Thoughts on the readings for May 14th (Deuteronomy 31, Isaiah 3, 4, Colossians 1)

Deuteronomy 31 speaks of elevation to leadership as the successor of Moses, Israel's obligation to gather together every 7 years for the reading and explaining of the Law and in the last verse the introduction to the Song of Moses spoken of in chapter 32. Verses 1-8 tell of Moses' gathering of Israel to hear of Joshua's appointment as Moses' replacement. Moses rehearses Yahweh's mighty deeds on behalf of His people in the recent victories over the kingdoms of the giants - Sihon and Og. The great prophet encourages Joshua with the words of verses 7-8. Slowly read aloud these verses and ponder their message for you. As with all Scripture the words are divinely inspired - the LORD put the message in Moses' mouth. Notice how in verses 5-8 of Joshua 1 the message is reinforced by God, no doubt through His angel, directly to Joshua with added counsel and comfort. That the message is intended for us is picked up by the writer to the Hebrews in chapter 13 verses 5-7. From verses 9-13 we have the reading of the Law in the ears of Joshua and the entire nation. Most likely the book of Deuteronomy and hence the responsibility of Joshua to listen to it daily and keep its commandments - this was emphasised to Joshua by the angel in Joshua chapter 1. From verses 14-29 we have Joshua being appointed to the great task of guiding the people of the LORD in the Almighty's ways. This section also tells us that Moses, God's faithful servant, is to lie down in sleep until the angel rouses him at the time of his resurrection. Moses had throughout the last 80 years of his life been a servant who was true until the end. Notice that the words of the Song of Moses recorded in Deuteronomy 32 are to "a witness against the children of Israel" 31:19. Israel would not be faithful to the covenant that the Almighty is making with them at this time. And so, sadly, the curses for disobedience are to be brought upon the nation. Deuteronomy 31:23 again encourages Joshua to take courage for he would surely find the task challenging, as it had been for Moses. The words of the covenant are, verse 26, to be placed beside the ark of the covenant. Moses calls upon the elders and the common people alike - the heavens and the earth - to testify to the responsibilities of the covenant. Verse 30 tells of the writing of these words which are told us in chapter 32. Isaiah 3 contains a list of several of Israel's failures to follow in the ways of their God and these were some of the causes of the coming judgment that chapter 2 outlines. Verses 1-5 speak of the LORD's outpouring of His judgments through famine and war upon guilty Judah causing a great diminishing of their numbers. Verse 4 tells us that the nation sought not the wisdom of their Maker but are tolerating children to guide the nation's decisions. Verses 6-8 continue the idea that any person of substance, no matter how inexperienced they are, are elevated to rulership. The nation shows no shame, but are as brazen in their sin as Sodom and Gomorrah. - as verses 9 speaks. The righteous are reassured in verse 10. Verse 11 contrasts this with a woe upon the ways of the wicked. Verse 12 once more tells that their children are the nation's oppressors. Verses 13-15 are indicted for their oppression of Judah by her inexperienced rulers. Verses 17-26 tell us that the women of the nation sought from their husbands a life of unbridled luxury. And for that the LORD of hosts would bring severe judgments on them. The words describe the beautiful accessories that the wives and young ladies were using to enhance themselves. After suffering the deprivations of war they will lament their former extravagance in their widowhood. "The Ministry of the Prophets" by Robert Roberts comments on page 66: 'If these things had not been used as causes and instruments of pride, they would not have been so objectionable in the divine eyes". Their "dressiness" was a symbol of their rebellious mood. Chapter 4 begins with the decimation of the nation to the extent that there will be seven women for every man. These women would seek the protection and provision that the man would be able to give. Symbolically this may represent the care and protection that can be found in our Lord Jesus Christ. These women will, as many of us have done, take that name upon themselves. The Lord Jesus is the branch of Yahweh here and in Zechariah 4 verse 8, also in Isaiah 53. That man, the Messiah will be glorious. Verse 3 tells us that the remaining inhabitants of Jerusalem will be enrolled for life as Psalm 87 reveals. And the daughters of Zion will be cleansed from their filth as Zechariah 13 speaks. Yahweh's great house of prayer for all nations with be built in Jerusalem to bring cleansing, protection and peace to the world. Paul sent the letter to the Colossians in about 62 AD. He never personally visited the region where there were two groups of believers - one in Colossae and the other in Laodicea. The one letter was read by both at this time and about 34 years time when another letter was sent in 96 AD by the Lord Jesus Christ. The area was exceptionally fertile and lay in a very rich valley. The epistle commenced with the greeting "Grace ('charis' the Greek greeting) and peace ('shalom' the Jewish greeting) coming to the believers from God our Father. This is followed by thanksgiving and prayer for their faithfulness in the gospel; as reported to the Apostle from Epaphras. The believers were increasing in knowledge and love. But the greatest of all thanks was to be expressed to God, our Father, who had "qualified us to share the inheritance of the saints in light ... and has transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son" (verses 12-13 ESV). Then from verses 14-23 Paul tells us of the preeminence of the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Father. Our Lord Jesus is the beginning (Gk 'archegos') and head of God's new creation and is the firstborn (Jesus firstborn by birth, death and resurrection) of that creation; the firstborn from the dead to be raised to eternal life. Verses 24-29 tell of Paul's suffering for all Gentile believers, that he might share and participate in the sufferings of Christ (as part of his body, which we,the ecclesia are). In verse 27 we have the key verse and theme of the book, "Christ in you (ie each of us) the hope of glory". Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org See more Thoughts from the Christadelphian Dialy Bible Reading Planner (By R.Roberts) here... https://christadelphianvideo.org/thoughts-on-the-readings-for-may-14th-deuteronomy-31-isaiah-3-4-colossians-1/?feed_id=92028&_unique_id=6822ee3a3c22b