said that they have the Word of God or that he is a Christian. There are many false prophets running around today. Test the internet sites that you visit against the Word of God to see whether it is authentic.

Deuteronomy 19 spoke about the Cities of Refuge (Deut 19.1-14; Num 35.6-34; Deut 4.41-43; Josh 20.1-9) and about witnesses. One witness was not enough but two or three are needed. Moses warned against perjury.

Deuteronomy 20 spoke about the rules of war. God was in front of them granting them victory. God wanted the Israelites to realize that the cities that the Israelites would have as an inheritance must have all its inhabitants killed. This is horrific in human terms but God does not want the Israelites to be contaminated by idolatry, and detestable practices. what about us. All the spiritual strongholds in our lives must be destroyed.


Deuteronomy 17 with Commentaries, verse by verse
Deuteronomy 18 with Commentaries, verse by verse
Deuteronomy 19 with Commentaries, verse by verse
Deuteronomy 20 with Commentaries, verse by verse

Other Links
OT Gateway Links on Deuteronomy
Malik Introduction to Deuteronomy
Malik Argument of Deuteronomy
Israel's Covenant Renewal
Dr. Thomas Constable Study Notes is a PDF file, open with Adobe Acrobatic Reader
Calvin Harmony of the Law Volume 1 Search for the chapter you want with (CTRL F)
Calvin Harmony of the Law Volume 2 Search for the chapter you want with (CTRL F)
Calvin Harmony of the Law Volume 3 Search for the chapter you want with (CTRL F)
Calvin Harmony of the Law Volume 4 Search for the chapter you want with (CTRL F)
Spurgeon's Sermons on Deuteronomy
Biblebb.com Website
Stedman on Deuteronomy and Numbers

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This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.