March 12, 2025 -Memories

DEUTERONOMY 1:1-3:20

Chronological Bible Readings

Deuteronomy 1:37 Because of you the Lord became angry with me also and said, “You shall not enter it, either.

Moses is reviewing the history of their wandering. Do you think Moses is a little salty about not making it into the promised land? He wants to blame someone other than himself and instead of blaming God he blames the grumblers who made him mad. The reality is that in his anger he sinned and disobeyed God and that is why he will not enter it either. He did not obey God who said speak to the rock, instead he allowed his anger to get the best of him he struck the rock not once but twice. And before this he and Aaron said to the people “Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” It wasn't them bringing the water from the rock, it was God! I bet that just like us his memory of this event is colored by his emotions. He could remember the people's sin and how it made him and of course God angry. We also have a tendency to remember the mistakes and wrongs of others but can forget about how we may have wronged someone or the mistakes that we have made.

Denise sent me her morning devotional this morning. It is about not taking sin lightly. I asked her if she was trying to tell me something lol. But as I write this I am reminded of it so I thought I would share it.

Morning and Evening : March 11

Deuteronomy 2:4 Give the people these orders: ‘You are about to pass through the territory of your relatives the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. They will be afraid of you, but be very careful. 5 Do not provoke them to war, for I will not give you any of their land, not even enough to put your foot on. I have given Esau the hill country of Seir as his own. 6 You are to pay them in silver for the food you eat and the water you drink.’”

Last night at "The Table" we studied the story of Jacob and Esau and the question came up as to what peoples came from Esau and where they settled. Because when Rachel was pregnant...

Genesis 23 The Lord said to her,

“Two nations are within you;

You will give birth to two rival peoples.

One will be stronger than the other;

The older will serve the younger.”

And the nation of Esau who was also called Edom is the Edomites. We were curious as to where they lived. Today we see that their land was in the hill country of Seir. I love that even though Esau was not part of the covenant line God still protects the land that is theirs.