Daily Bible Devotionals

“Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions, but did not seek the Lord’s counsel. So Joshua established peace with them and made a treaty to let them live, and the leaders of the community swore an oath to them. Three days after making the treaty with them, they heard that the Gibeonites were neighbors living among them. Joshua 9:14-16 (HCSB)

Let’s once again consider Israel’s deliverance into Canaan as a metaphor for our salvation. The “land” would represent your own body. The “former inhabitants” would be representative of those former fleshly desires that used to drive you down destructive paths.

Once Israel received deliverance, by God’s grace, they were commanded to drive out those former inhabitants. In a similar manner, once we have been delivered through Messiah, we are commanded to drive out the “former self” and its controlling desires.

Israel was doing a pretty good job of it. They had the issue with Achan taking the spoils of war, but they dealt with him. Soon, they were back on the path to victorious dispossession.

Then came the Gibeonites. Israel was so naïve that they fell for a scam that seemed too simple to be a lie! Followers of Jesus, immature in their faith, can do the same thing. Sometimes, older believers display the same immaturities as younger believers!

Satan comes to lie, steal and destroy. He lies to entice you away from the Lord. Once you fall for the lie, he steals your blessing. Set apart from the Lord’s blessing, Satan has effectually destroyed your impact as a believer. Often, he will present a “former inhabitant” in a new light or even try to disguise it as a whole other thing that the Lord would approve of.

Israel’s problem is that they forgot the most important part of their investigation: They didn’t seek the Lord’s counsel.

You may have experienced victories in various areas of morality, but don’t ever believe the lie that says you don’t need to seek the Lord continually. He cares about the smallest details of your life. The only stupid question is the one you didn’t take to the Lord and weigh it against the trustworthiness of His Word.

Consider the verse we teach children and never forget we are children in God’s eyes:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones." Proverbs 3:5-8 (NKJV)

“Now the Lord said to Joshua: ‘Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed: take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king. Only its spoil and its cattle you shall take as booty for yourselves. Lay an ambush for the city behind it.’ So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai; and Joshua chose thirty thousand mighty men of valor and sent them away by night.” Joshua 8:1-3 (NKJV)

I love my Google Maps app. Sure, I love it because it gives me exact turn-by-turn directions to the places I want to go, and I love it because it takes into consideration real-time events like road construction and traffic accidents and re-routes me accordingly. But I love Google Maps MOSTLY because there is no shame in it.

If I fail to make a wrong turn, Google Maps simply finds the next best route based on my position. That is because the goal of Google Maps is to get me where I want to be without emotions getting in the way. Google Maps never says, “You’re such an idiot!” or “Why don’t you listen to me?” It never tells me, “You are a bonehead like your dad!” You know, things I might hear from certain other passengers in the car, who are stressed out and late for an appointment…

In today’s passage, we are reminded that the Lord lays aside the shame and guilt from the previous chapter and redirects Israel toward His goal of victory in Ai. We are reminded of His grace and mercy toward His people. Once the sin has been purged, the Lord encourages Joshua that He will again go before the army of Israel and guarantee victory. We are reminded of His forgiving character, that God does not hold a grudge. Once sin is dealt with, He sets us back on the path of righteousness.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (NKJV)

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His faithful love toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. For He knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust.” Psalm 103:11-14 (HCSB)

Once God has given His assurance of victory, the details of the battle sort of fly by. Sure, there is a narrative and some drama with an ambush, but the whole battle only takes up a few paragraphs, like reading a news story. The real drama happens at the chapter’s end: Re-Writing and Reading the Torah of Moses. And that remembrance and re-commitment are what we do when we seek His Word each day. Keep your focus on the Lord and His Word, and the idolatry of this world will be exposed as the harlotry it is! And you will walk in victory, as the Lord promises.

“Achan replied to Joshua, ‘It is true. I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. This is what I did: When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Babylon, 200 silver shekels, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, I coveted them and took them. You can see for yourself. They are concealed in the ground inside my tent, with the money under the cloak.’” Joshua 7:20-21 (HCSB)

Achin’s confession provides precise insight into the pattern of sin. There are predictable steps that people always take leading up to the “sin act.”

Achin responds to Joshua: 1) I saw, 2) I coveted, 3) I took, and 4) I hid.

We have all willfully disobeyed the Lord. Be honest; we have all done it. It always begins with a look. Seeing is not a sin. It’s just an awareness that something exists. For instance, there is nothing wrong with recognizing someone is attractive. There’s obviously nothing wrong with being attractive. (That is, as long as you’re not knowingly exploiting your attractiveness in such a way as to tempt someone.) But we get into moral hot water when we linger on what we see.

Lingering too long on an object of desire can lead to coveting. Coveting is a form of idolatry where you ascribe power & control to something that should otherwise have a benign effect on you. Eventually, you simply can’t live without the object of your desire, regardless of what God says about the matter. You become obsessed.

Obsession is a heart condition; it is sin. Unchecked covetous obsession leads to some form of “acting out.” That action of sinning has observable consequences.

The primary consequence of sin is to the offender. That consequence is called “guilt.” When people feel guilty, they cover their sin instead of confessing. If they would confess, the Lord would forgive them, and the community could bring them into accountability and restoration. Sadly, since it was pride that turned the sinner away from righteousness, it is typically pride that keeps them from confession and restoration.

Once sin is hidden, there is only one step left: Revelation. That is God’s part. God exposes the sinner. His revelation of sin is not the same as man’s confession. Confession is good for the soul, but the un-willful revelation of sin leads to some manner of stricter judgment and remorse.

In closing, there is a concept taught in today’s passage that seems to be lost in our society. It is the concept that one person’s sin affects the entire community. There is no personal secret sin that only affects you. Just as your personal devotion to God plays an important role in the overall health of a Godly community, your personal sin is damaging to that community.

