Nathan Whitley's Blog, page 21
March 3, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Deuteronomy 14-16
A Hebrew man could sell himself as a slave to pay any debt (Ex. 21:1-6; Lev. 25:39-45; Deut. 15:12-18). This type of voluntary slavery shouldn’t be confused with forced slavery, or the slavery of the Antebellum period. Moses said that such slaves were to be released after six years of service. In order for the newly freed slave to start a new life, the master was to give them ample provision.
In some cases a slave may feel happy to stay with his master indefinitely, and decide not to leave....
March 2, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Deuteronomy 11-13
The Lord had given specific instructions concerning Israel’s worship. For instance, the Tabernacle was the ordained place of worship (Deut. 12:5;18). Upon entering the Promised Land, Israel wasn’t to forsake God’s instructions and adopt the Canaanite’s way of worship. Therefore, the Lord told them to tear down the Canaanite’s altars, pillars, and idols (Deut. 12:3).
Furthermore, the central location of the Tabernacle fostered unity and gave focus to the religious life of Israel. Strange...
March 1, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Deuteronomy 7-10
Why did the Lord choose Israel? You might have asked that question a few times since we read of their departure from Egypt. Today’s reading gives us the answer to this question.
God didn’t choose Israel because they had the biggest population (Deut. 7:7). They were larger nations that had been around a lot longer too. Neither did Israel have their own land to dwell. Since Abraham they had only be sojourners in other people’s territory.
It wasn’t because of Israel’s righteousness or the...
February 29, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Deuteronomy 4-6
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord” (Deut. 6:4). This command is the orthodox Jew’s confession of faith. Israel was to confess there was only one God, and they were to pledge their lives only to Him (Deut. 6:5). Israel wasn’t to make any graven images to worship (Deut. 4:15-20). Israel’s singular devotion was to be for God alone, not to something that they had created. When they stood at the foot of Mt. Sinai, they didn’t see any image of God, rather they only heard His voice, and...
February 28, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Deuteronomy 1-3
The book of Deuteronomy is the fifth and final book of the Pentateuch. The original name given to this book was “These are the words” which was taken from the first verse (Deut. 1:1). The name Deuteronomy is made up of two Greek words “deuteros” and “nomos” mean “Second Law” when put together. The reasoning behind the name Deuteronomy is due to Moses repeating the Law to the new generation as they approached the Promised Land.
The generation that was brought out of Egypt was dead. The new...
February 27, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Numbers 35-36
The Levites weren’t allowed to own any land in Canaan, because the Lord was their portion (Deut. 10:9). For this reason Israel was to designate specific cities for the Levites to live in (Num. 35:1-5). Those six cities were assigned to be “cities of refuge.” If an Israelite or stranger unintentionally killed a person, then the “manslayer” could flee to the nearest city of refuge. The manslayer would be safe if the victim’s family wanted to exact revenge. The manslayer would stand trial before...
February 25, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Numbers 33-34
Taking possession of the Promised Land wasn’t going to be easy for Israel. They were going to have to drive out all the inhabitants of the land (Ex. 23:20-33). Not only were they to drive the inhabitants out, they would also need to destroy any semblance of the people’s religions and lifestyles. The Lord said, “destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places” (Num. 33:52). Israel had shown a fondness for the Egyptian way of life, and...
February 24, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Numbers 31-32
Between the conquest of Sihon and Og (Num. 21:21-35) and crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and a portion of Manasseh requested to stay in the land east of the Jordan. The land was suitable for pasturing large herds and and flocks (Num. 32:1).
Moses wasn’t pleased with their request. Moses asked, “Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here?” Moses feared the Lord would be angered at their request to not cross over the Jordan River (Num....
February 23, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Numbers 28-30
Now that the previous generation had died, it was time to start instructing the new generation. The Lord, through Moses, began to teach the new generation concerning the daily, monthly, and yearly offerings (Num. 28-29). The Hebrew calendar centered around the worship of Jehovah. A new generation needed a new commitment, and it was going to begin with a reminder of God’s preferred methods of worship.
These offerings had already been given and outlined at Mt. Sinai. Yes, the new generation...
February 22, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Numbers 26-27
The generation of Hebrews that escaped Egypt died in the wilderness, never to possess what they left for. They left behind a legacy of murmuring, complaining, and unbelief. If their children were to visit their graves, they’d have to go back to the wilderness to pay their respects. On their graves it would be written, “Lost in the wilderness” (Num. 26:65). The wilderness claimed an entire generation. They were a generation of unclaimed promises and possessions. All of the miracles, all of the...
