Today’s reading: Deut 15:1–17:20, 2 Cor 4:7–18, Ps 37:1–22

Today’s theme: Treasure in clay jars

We hold the most valuable treasure in the world, even though we are only clay jars, this treasure is God Himself manifested most clearly in the message of His gospel. There are lots of lessons in today’s reading about being a good vessel in God’s hands, to His glory.

Deuteronomy 15:1–17:20

The blessings of obedience

if only you will strictly obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all this commandment that I command you today. Deuteronomy 15:5 (ESV)

Notice that this great promise is conditionally based on obedience. We too are blessed when we obey the Lord.

Help the poor

For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’ Deuteronomy 15:11 (ESV)

God does not want us to ignore the poor, but to open our hearts in generosity and love towards them. This call to justice and care in the community is seen throughout God’s word. We must recognise our call as the body of Christ, to serve the poor and needy. See Galatians 2:10, Romans 15:26 and Mark 14:7

Slavery in the Bible

It shall not seem hard to you when you let him go free from you, for at half the cost of a hired worker he has served you six years. So the LORD your God will bless you in all that you do. Deuteronomy 15:18 (ESV)

When we read about slaves in the bible, we often mix it with the more contemporary slave trade of the 19th century, where countless families from Africa were stolen and sold into shameful, brutal shackled slavery throughout Europe, America and the West Indies. This is wrong. The slaves referred to here were paid for their work (or were paying off a debt) and had the opportunity to go free. This was like a cheaper form of labour and was crucial to Israelite society, this was the case for all cultures at that time in the ANE (Ancient Near East).

This is why slavery is not overturned in the New Testament, instead the relationship between workers (slaves) and masters (employers), is reformed. This was particularly radical in the Roman world where masters and servants would never be seen as peers. See Matthew 20:27, Romans 6:18, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:28 and Ephesians 6:5

Give with joyful generosity

Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God that he has given you. Deuteronomy 16:17 (ESV)

We should follow this principle in our giving to the Lord and should pursue a lifestyle of generosity and gratitude. The 10% in the tithe is just a basic guide pointing to us giving all. Let us not restrict ourselves to giving in a cold legalistic way, instead we should joyfully and willingly give generously, in genuine gratitude for all that God has blessed us with. Give whatever God has put on your heart to give, in faith and joy.

The law of the king

And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold. Deuteronomy 17:17 (ESV)

God gave direction for the kings of Israel long before the people asked for a king. None of the kings of Israel obeyed this command fully, as many had riches, multiple wives and did not write the book of the law. They were all surpassed by the true king, Jesus. See John 18:37, Revelation 1:5 and Revelation 22:16

2 Corinthians 4:7–18

Treasure in clay jars

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV)

The treasure is “the gospel of God’s glory revealed in Christ” as spoken of in the last verse. We carry this glorious and great message in quite unremarkable packaging. When we are saved we do not become superior to other humans, we are still made from dust, we are frail, weak, lowly, expendable, still having to face trials and are vulnerable like the common clay vessels.

These vessels are used as instruments in the Master’s hands, we humbly submit ourselves as vessels for the Masters use. We are like envelopes delivering the vital and important message of the Good News. The gospel is so glorious and life changing that those who receive it will know that it did not originate from us and that all the glory comes from and belongs to God.

The life cycle of the believer

always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. 2 Corinthians 4:10–12 (ESV)

The cycle of death and resurrection is vital in all of our lives as believers, we must walk in self-denial, humility and service, while undergoing persecution (all this represents death). While all of this is happening, the life of God by the Holy Spirit is manifested in us, because when we are weak God is strong.

Our dependence is on Him, our very life depends on Him. We are unified with Christ and He is our life source. In order for more fruit to come, the seasons must have their full cycle and we must abide in the vine in every season, this will bring more fruit and growth… the only way we can thrive in Christ is to die and rise in His power. As each one of us sacrifices our resources, time and energy, we bless others within the body also.

Encouraged by reward

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 2 Corinthians 4:17 (ESV)

The great reward God has in store for us should encourage and strengthen us through all struggles and suffering, Paul said the glory so outweighs the suffering, that they cannot even be compared.