“…resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (HCSB) (Matthew 4:1-11)

“At that time, the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelite men again.’  So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelite men at Gibeath-haaraloth.  This is the reason Joshua circumcised them: All the people who came out of Egypt who were males – all the men of war – had died in the wilderness along the way after they had come out of Egypt.  Though all the people who came out were circumcised, none of the people born in the wilderness along the way were circumcised after they came out of Egypt.”  Joshua 5:2-5 (HCSB)

Sometimes our sin cannot be fully realized in our lifetime.  This is especially true with so-called “secret sin,” or sins of the heart.  Of course, God knows everything, so there is no “secret sin.”  But sinful thoughts and attitudes, which are not displayed in overtly demonstrative ways, are still transmitted and “caught” by those close to you: this is whether you know it or not.  People close to you know you better than you may think.

Not all people who do good deeds have a good heart.  But all people whose hearts are right will do good deeds.  If you follow a righteous person home and spy on their intimate surroundings, you’ll find that righteousness begins with simple habits of personal worship: They read their Bibles and pray; they begin the day grounded.  Then, they teach God’s Word to their children, share it with their spouse, friends, and co-workers, etc.

Israel had developed a “heart problem.”  After they had personally set themselves apart through circumcision, they had neglected to circumcise the next generation.  So much so that EVERY boy born in the desert could be distinguished by his un-circumcision!

God commanded Joshua to perform a simple (albeit extremely painful) procedure that every parent had denied their baby boys on the eighth day after their child’s birth.  Interestingly, doctors say circumcision hurts infants much less than adults.  Infants heal faster and are less mobile, thus irritating their circumcised “area” less.

There are certain things the Lord requires of us; no questions or negotiations allowed.  Delaying obedience only delays the inevitable.  The “Exodus generation” Israelites’ lack of personal zeal affected at least two generations: Theirs and their childrens. 1) They were personally not allowed to enter the Promised Land, and 2) They caused undue trauma to their children.

“The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Look, I have handed Jericho, its king, and its fighting men over to you. March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this six days. Have seven priests carry seven ram’s horn trumpets (shofars) in front of the ark. But on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the trumpets. When there is a prolonged blast of the horn and you hear its sound, have all the people give a mighty shout. Then the city wall will collapse, and the people will advance, each man straight ahead.’” Joshua 6:2-5 (HCSB)

Let’s face it. Some things the Lord asks us to do simply don’t make sense to us at the time. Sometimes, life seems to fall apart. Whenever that happens, we feel the urge to put God on the back burner and take control of ourselves. All the while, the Lord is telling us, “Be still, and watch me deliver you….”

If we were honest with each other, we’d have to admit we want God to supply everything we need, with no effort on our part. But that’s not God’s plan. If you listen closely, you can hear God saying, “Work hard, and I will deliver you.”

So, do we wait on him, or do we work hard? In a word, YES! The key to following the Lord is in our closeness to Him and our listening for His direction. Sometimes He shouts, but mostly He speaks at a normal volume or even whispers. He is not silent; we’re just not listening.

Just outside of Jericho, the Israelites must have been thinking Joshua was out of his mind. “You want us to WHAT?” Not only were they commanded to march around Jericho once a day for six days and blow trumpets, but they couldn’t even utter a word. In the words of my friend, Rabbi Larry Feldman, “Do you know how hard it is to keep Jewish people from talking? There’s your miracle!”

Israel had to learn a lesson in obedience, and we could all learn from it. If the victory is the Lord’s, the battle method is arbitrary. Not unimportant, just arbitrary to conventional thought. How does tithing expand your business? How does prayer heal a person’s cancer? How does reading Scripture restore a marriage? None of those things, in and of themselves, accomplishes those goals. God performs the miracle, but He commands us to faithfully obey His Word.

God may give us limited participation in the processes, but He doesn’t need us to accomplish His purposes. He simply calls us to obey. Sometimes, I wonder if the (seemingly) arbitrary nature of our participation is exactly what He intended, so the source of the victory will be undeniably Him!

“The Israelites did just as Joshua commanded them. The 12 men took stones from the middle of the Jordan, one for each of the Israelite tribes, just as the Lord had told Joshua. They carried them to the camp and set them down there. Joshua also set up 12 stones in the middle of the Jordan where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant were standing. The stones are there to this day.” Joshua 4:8-9 (HCSB)

Israel is a very rocky place. There is a story they tell children in Israel: During creation, the Lord told two of His angels to fly around the world, scattering the rocks. One was to fly to the west, and the other eastward. When they flew over Israel, they collided, spilling them all!

Whenever you see “rocks” in the Bible, the term communicates “remembrance.” Rocks were here before us, and they’ll be here long after we’re gone. All the memorials in Israel are covered in small stones. It sends a clear message: You are not forgotten.

It makes sense then that Joshua would command the Israelites to gather stones from the bottom of the Jordan. He wanted future generations to see the rocks and ask, “Why are these stacked here?” The rocks are evidence of the miracle. In every re-telling of the miracle story, God’s deliverance is remembered.

Joshua’s stone memorial reminds me of when John the Baptist rebuked the skeptics who came out to see him immersing people in the Jordan.

“And don’t presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones!” Matthew 3:9 (HCSB)

Could it be that John the Baptist was pointing to that very stack of rocks that Joshua had set up? He was certainly in the same area where Israel crossed over. The Bible doesn’t say.

Perhaps, more intriguing than the stack of rocks on the bank of the Jordan was the stack of rocks Joshua placed at the bottom of the Jordan.

