Deuteronomy 6-9; Luke 7
Today, we have many invaluable truths to highlight. Let's touch on a few of them.
"The Great Shema" (Deuteronomy 6:4) is the primary commandment of Israel. Its essence is the affirmation of the uniqueness and exclusivity of God. Several important conclusions can be drawn from it:
- The exclusivity of God implies a wholehearted love for Him from people (Deuteronomy 6:5).
- Love for God is necessarily expressed in a heartfelt and serious attitude towards His Word (Deuteronomy 6:6).
- All this makes it possible and obligatory to influence the next generation (Deuteronomy 6:7-9, 20-25).
Deuteronomy 7:6-8 The only reason for God's choosing of Israel as a special people was not in Israel, but in God, in His broad and loving heart.
Deuteronomy 8 addresses the problems of prosperity: "When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God ... Be careful that you do not forget the Lord, your God ..." (Deuteronomy 8:10-11). "... be careful that your heart does not become proud ..." (Deuteronomy 8:14). "But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth ..." (Deuteronomy 8:18).
Luke 7
John the Baptist sends his disciples to Jesus with a question (Luke 7:19-20) because he, like Jesus' disciples, did not fully understand the whole picture of the Messiah's coming. Like many others, he most likely expected an immediate restoration of the throne of David and the kingdom of Israel, overlooking Golgotha and many centuries of building the Church (this was not seen by other prophets of the Old Testament as well). Jesus answers him, quoting Scripture, speaking of the coming of the Messiah: "... the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed ..." (Luke 7:22). This is exactly what Christ was doing, proving that He is the Messiah.
"The Great Shema" (Deuteronomy 6:4) is the primary commandment of Israel. Its essence is the affirmation of the uniqueness and exclusivity of God. Several important conclusions can be drawn from it:
- The exclusivity of God implies a wholehearted love for Him from people (Deuteronomy 6:5).
- Love for God is necessarily expressed in a heartfelt and serious attitude towards His Word (Deuteronomy 6:6).
- All this makes it possible and obligatory to influence the next generation (Deuteronomy 6:7-9, 20-25).
Deuteronomy 7:6-8 The only reason for God's choosing of Israel as a special people was not in Israel, but in God, in His broad and loving heart.
Deuteronomy 8 addresses the problems of prosperity: "When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God ... Be careful that you do not forget the Lord, your God ..." (Deuteronomy 8:10-11). "... be careful that your heart does not become proud ..." (Deuteronomy 8:14). "But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth ..." (Deuteronomy 8:18).
Luke 7
John the Baptist sends his disciples to Jesus with a question (Luke 7:19-20) because he, like Jesus' disciples, did not fully understand the whole picture of the Messiah's coming. Like many others, he most likely expected an immediate restoration of the throne of David and the kingdom of Israel, overlooking Golgotha and many centuries of building the Church (this was not seen by other prophets of the Old Testament as well). Jesus answers him, quoting Scripture, speaking of the coming of the Messiah: "... the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed ..." (Luke 7:22). This is exactly what Christ was doing, proving that He is the Messiah.