Today’s Reading:
Deuteronomy 27: 1-10
"Then Moses and the priests, spoke to all Israel, saying, ‘Take heed and listen, O Israel: This day you have become the people of the Lord your God.” (v. 9)
In Today’s reading in v9, Moses, Aaron and the priests proclaimed to the children of Israel that on that day, they had become “the people of the Lord their God”. This incident was just before the Israelites crossed the Jordan river to the Promised Land in Canaan. Biblical history has it that the Israelites who are the descendants of Abraham and direct children of Jacob (later called Israel by God with whom he had wrestled), were chosen by God as a nation. This has been documented in Deut. 7:6, Ps 105:6, 43, as part of God’s fulfilment of his covenant with Abraham that He would make him a great nation, following his obedience to God (Gen. 12:1-3, 22:16-18). Also, God chose Israel so that through it the Saviour of mankind, Jesus Christ, came into the world, to accomplish the plan of redemption (salvation) of mankind, after the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Gen.3:1-24; 14-15). Furthermore, God chose Israel to interact with the people in such a way that his character and nature would be depicted to the rest of mankind e.g. his faithfulness, love, promise-keeping (Ex 19:5-6), etc.
To accomplish all these, God decided to take Israel from Egypt where they had multiplied greatly and were enslaved, to a “Promise Land” in the Land of Canaan. On their way to Canaan was when the proclamation of their becoming the people of their Lord occurred. Even though God had already accepted the Israelites as his chosen people and called them his people, He still required some critical things from them, which were spiritual. It is said in our Today’s reading in v10 that they were to obey the voice of the Lord their God, and observe his commandments and his statutes which He commanded that today, through Moses. They were expected to reciprocate the love of God for them through obedience to him in the land he had promised them, that was flowing with milk and honey literarily. Also of significance was that when they crossed over the Jordan, to the land, they were to take for themselves large stones, which they were to white wash with lime, then write on them the words of the law (the commandments He had given them). They were to set the stones up on Mount Ebal, where they were to build an altar of whole stones to the Lord. In order to make the altar sacred, they were not to use an iron tool on them. They were to offer burnt and peace offerings on the altar. Then they were to eat there and rejoice before the Lord their God.
It is pertinent to correlate this ancient story with the current dispensation. As Israel was chosen then, today, believers who are people who have and are still believing and accepting Jesus, the Son of God, who has fulfilled the redemption (reconciliation), plan of God, have also become a chosen generation. It is recorded in 1 Peter 2:5 that, as believers whom Peter was exhorting, we are living stones, being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. It further confirms in 1 Peter 2:9-10 that believers are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that we may proclaim the praises of him who called us out of darkness into the marvellous light; we, who were not a people (unbelievers), but are now the people of God. The benefits that accrued to the Israelites of old as the people of the Lord included; being special, untouchable, delivered, protected, loved, forgiven sins over and over, living in a prosperous land, being led by God and fulfilment of prophesies and promises of God, even till date.
As the chosen generation of this dispensation, the benefits enjoyed by believers include: salvation; gift of the Holy Spirit to lead, teach, guide, comfort, etc; peace that passes all understanding, joy, protection, provision, blessings and eternal life and abode with God and Christ at the end of our journey here on earth. Overall, it is worth becoming a believer, just simply by believing, accepting and confessing Jesus as Lord and Saviour and then be saved and qualify to be a chosen generation.
CHRISTIE KUPOLUYI
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Father in heaven, we thank you for the gift of your son sent to reconcile us with you.
Precious Lord, we appreciate your sacrifice and gift of salvation.
As believers, we appreciate the Trinity for making us and gifting us as a chosen generation.
Father, please stir up the church to bring people to the fold of Christ.
Father, through the believers, choose our nation for yourself and glory.
Comments