The prophet Jeremiah describes a highway in the last days on which the exiles of Israel, accompanied by people from all nations, will walk home. The riverbeds will dry up. Could it be that on their march home, this group of Jew and Gentile believers will cross Jordan’s riverbed and see those stones Joshua arranged and remember Him who miraculously fulfills His Word?

From time to time, when the Lord brings me through a difficult season, I will select a special stone and place it in a visible place as a memorial. Whenever I see it, I’m reminded of God’s deliverance. Take a moment and remember God’s grace in your life.

“So the two men went into the hill country and stayed there three days until the pursuers had returned. They (soldiers of Jericho) searched all along the way, but did not find them. Then the men returned, came down from the hill country, and crossed the Jordan. They went to Joshua son of Nun and reported everything that had happened to them. They told Joshua, “The Lord has handed over the entire land to us. Everyone who lives in the land is also panicking because of us.” Joshua 2:22-24 (HCSB)

When considering Joshua’s strategy of sending spies into Canaan, it may help to review Numbers 13-14. Under Moses’ direction, 12 spies were sent out. 10 came back with a bad report and disheartened the Israelites. The dissenting 2 spies were Joshua and Caleb.

Per God’s judgment, the only two from that generation who were allowed to enter the Promised Land were Joshua & Caleb. They believed God despite overwhelming circumstances.

When Joshua began leading Israel, and the time came to send out spies, he remembered Israel’s past failure. Last time, only 2-out-of-10 gave a good report, so perhaps this time Joshua chose only 2 spies: Righteous spies. The 2 spies’ scouting of Jericho is strikingly similar to the 2 angels’ scouting Sodom and Gomorrah before its destruction. (Genesis 18:16, Genesis 19)

A faithless spy might have seen a well-fortified city full of people eager to defend themselves. God showed Joshua’s spies something different. They observed that the people of Jericho had lost their resolve. All Jericho was afraid of Israel because Israel held the most important military position: the high moral ground. Hence, God would fight for Israel.

Consider the testimony of Rahab, the prostitute, “For we have heard how the Lord dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings you completely destroyed across the Jordan. When we heard this, we lost heart and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and earth below.” Joshua 2:10-11 (HCSB)

When you commit yourself to know the crucified and resurrected Messiah, and nothing else, you hold the most valuable advantage in spiritual battle. Search His Word for truth to live by and depend on the power of His Spirit to sustain and prosper you. For in doing so, no weapon formed against you will prosper. (Isaiah 54:17)

When you prepare for spiritual battle and seek wise reconnaissance, cut yourself free of all opinions that forsake God’s promise and power. Rely only on those who trust in the Lord and who have committed to living solely by His Word.

“Only be strong and very courageous that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:7-8*

It is especially difficult when a really good leader must be replaced. Take Moses, for instance. Joshua was not the central figure in Moses and Aaron’s day. He was a man always just out of focus in the background of the photos of Moses and Aaron. Would the people trust and follow Joshua? The greater question is: Will Joshua trust and follow the Lord? In a results-oriented world, it is good to know that we serve a process-oriented God. God is highly concerned with our obedience. He (and He alone) provides the fruit of our labor. And that is freeing, isn’t it? We really need only to seek Him through His Word and pray and act according to it, knowing that is all He requires of us. It is definitely a point that King David wanted us to remember:

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly; nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in His Law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2

Following God’s Word is a struggle at war with our human nature: The flesh (the corruptible sin-self) struggles against the Holy Spirit within us. Therefore, true faith is not simple or purely intellectual but demands strength and courage from us.

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” Romans 7:18-23

Yet, in the midst of our struggle (to know and obey God’s Word), we have hope and assurance from His Word that God’s victory is not only assured but that the Holy Spirit, which works within the believer, will accomplish what He has called us to do! But we must respond in accordance with the Holy Spirit.

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are in the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” 1 John 4:4-6

*all verses are NKJV

“Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which faces Jericho, and the Lord showed him all the land: Gilead as far as Dan, all of Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Mediterranean Sea, the Negev, and the region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar. The Lord then said to him, ‘This is the land I promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your own eyes, but you will not cross it.’” Deuteronomy 34:1-4 (HCSB)

Deuteronomy 34, the last chapter in the Torah, ends with the death of Moses. Just before Moses’ death, the Lord led him to the top of Pisgah on Mount Nebo. From there, the Lord enabled Moses to see the “promised land” in its entirety.

When I first read this passage, as a young believer, I felt God was being cruel to Moses. Adonai didn’t seem very gracious towards His servant, who faithfully trusted Him. Moses wasn’t perfect, but it felt like God was dangling the ever-elusive carrot one last time.

A few years ago, I went to the top of Mount Pisgah just to view Israel as Moses had. To my surprise, you can hardly see the land at all!! It was then that I realized God had given Moses an extraordinary gift. He had enabled Moses to see prophetically. Add the fact that Israel never fully conquered the land, and God’s grace to Moses is more profound. Moses is the ONLY person to have seen the Promised Land inhabited by Israel in its entirety.

Faith is the evidence of things unseen, and at the end of his faithful life, Moses was allowed to view the object of his faith journey. (James 1:12) For Moses, it was enough. He could pass, knowing his work was not in vain. Moses’ success would come at the hands of his successor, Joshua.

For us, the end of the Torah should act as a reminder that life is not about building our earthly kingdoms. We should be focused on the Heavenly one. God honors those who “die to themselves” so that others can enter into His Kingdom.

There’s only one thing better than seeing the “promised land” just before you die. That’s entering God’s eternal presence immediately afterward. And that’s exactly what Moses did. (Matthew 17:1-9)

“This is the blessing that Moses, the man of God gave the Israelites before his death.” Deuteronomy 33:1 (HCSB)

Almost at the end of the Torah (and the end of his life), Moses’ closing remarks end with a song and a poetic blessing. Something to note is how Moses’ blessing differs from the blessing Jacob gave before he passed away.