Psalm 37:1–22

Delight in God

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (ESV)

We should find our pleasure in the Lord, we should enjoy God and find our greatest joy in God because He is our greatest treasure. When we take delight in the Lord, our life will find true fulfilment and the desires of our hearts will align with His and He will give to us abundantly, according to those desires. See John 15:11

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 2 Corinthians 4

Today’s reading: Deut 12:29–14:29, 2 Cor 4:1–6, Ps 36:1–12

Today’s theme: The light of the Gospel

We seek to preach the Gospel plainly so that the Holy Spirit can use the truth of the Gospel to open the eyes of those who have been blinded from the light of Christ. In His light we see the truth and are made free.

We do not want the pure light of the Gospel to be darkened by any underhanded ways, so we are committed to sharing it faithfully and guarding against anything that would distort or distract from it.

Deuteronomy 12:29–14:29

Murdering children

You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way, for every abominable thing that the LORD hates they have done for their gods, for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods. Deuteronomy 12:31 (ESV)

This still happens today through the wicked sin of abortion, where children are sacrificed on the alter of convenience, to the gods of comfort and choice.

Be on guard

you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 13:3 (ESV)

We need to be on our guard against any dream, vision, declaration, teaching or movement that goes against God’s word. Even if there are apparent supernatural results, these may simply be the Lord testing the covenant heart of His people to see if we love Him, or signs and wonders. This is picked up in the New Testament in Matthew 12:39, Galatians 1:8-9 and 1 John 4:1-6.

God’s treasured possessions

For you are a people holy to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 14:2 (ESV)

There is no doubt that Israel are God’s special chosen people, elected by God unlike any other nation. This is also true of the church, where those elected and chosen by God are saved. Those chosen by God should find confidence, increased faith and security in knowing that they have become God’s treasured possessions. See 1 Peter 2:9

2 Corinthians 4:1–6

Declare the truth plainly

But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 2 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV)

As Paul says, we do not need any gimmicks, tricks or cunning to declare the truth of the gospel. Instead we must declare the truth boldly and then leave it to the God given conscience of the hearers and the work of the Holy Spirit, to lead sinners to repentance.

Fight for the minds of men

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV)

Our fight is one for the minds of men. Christianity is not a religion that asks for the mind to be empty or discarded, but to be transformed, renewed, enlightened and fed.

We fight the devil’s schemes which he uses to keep the unbelieving from seeing the light of the Gospel and the glory of Jesus. The devil will fill the minds of unbelievers with lying Philosophies, theories and beliefs, which stand as strongholds against the truth.

The devil is not a real god but is the ultimate example of a false god, who was ultimately defeated at the cross and God will soon crush him under our feet. Romans 16:20

Psalm 36:1–12

The light of Jesus

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. Psalm 36:9 (ESV)

Jesus is both the fountain of life which gives life and the true light that gives light, as mentioned in John 1:9, 4:10-14 and 5:26. In the light given by God’s word, we see the truth.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 2 Corinthians 4

Today’s reading: Deut 11:1–12:28, 2 Cor 3:9–18, Ps 35:12–28

Today’s theme: God’s Permanent Covenant

Today we see a very important lesson regarding the special land that God had chosen for His people, it was a land that would cause the people to have to depend on God for growth and prosperity. We need to trust God for our own growth in the new, glorious and permanent covenant God has made with His people through His Son Jesus Christ.

Deuteronomy 11:1–12:28

Loving obedience

“You shall therefore love the LORD your God and keep his charge, his statutes, his rules, and his commandments always. Deuteronomy 11:1 (ESV)

Loving God has always been connected to obeying the Lord and following His commands. Jesus makes this same point about those who love Him, they will show the evidence of their love for Him by keeping His commands, in John 14:15, 21, 24.

Depend on God for growth

a land that the LORD your God cares for. The eyes of the LORD your God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. Deuteronomy 11:12 (ESV)

God has specially chosen the land of Israel, it is special to the Lord and He watches over it always.

