RPG Adults
THE CONSEQUENCES REMAIN AS SCARS
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6
Deuteronomy 28:56-60
2 Timothy 2:21-26
“…that they may recover themselves
out of the snare of the devil, who
are taken captive by him at his will.”
THE CONSEQUENCES REMAIN AS SCARS
The lengthy detail of all the calamities that would befall Israel predicts a devastation that would not easily disappear. They would remain as scars in the nation. These calamities, as consequences of Israel’s waywardness, disadvantaged them before their enemies.
Since they refused to serve God, they would be forced to serve foreign masters. The enemies that God would send against them would be swift in their attack and unmerciful. Their farming activities would cease and the nation destroyed for they would have no food. This would turn them into cannibals, eating even their own children. Note the description of this sad picture: “And toward her young one that cometh out from between her feet, and toward her children which she shall bear: for she shall eat them for want of all things secretly in the siege and straitness, wherewith thine enemy shall distress thee in thy gates” (Deut 28:57). This would be a heart-breaking situation, all because they refused to follow the Lord. The rejection of the Lord their God would bring more curses. Plagues and sickness would befall and destroy them. Their number would decrease, and they would be plucked out of the Promised Land and scattered in foreign lands, with no peace and always living in fear. They would return to slavery. The Lord mentioned this because it was still fresh in their minds. Moses took time to describe all these calamities to put across a strong warning to Israel to obey and follow the Lord.
Moses sounded the warning that if they disobeyed all the words that were written in the book of law, their sufferings would be prolonged. Even the very plagues of Egypt would now be upon them. Moses employed this language in admonishing Israel because he knew first-hand how easily they could be turned away from following the Lord. The sin of the world today follows the same pattern and we are admonished to flee from all appearance of evil.
THOUGHT: “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it and is safe” (Prov 18:10).
PRAYER: Father, may I find refuge in Thy precepts.