As I pointed out a few days ago, Deuteronomy is a very gracious book. Moses retells Israel’s story but opts to focus on God’s grace and mercy instead of His punishment of sin. Moses’ blessing of Israel is gracious and positive. It is a sharp contrast to Jacob’s blessing, which seemed more like a curse! (Genesis 49)

Jacob’s blessing may have been harsh because of his paternal perspective. He knew his sons and the attitudes and spiritual tendencies that would be passed down throughout the generations. Moses’ blessing was based on what the Lord had shown him concerning His plans for Israel’s future.

Something you may have noticed missing from Moses’ blessing is that the tribe of Simeon is not mentioned. Scholars have varied differences of opinion as to why Simeon is absent. Some experts say the poem/blessing was added after Moses’ death (by Ezra), leading them to believe the tribe of Simeon was irretrievably dispersed at the time of the blessing’s addition to Deuteronomy. That assumption may be a well-informed, educated guess, but it is still conjecture.

Interestingly to note, the name “Simeon” makes a timely reappearance in the New Testament on the day of Jesus’ circumcision.

“There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple complex. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for Him what was customary under the law, Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said: ‘Now, Master, You can dismiss your slave in peace, according to Your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation. You have prepared it in the presence of all the peoples – a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for Your people, Israel.’” Luke 2:25-32 (HCSB)

Perhaps, it is totally unrelated, but I find it interesting that the name (Simeon), which Moses omits from his blessing, is the name of the man whom the Lord chose to bless Messiah Jesus on the day He was dedicated as a baby. Of course, in His pre-advent, Messiah (Who exists eternally in both past and future - Micah 5:2) had already been dedicated to being our “Yeshua” (Hebrew: “salvation of God,” aka “Jesus”) before the World was founded. (1 Peter 1:20; Revelation 13:8)

“They have provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God; they have moved Me to anger by their foolish idols. But I will provoke them to jealousy by those who are not a nation; I will move them to anger by a foolish nation.” Deuteronomy 32:21 (NKJV)

These days, it is unusual to find committed relationships. Over half the marriages end in divorce, and the talk shows and tabloids are filled with rumors of infidelity. But can you imagine cheating on God? Most people cheat because they’re looking for someone better. After being courted by God, there’s nowhere to go but down! Not only that, God is jealous for His “bride.”

In today’s chapter, the Lord turns the tables on Israel. He tells them that instead of making Him jealous by forsaking Him for other gods, He will make them jealous and enrage them because of His relationship with another people, a “non-people.” **See also the book of the prophet Hosea.

In the short term, God provoked Israel to jealousy when He eventually showed favor to Babylon, empowering them to drive Israel from the land. In a Messianic sense, God has shown His grace and love upon the Gentiles through Jesus. Jesus’ atonement is irrespective of nationality, and Paul’s conversion of Gentiles accomplished at least two purposes: 1) It provoked Israel to jealousy, prompting the return of many Jews to the Lord. 2) It parlayed Israel’s transgression into an opportunity to redeem the nations.

“I ask, then, have they (the Jews) stumbled so as to fall? Absolutely not! On the contrary, by their stumbling, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous. If their stumbling brings riches for the world and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full number bring? Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. In view of the fact that I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, if I can somehow make my own people jealous and save some of them.” Romans 11:11-14 (HCSB)

If Israel would forsake the Lord for the “false gods” of the Gentiles, perhaps, they would forsake those false gods in favor of Him when He became the God of the Gentiles. In essence, “If you want to follow the religions of the Gentiles, then I will cause the Gentiles to worship Me. Therefore, following the Gentiles will lead you back to Me.” But Israel was supposed to lead the Gentiles to God! And that is what Messiah, a Jew, did.

“I the Lord have called You into righteousness, and will hold Your hand, and will keep You, and give You for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and those that sit in darkness out from the prison house.” Isaiah 42:6 (NKJV)

“I Indeed He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give you as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My “salvation” (Heb: Yeshua, also the Name of Jesus) to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6 (NKJV)

“Moses commanded them, ‘At the end of every seven years, at the time of debt cancellation, during the Festival of Booths, when all Israel assembles in the presence of the Lord your God at the place He chooses, you are to read this law aloud before all Israel. Gather the people – men, women, children, and foreigners living within your gates – so that they may listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and be careful to follow all the words of this law. Then their children who do not know the law will listen and fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing to possess.’” Deuteronomy 31:10-13 (HCSB)

Deuteronomy has been described as the “book of Grace.” It recalls the failings of Israel yet chooses to focus more on their restoration than their punishment. Chapter 30, the “choose life” chapter, speaks of Israel’s restoration to the land before they ever entered it the first time. That’s pretty gracious and merciful, to say the least.

Whereas Moses, as a Biblical image, represents the letter of the law, his successor Joshua is more representative of God’s grace. As a matter of fact, Jesus’ name is a variation of the name “Joshua,” meaning: “God saves” or “YHWH is my salvation.”

The law gives us God’s standard and exposes our inability to meet that standard. It basically sets up God’s Grace. The law was never intended to be the vehicle to provide mankind deliverance; hence, Moses was never able to deliver Israel into Canaan. The Law can only take you to the edge of the promised land; only Grace can lead you in.

“ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)

Obviously, Joshua could be considered a “type” of Messiah. This is much the same way Joseph was a type of Messiah: Joseph forgave his brothers and saved his family (Israel) from certain death during the great famine in Canaan. In fact, because Yeshua’s mother, Miriam (aka Mary), was married to a man named Joseph, people would have commonly known Jesus as “Y’shua ben Yoseph”…which translates: “God saves, God removes my shame and grants me increase.”