This new land was not like Egypt with its man made irrigation systems, this was a land that received its rain from the heavens and so the people would have to depend on God for prosperity in the land. We too must depend on God for growth. See 1 Corinthians 3:7

Think about God’s word all the time

You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 11:19 (ESV)

It is so important that we are genuinely people of the Bible, we should be talking about God and His word all the time, thinking about it continuously  and naturally teaching it to our children. God and His word should have such a high place in our hearts, that our minds are occupied with Him all the time.

God’s covenantal blessings are conditional

“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: Deuteronomy 11:26 (ESV)

God’s blessings are conditional and relational, we are called to obey God’s commands for our own good.

God does not ask us to do good just for goodness sake, but that He might bless and reward us. God’s commands are in place to increase human flourishing and for the prosperity of His entire creation.

2 Corinthians 3:9–18

God’s Glorious, Permanent Covenant

For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory. 2 Corinthians 3:11 (ESV)

The old covenant was certainly glorious, it was inaugurated by God in the glory and terror of mount Siani. However, the glory typified in Moses’ shining face would eventually fade as he moved away from the presence of God and we see the fading of the effectiveness of the old covenant in the people of Israel, to the point that Jeremiah mentions that God will make a new covenant because the old has been broken (Jeremiah 31:32). The old covenant was a temporary covenant until the true full covenant came.

We give God thanks that we are beneficiaries of the new covenant, which unlike the old does not fade away, but is permanent and greater in Glory, as it is God’s final revelation for salvation and the ultimate covenant established and maintained by Jesus himself (Revelation 14:6 and Hebrews 13:20).

Pray that the veil is removed

But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 2 Corinthians 3:16 (ESV)

We should pray for the Jews that they will turn to the Lord,  so that the veil is removed and they will see that the entire bible points to Jesus.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 2 Corinthians 3

Today’s reading: Deut 9:1–10:22, 2 Cor 3:1–8, Ps 35:1–11

Today’s theme: The Spirit brings life

Today we see that Israel was given the land of Canaan by God’s grace, much like our salvation. We learn that we should circumcise our hearts and be confident that our sovereign God contends for us and dispatches Angels to aide us. The most important thing that underpins all of these is, the Holy Spirit who brings life to us as believers, through the new covenant.

Deuteronomy  9:1–10:22

##Not by our own righteousness

Not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart are you going in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations the LORD your God is driving them out from before you, and that he may confirm the word that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Deuteronomy 9:5 (ESV)

God reminds the people that it is not by their own righteousness that they are given the land. It is God who goes before them and He seeks to confirm His own word. It is the same for us, we are saved by God’s grace, not by our own righteousness. Ephesians 2:5, 8.

Circumcise your heart

Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn. Deuteronomy 10:16 (ESV)

God points to the true meaning of circumcision, it was a sign pointing to cutting unclean and evil things from our lives. We also need to have circumcised hearts, see Romans 2:29.

God, the just Sovereign

For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. Deuteronomy 10:17 (ESV)

God is the great and mighty sovereign. What is comforting is that in all His supreme power, He is not partial and cannot be bribed. As we see in the next verse, God’s love extends to all people.

2 Corinthians 3:1–8

The Holy Spirit brings life

Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:5–6 (ESV)

We thank God for the new covenant we have in Jesus. The new covenant is better than the old one because we have the power of the Holy Spirit living inside us, to enable us in our walk with God.

‘The letter kills but the Spirit gives life’ should not be seen as the written Bible vs the Holy Spirit, in context, this is looking at the old covenant vs the new better covenant. God’s perfect law can only be kept through the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 35:1–11

Jesus contends for us

Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! Psalm 35:1 (ESV)

As 1 John 2:1 states, we have an advocate (Jesus) who can contend for us against the enemy.

Warrior Angels!

Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away! Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them! Psalm 35:5–6 (ESV)

We can pray in the same way, that God’s Angels will go into battle on our behalf.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 2 Corinthians 3

Today’s reading: Deut 7:1–8:20, 2 Cor 2:12–17, Ps 34:1–22

Today’s theme: The triumph of God

Today is Resurrection Sunday, the day when Christians all over the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Today’s theme is in line with the victory of the resurrection because we see God’s triumphant victory over us and for us. In light of this, we boast in the Lord and serve Him with joy.

