Cover to Cover

Reading: Deuteronomy 24:1-27:26

Focus: Deuteronomy 26:16-19

The people of Israel have an interesting story. Starting with God’s calling of Abraham, continuing through Isaac, Jacob, and the 12 sons of Jacob—the namesakes of the 12 tribes of Israel. Through Joseph, the family of Jacob (Israel) was preserved in the prosperity of Egypt and the family grew into a large tribe of people. In time, they were subjected to slavery as a new power rose in Egypt unaware of all that Joseph had done. In their oppression they called out and God heard their cry and the time had come to bring His people out into the fullness of His plans for them.

Through Moses and Aaron, God brought the people out of Egypt so that He would have a people for Himself to fulfil His purposes in the world. As He prepared this people to become a nation, He instituted decrees, commands and laws so that these people might be set apart from the nations around them. As His “treasured possession” He would make them great as they were a people of His own.

God’s purpose for His people was simple—that they might be a blessing to all the nations. In His call to Abraham, God made it clear that He would make Abraham a great nation so that through them He might bless the world. In time, that blessing would come in the form of Israel’s greatest prince, Israel’s greatest prophet, Israel’s most humble servant… Jesus, son of Joseph and Mary, descendent of King David, of the tribe of Judah, fourth son of Jacob (Israel), son of Isaac, son of Abraham. God called for Himself a people, so that He might prepare the way for the greatest change this world has ever known, even to this day—Jesus Christ. He who gave up His life as a random for many that they might enter into the house of God and be called sons and daughters… such was God’s plan and purpose worked through the people of Israel, a people God called His own.

Next Reading: Deuteronomy 28:1-29:29