In the year when debts were canceled, at the time when Israel was to remember God’s provision and guidance in the desert Exodus, the law was to be read to all Israelites and foreigners living within their gates. Sukkot (the Festival of Booths) reminds Israel of God’s faithful abidance, and the reading of the law recalls their transgressions. But because it is the year of canceling debts, God also reminds them of His grace, mercy, and forgiveness. (Luke 4:16-22)

As we approach the end of the Torah, be careful to listen and learn to fear the Lord so that you may prosper in the deliverance Messiah has graciously provided.

“All of you are standing today before the Lord your God – your leaders, tribes, elders, officials, all the men of Israel, your children, your wives, and the foreigners in your camps who cut your wood and draw your water – so that you may enter into the covenant of the Lord your God, which He is making with you today, so that you may enter into His oath and so that He may establish you today as His people and He may be your God as He promised you and as He swore to your fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I am making this covenant and this oath not only with you, but also with those who are standing here with us today in the presence of the Lord our God and with those who are not here today.” Deuteronomy 29:10-15 (HCSB)

Deuteronomy 27-30 are chapters pertaining to God’s covenant: Blessings for abiding by His commands, Curses for transgressing them, and provisions for Repentance and Returning to the Lord.

Almost hidden in all the verbiage is exactly WHO the covenant was pertaining to. Obviously, God is making His covenant with all Israel, but who were the “foreigners”? “Israel” is commonly (culturally) defined as those whose biological lineage is traced through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But alongside the Israelite is the Foreigner who seeks after the Lord. Whether slaves or members of the “mixed multitude” who left Egypt with the Israelites, the Bible records God’s desire for the foreigner to know and worship Him by including them in His covenant.

Know for sure that God’s covenant with Israel concerning the LAND is very clear. The land is divided among the tribes of Israel, and those of Israel who are scattered (even today) have the right of return. This is not only the position of the modern Israeli government, per se, but it is what’s written in Scripture.

There is an open attitude among Orthodox Jews (through organizations like Chabad) to teach the Torah to Gentiles (non-Jews). But they teach that Gentiles are under the “Noahide covenant.” That is, the general promise God gave to mankind after the great flood. They teach that Gentiles have no “Torah claim” to the covenants beyond the post-flood of Noah’s day.

Deuteronomy 29 is very clear that God spoke not only to those who are “Israel” by blood but also to those who are God’s people by Grace, through Faith (per the covenant of Abraham), when they faithfully follow the Lord. While the two are separate with respect to DNA and the Land, they are alike in terms of God’s blessing to those who, by faith, believe in Messiah Jesus and are counted righteous by His grace.

Revisiting the subject of the LAND of Israel, what benefit do Jewish people have if they return to the land yet refuse to return to the Lord through Messiah Jesus? Ultimately, they are far worse off than the Gentiles, who have no claim to the land yet trust in Messiah and receive atonement and eternal salvation. Remember, followers of Messiah (Jew and Gentile) await a New Jerusalem, so their hope is not in the old one.

“The Lord will cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you. They will march out against you from one direction but flee from you in seven directions.” Deuteronomy 28:7 (HCSB)

There are some who believe that following Jesus will ensure them a life free of conflict. To them, if you are having conflict in your spiritual life, there must be something wrong with your obedience to God. They will tell you that if you want to restore your personal peace, you should get back on track with Jesus. That’s not necessarily so.

Sure, there are times when we have to deal with the consequences of our willful sin. But not every hardship is a result of faithlessness. As a matter of fact, some hardship is directly from the Lord and should be considered a blessing. The peace that God provides His children does not always come in the form of the absence of conflict. Oftentimes, His “shalom” comes in the form of peace in the midst of conflict.

Prior to entering the land of Canaan, Moses emboldened the people and exhorted them to have courage when the enemy attacked. Remember: the Enemy is always prowling, preparing to attack, and he pounces whether we are ready or not.

Who is our enemy? Is it not the Devil, the World, and the Flesh?

If you are seeking the absence of conflict, you will be very disappointed. Conflict will come whether you are a Christian or not. When most people say they want “Peace,” what they really mean is that they want “Victory.” But you cannot have Victory without a battle/conflict! Each experienced victory builds towards a “stockpile of peace,” or HOPE that the Lord will resolve future conflict. Victory builds upon victory. (James 1)

Growing in faith doesn’t necessarily mean that we will eliminate conflict. It could mean that God is growing us so we can be faithful through even greater future conflict. It is all for His glory because each victory is His.

You will never live victorious until you trust the Lord and face conflict head-on. (Proverbs 3:5-6) God’s Word does not ensure the absence of conflict, but it does ensure victory through it.

“Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel, ‘Be silent, Israel, and listen! This day you have become the people of the Lord your God. Obey the Lord your God and follow His commands and statutes I am giving you today.’” Deuteronomy 27:9-10 (HCSB)

One Christmas morning, while my family gave each other presents, I told my children, "After all the wrapping paper has been torn off, and you see what you've gotten, let daddy and mommy help you open the manufacturer's packaging. There are small parts that may get lost or broken, so we have to open boxes with care."

Well, it happens every year. An over-confident “zealous for fun” child rips through a box, and something gets broken or damaged before it ever gets played with. It's sad because the trauma and grief (which always seems to follow disobedience) could have been avoided by employing a little self-control and following the rule.

Israel is about to open the “mother of all gifts.” They're on the verge of experiencing the fulfillment of God's promise. They are going to enter the land that generations of Israelites longed to possess. All the dialogue from Moses led up to one thing: It's actually going to happen!

In a short time, Israel would transcend in a way very few people groups ever have. That is why Moses tells them, “Today, you have become the people of God.” It's not that they haven't been God's people; His presence with and love for Israel had been undeniable. But at this moment, Israel was becoming a Nation with land and borders.