Deuteronomy 7:1–8:20

Have no mercy on sin

and when the LORD your God gives them over to you, and you defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. You shall make no covenant with them and show no mercy to them. Deuteronomy 7:2 (ESV)

God told His children to have no compromise or mercy when fighting the enemy, in fact, God called for their complete destruction. We must apply this total destruction approach to our great spiritual enemy, sin. Romans 8:13 reminds us to put to death the evil deeds of the flesh, by the Spirit of God.

We need to have no compromise when dealing with sin in our lives. We should not have pity or mercy on sin or sinfulness, we need to exact God’s judgement on sin through the Holy Spirit.

God’s loving election

but it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Deuteronomy 7:8 (ESV)

We do not fully know God’s mind in His choices and election, but some light is shed on God’s motivation for choosing Israel specially from all nations and establishing His covenant with them. It is because He loves them. In the same way, God has specially elected and chosen everyone who will be saved.

He doesn’t choose us because we are good or better than others, but because He loves us. God loves everyone but He has a particular, special, peculiar and electing love for His chosen people, Israel and the Church. It is like the special love that a man has for his wife as opposed to his love for others. see Romans 11:5 and Ephesians 1:4.

The victory of the cross

you shall not be afraid of them but you shall remember what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt, Deuteronomy 7:18 (ESV)

In our case, we should remember God’s victory on the cross over sin, the world and the devil. see John 12:31.

Keep your house clean

And you shall not bring an abominable thing into your house and become devoted to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest and abhor it, for it is devoted to destruction. Deuteronomy 7:26 (ESV)

This is still a very valid point for us today, we must be careful when picking up artefacts while on holiday for example, or when receiving certain gifts. If they are cursed items, they can carry demonic curses which can have a real effect in our homes. We need to ask for God’s guidance so that we don’t find ourselves hindered in our walk with the Lord. See Acts 19:19

This also has spiritual implications in terms of compromise.

Look back and be humble

And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. Deuteronomy 8:2 (ESV)

When we think back to how God carried us through difficult times, it should cause us to be humble and dependant on Him in our present circumstance. If these recollections bring pride or bitterness to mind, then our hearts are not in the right place. We are called to walk in humility. See Philippians 4:11, James 1:3, 1 Peter 5:6 and Romans 8:28.

2 Corinthians 2:12–17

God, the conquering King

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 2 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV)

To help us understand Paul’s point here, it is useful to understand what it meant to be led forth in triumph in the Roman world. This is a term meaning that conquered captives would be led forth with a victorious general as he marched in a victory procession. Paul sees himself as a prisoner of Jesus Christ and as one conquered by God, being led forth in God’s victory procession before all.

The victory is not Paul’s but God’s, because God is shown as strong in our weakness and humble service. We should see ourselves as willing and privileged captives, we are God’s trophies and although we were once enemies, we have been led away to serve and bring glory to our conquering King. Our service for the Lord demonstrates His victory in our lives.

Psalm 34:1–22

Always bless the Lord

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1 (ESV)

This can become like a cliche but it is so important to continually  praise the Lord, no matter what we are or are not going through, this encouragement continues in the New Testament too, in places like Thessalonians 5:18, Romans 8:28 (again) and verse 37.

Boast in the Lord

My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Psalm 34:2 (ESV)

Our boast is in the Lord, we rejoice in His triumph (as we read in the New Testament today). If we walk in true humility, we rejoice in and boast for others, especially God. See 2 Corinthians 11:30-33.

Surrounded by Angels

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Psalm 34:7 (ESV)

It is encouraging to remind ourselves that God’s Angels work on our behalf, as mentioned in Hebrews 1:14.

Prophecy of the Messiah

He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. Psalm 34:20 (ESV)

This is a prophecy of the Messiah fulfilled by Jesus, as mentioned in John 19:36.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 2 Corinthians 2