It's one thing to become a legitimate nation, like other nations. It's another thing to be a nation, separate and holy unto God.

It is from this fever-pitched nationalistic emotional and spiritual fervor that Moses gives a Biblical version of my holiday speech to my children before opening presents: Be quiet and listen! This “gift from God” needs to be unpacked methodically and carefully. Your enjoyment and blessing are dependent upon your following the instructions. In fact, I want you to write your own copy of the instructions!

Let's respond to today's passage by renewing our vigilance to know God's Word, His instruction manual for life. By seeking His instruction and adhering to it, we can fully enjoy His gift of deliverance through Messiah, Jesus.

“If you love Me, you will keep My commands.” John 14:15 (HCSB)

“When you come before the priest who is serving at that time, you must say to him, ‘Today I acknowledge to the LORD your God that I have entered the land the LORD swore to our fathers to give us.’” Deuteronomy 26:3 (HCSB)

There is so much gravity in this dialogue between the Israelite and the priest. Having entered the land, the Lord had promised to his forefathers; the time has come (3 years after entering-in) when the first tithe is brought. For three years, no matter what circumstances may have arisen to tempt the worshipper to steal from the Lord’s portion, he remained faithful to the Lord.

The worshipper’s testimony to the priest communicates many wonderful truths.

1) The Lord chose Israel from among the nations and promised Canaan to them.

2) The Lord was faithful to fulfill His promise.

3) The fulfilled promise was not particularly due to the merit of the recipient.

4) The Lord’s faithfulness accomplished its desired effect: Worship.

5) Because the Lord’s blessing was personal, the worshipper was inclined to recognize His corporate institutions. The office of priestly ministry is honored by the willful giving of tithes.

6) The Lord has given the worshipper a part to play in helping ensure the Levite, widow, orphan, and foreigner enjoy the corporate blessing of having entered the land, as well.

Let this be a challenge to us all. For us, worship is not solely a personal thing. Yes, Jesus is our personal Savior. But as He has saved us, personally, let’s remember that we are part of a greater community. He has plans for us personally and corporately.

If you are blessed with finances or some pertinent skill, remember that blessing is not solely for you. The Lord has chosen to pour His blessing upon you, that you would direct that blessing to others. This is so the community as a whole can be blessed in the same manner the Lord had blessed you, personally.

Hopefully, those individuals in need will respond as you have by recognizing the (above) truths about God and His great grace shown toward mankind. The Lord’s grace to others often comes from your obedient, worshipful giving.

“If the guilty party deserves to be flogged, the judge will make him lie down and be flogged in his presence with the number of lashes appropriate for his crime. He may be flogged 40 lashes, but no more. Otherwise, if he is flogged with more lashes than these, your brother will be degraded in your sight.” Deuteronomy 25:2-3 (HCSB)

In the Christian faith, there are three words that are important to understand when it comes to the relationship between Man’s behavior and God’s standard: Justice, Grace, and Mercy.

Justice is blind execution of the law. It respects no person and is purely an advocate of the law’s standard. When an alleged infraction arises, Justice is executed solely on facts, weighed against the letter of the law. The Bible says of God:

“...He will not leave the guilty unpunished...” Exodus 34:7 (HCSB)

Mercy is when the guilty party does not get what they deserve due to the benevolence of 1) an accuser or 2) a judge. While guilt remains (guilt is an immutable state of being for the lawbreaker), the consequences for guilt are lessened or removed through Mercy. The Bible speaks of God’s great mercy,

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.” Ephesians 2:4-5a (NKJV)

Grace is getting something you don’t deserve. If I were to walk up to a complete stranger and give them a Ferrari, that would be gracious (to say the least)! They did nothing to acquire such a gift, and the gifting was not contrary to their spiritual condition, per se.

“You are saved by grace! Together with Christ Jesus, He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens, so that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace through His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:5b-7 (HCSB)

Today’s passage in Deuteronomy 25 primarily deals with Justice and Mercy. It shows how a judge can be BOTH Just and Merciful in the same instance. The Judge can carry out the full letter of the law while respecting the dignity of the person being punished.

Let this be a challenge. When seeking justice, remember to be merciful. Through it all, the guilty party remains your “brother or sister.” Perhaps, the greatest gift you’ll ever give yourself is an enemy-turned-grateful friend.

“Be careful in a case of infectious skin disease, following carefully everything the Levitical priests instruct you to do. Be careful to do as I have commanded them. Remember what the Lord your God did to Miriam on the Journey after you left Egypt.” Deuteronomy 24:8-9 (HCSB)

On a causal fly-over, today’s passage could be interpreted in a number of ways. But because the Lord included a reference to Miriam, we have a better understanding as to what He was trying to communicate. Let’s revisit the story of Miriam’s leprosy.

“When the two of them (Aaron and Miriam) came forward, the Lord said, ‘Listen to what I say: If there is a prophet among you from the Lord, I make myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream. Not so, with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My household. I speak with him directly, openly, and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord. So why were you not afraid to speak against My servant, Moses?’ The Lord’s anger burned against them, and He left. As the cloud moved away from the tent, Miriam’s skin suddenly became diseased, as white as snow.” Numbers 12:5b-10a (HCSB)

Here’s the scenario: Miriam and Aaron were Moses’ elder siblings. Aaron was first born, so it was his “birthright” to lead their family spiritually. Miriam was the older sister who had watched over the floating basket containing baby Moses.

Given their elder status and their histories of caring for Moses, it seems logical that they would be compelled to “lead” him. Familiarity breeds contempt. In fact, it was their family rank and relation to Moses which presumed their right to criticize his decisions.

Problem: Moses was God’s servant, doing what the Lord directed him to do. Questioning Moses meant questioning God.

Our present-day application is simple. When you sin against God by questioning His institution of leadership and or His faithful leaders, watch out! The Lord may allow you to contract some form of “leprosy” (physical or metaphorical). And God will use that rebuke (that desperate circumstance He allows in your life as a result of your rebellion) in order to drive you to submit to the comfort, care, and direction of the very ministers you criticized.

“If you see your brother’s ox or sheep straying, you must not ignore it; make sure you return it to your brother.” Deuteronomy 22:1 (HCSB)

In the first three verses of Deuteronomy 22, we find a repetition of the law in Exodus 23:4-5 regarding our duty to restore the straying ox or donkey and the lifting up of a fallen beast of burden. The law here is widened to include other lost articles that require restoration to their owners.

Exodus speaks of the things belonging to “your ENEMY.” Here, the wider term “your BROTHER” is used. Whether your neighbor is your brother or enemy, his property must be protected and restored. Failure to do so is accounted as theft. Leviticus 6:1-5

This situation reminds me of the passage in the New Testament, where an expert of the law asked Jesus, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Here’s their exchange:

“What is written in the law?” Jesus asked him. “How do you read it?”

He answered: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.”

“You’ve answered correctly,” Jesus told him. “Do this, and you will live.”

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?

**Jesus took up the question and told him the story of the “good Samaritan.”

Then Jesus asked, “Which of these three do you think proved to be a good neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”

“The one who showed mercy to him,” he said.

Then Jesus told him, “Go and do the same.” Luke 10:25a-37 (HCSB)

Some folks see those around them as brothers. Others see them as enemies.

If you love the Lord with all that is within you, you’ll treat your enemies as Jesus did, like brothers. Chances are, they’ll respond by being good neighbors.

Ask yourself: “How good am I at being a good neighbor?

“If anyone is found guilty of an offense deserving the death penalty and is executed, and you hang his body on a tree, you are not to leave his corpse on a tree overnight but are to bury him that day, for anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.” Deuteronomy 21:22-23 (HCSB)

Deuteronomy, chapter 21, covers five somewhat obscure Messianic themes: Forgiveness of innocent bloodshed, Fair treatment of captured women, the right of the firstborn between two wives (one loved and one hated), the purging (stoning) of an unrepentant rebellious son, and the display of executed people. Let’s review how Jesus relates to each of those five themes.

Jesus’ first statement from the Roman cross was, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” He was declaring to God that Israel’s hands were not directly involved in His murder. In fact, it was technically the Romans who crucified Jesus. Jesus was absolving Israel, corporately, of their collective responsibility in His death.

When you consider the “cross” as the great victory of spiritual warfare, all those from among the nations who have been redeemed are spoils of war. The Church is called the “bride of Messiah,” and the fair treatment of Gentile believers is acknowledged here.

Often in Scripture, both Israel and the Church are referred to as a “young virgin” or a “bride.” God neither condones nor practices divorce. With the consideration of the “Church as bride” mentality, provision must be made for God’s favor towards each “bride’s” offspring, with respect to blessing and rights of first birth. Hence, God’s covenant is extended to every new believer, whether Jewish or Gentile.

Jesus was considered to be a rebellious son by the Sanhedrin. In contrast, the religious leaders compelled the crowd to urge Pilate to release Barabas, who was an actual rebel. Instead of purging Israel of evil, they preferred to retain evil and dispense with righteousness.

While the “cross” remains the worldwide symbol of Christianity, the “tree” is actually more thematically appropriate as the Hebrew Biblical image of cursed suffering. The cross was, after all, made of wood. There is a curse against anyone hung on a tree and against the land if that person was to remain on the tree overnight. Consider this Scripture:

“There was a good and righteous man named Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin, who had not agreed with their plan and action. He was from Arimathea, a Judean town, and was looking forward to the kingdom of God. He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Taking it down, he wrapped it in fine linen and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever been placed. It was preparation day and the Sabbath was about to begin.” Luke 23:50-54 (HCSB)

“When you go to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you.” Deuteronomy 20: 1 (HCSB)

“When you are about to engage in battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army. He is to say to them: ‘Listen, Israel: Today you are about to engage in battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, alarmed, or terrified because of them. For the Lord your God is the One who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Deuteronomy 20: 2-4 (HCSB)

“The officers will continue to address the army and say, ‘Is there a man who is afraid, or fainthearted? Let him leave and return, so that his brothers’ hearts won’t melt like his own.’” Deuteronomy 20: 8 (HCSB)

A few years back, American suspense novelist, Steven King, wrote a book called “On Writing.” Less a text about the rudiments of writing, “On Writing” was more of a biography. In King’s opinion, the “how-to” must take a back seat to the “why,” and good writing has less to do with technique and more to do with how the writer filters life experience to the page. In short, to understand Steven King’s writing process, you must understand his life. “Life experience” is the filter he uses to sift novels from casual observation.

In his book, King wrote, “Fear is at the foundation of everything bad.” It’s an interesting statement from a fellow who has made his living in the “horror” genre. But I believe he is right, simply to the extent his words bear witness to Biblical truth. Whenever Jesus, angels, Prophets, or the Lord show up in Scripture, their first words are usually, “Don’t fear!” Fear is mistrust, the opposite of faith. If the Lord is anything, He is holy and, as such, trustworthy.

The command to “fear the Lord” is often misunderstood. “Fearing the Lord” means to worship, honor, and respect His power and authority. Many folks falsely believe that “fearing God” means being terrified of Him. Perhaps, they should re-read John 3:16.

We are “war babies” in that we’ve all been born into spiritual warfare. It is all we’ve ever known. The world is not a playground, as much as it is a spiritual battleground, yet we are commanded not to be afraid.

If “fear” is mistrust or the absence of faith, then “trust” must be the presence of faith and hope in things unseen. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Be encouraged to continue with your daily Bible study. By fortifying your hearts with God’s promises and experiencing His faithfulness through His Word, you are preparing yourselves to enter the “battlefield” each day, fearless.

Experiencing life through the filter of Scripture is how we sift faithfulness from fear.

“If a malicious witness testifies against someone accusing him of a crime, the two people in the dispute must stand in the presence of the Lord before the priests and judges in authority at the time. The judges are to make a careful investigation, and if the witness turns out to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother, you must do to him as he intended to do to his brother. You must purge the evil from you.” Deuteronomy 19:16-19 (HCSB)

“The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false testimony against Jesus, so they could put Him to death. But they could not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward.” Matthew 26:59-60a (HCSB)

Anyone who approaches “the passion story” with an open mind understands the trial of Jesus was a sham. Perhaps, this passage in Deuteronomy helps us better understand just how much of a sham the trial of Jesus was and how much it offended the Lord.

The chief priests and Sanhedrin were more than lenient toward the false witnesses. They actually went as far as to seek out false witnesses. This is how distorted things got when Jesus came on the scene. Instead of stoning false witnesses, they were hiring them!

Is it any wonder why the people of Israel were crying out for the Lord to send Messiah around the time of Jesus’ advent? It is understandable why the people wouldn’t trust the Roman government or their pagan neighbors. But what happens when you can’t trust your own religious leaders to act on your behalf in a God-honoring way?

To be fair, there was more than one “false testimony” going-on on the evening of Jesus’ trial.

“Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest where the scribes and the elders had convened. Meanwhile, Peter was following Him at a distance, right to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and was sitting with the temple police to see the outcome.” Matthew 26: 57-58 (HCSB)

Peter’s actual testimony preceded the false testimony in the Sanhedrin. None of the testimonies of the Sanhedrin’s false witnesses are recorded in the Bible. But God chose to allow Peter’s testimony to be recorded three times.

Perhaps, today’s passage is a stern reminder of how God hates a false witness, especially from His children.

Question: When you’re around your non-believing friends, how bold and accurate is your testimony about Jesus?

“‘I will hold accountable whoever does not listen to My words that he [the prophet] speaks in My name. But the prophet who dares to speak in my name a message I have not commanded him to speak or who speaks in the name of other gods – that prophet must die.’ You may say to yourself, “How can we recognize a message the Lord has not spoken?” When a prophet speaks in the Lord’s name, and the message does not come true or is not fulfilled, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.” Deuteronomy 18:19-22 (HCSB)

There are two ways to test a prophet, primarily because there are two kinds of prophecies. First, there are prophecies, which predict the future; then there are those which claim the revelation of God’s Word. So, there are basically two ways to spot a false prophet: 1) His prophecies (predictions of the future) don’t come true. 2) His message for today is inconsistent with the Word of God.

The challenge of discerning prophecies concerning the future is that you have to wait & see. Sometimes, the wait is critically long. For instance, the followers of cult leaders like Jim Jones or David Koresh went to the grave following false prophets. Other followers of false prophets may not see a fatal demise, but they risk wasting valuable years chasing after false hope.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12

Satan cannot steal the soul of a true believer, but he can make them ineffective by getting them to hope in things the Lord never promised. When the object of their hope never arrives, the victim’s anger is focused on the Lord because they honestly believe the prophecy came from Him.

Perhaps, a more efficient way to spot a false prophet is not in testing the prophecy but in testing the prophet himself. Are the words they speak and the lives they live in accordance with God’s revealed Word and Jesus’ life example? Put simply: Does the overall character and words of the prophet correspond with the character and Word of God?

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father.” Matt 7: 21 (HCSB)

One of the by-products of reading the Bible every day is that we develop a heightened ability to spot counterfeits, not heed their instruction and warn others to stay away.

“At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. This is how to cancel a debt: Every creditor is to cancel what he has lent his neighbor. He is not to collect anything from his neighbor because the Lord’s release of debts has been proclaimed.” Deuteronomy 15:1-2 (HCSB)

“Be careful that there isn’t a wicked thought in your heart, ‘The seventh year, the year of canceling debts is near,’ and you are stingy towards the poor brother and give him nothing. He will cry out to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty.” Deuteronomy 15:9 (HCSB)

“For there will never cease to be poor people in the land; that is why I am commanding you, ‘You must willingly open your hand to the afflicted and poor brother in your land.’” Deuteronomy 15:11 (HCSB)

“If your fellow Hebrew, a man or woman, is sold to you as a slave and serves you six years, you must set him free in the seventh year. When you set him free, do not send him away empty-handed.” Deuteronomy 15:12-13a (HCSB)

I would like to invite you to reflect on today’s chapter through the lens of Jesus’ message to His home synagogue in Nazareth. He quoted the prophet Isaiah, who was prophesying what Messiah would proclaim when He came. It all refers to Deuteronomy 15.

“The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to Him, and unrolling the scroll, He found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’” Luke 4:17-19 (HCSB)

What is the good news that Jesus was proclaiming? In essence, He was asking, “Are you enslaved to this World? Are you afflicted, made lame by your sin? Are you poor in spirit, indebted to the Lord, and unable to pay it off your sin debt because of your lack of righteousness? If so, I have come to set you free!”

If you perceive He is describing YOU, then rejoice! He has proclaimed YOUR year of Jubilee, as well! It is imperative that we accept His offer of freedom now, during this season in which it is offered. Our “Yeshua” (Jesus’ Name in Hebrew, meaning: God’s Salvation) has come!! Receive His grace, His eternal atonement, while the season of canceling debts is here, before the time of reckoning, the great “Yom Kippur” (Day of Atonement), where sin is called to account, and those without atonement are cast out.