9.00am and 10.30am Sunday 27 June 2004
Rev Des Botting
Readings: Deuteronomy 4:1-14; 32-40; Ephesians 6:1-4
Many of you will have read the article in yesterdays New Zealand Herald on Cardinal Tom Williams essay The Spiritual Bankruptcy of Liberalism. He says that the country is becoming a moral wasteland because of the liberal policies of recent governments. In his essay he attacks a string of policy changes including the Civil Union Bill and the prostitution law reform, and likened modern politicians to barbarians. He said, The perennial work of barbarians is to tear down existing standards, and to debase ideals that have come to characterize a society built on sound moral principles. The modern barbarian may be soberly suited and stylishly presented, their weapon the skilful use of spin doctors to dupe the unwary, the unsuspecting and the ill-informed. Theyre deliberately promoting a relativism and permissiveness that reduces morality to purely subjective preference. Traditional values and beliefs are being systematically subverted.
When I read this in the light of what Kelvin preached about last Sunday and what weve just read from Deuteronomy this morning, New Zealand is fast unlearning the secret, or the key, of what it takes to be a successful nation.
Kelvins subject last Sunday was How to Resist Evil. In his message he shared how the devil always paints God in the worst possible light, and tries to turn us against God so that well distrust him. Because the devils a liar, he deceives us into thinking that God is a killjoy and a spoilsport when he says were not to do certain things. He tricks us, as he did Adam and Eve, into thinking that if we ignore Gods laws we wont come to any harm. Like whats happening in New Zealand today, its all made to sound so very plausible and reasonable. Whats wrong with a permissive society and a morality based on subjective preference? People ask. Its wrong because it promotes a culture of individualism and self-seeking that runs counter to all that God says is essential to a healthy and wholesome society.
The devil always markets his wares well. Thats what makes them so tempting. But he never tells the full story otherwise wed never fall for it. The pleasure sinful living brings is always short-lived and creates an insatiable desire for more. Thats the sting in the tail with what the devil offers. His ultimate objective is to get us under his control. The tragedy is that so many fall for his tricks. When we look at objectively were fools to listen to his lies.
Theres always very good reason why God prohibits certain things. God is infinitely wise and loving. We can trust him completely. He knows whats best for us. The boundaries he sets always have our best interests at heart. What he offers is lasting treasure and true freedom. As Kelvin said, theres only one letter difference between God and good, and the devil and evil. It is of the essence of Gods character to do good, and the devil cannot help but do evil continually because hes rotten to the core.
Moses instructions to Israel are just as relevant to New Zealand today as they were when he first spoke them to Israel as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. In chapters 4-6 of Deuteronomy, in fact throughout the whole of this book, God is instructing his people through Moses on how they can be successful as a nation, how things can go well for them and their children, how they can know Gods blessing in their lives. God is giving them, plain and simple, the secret of success. Listen again to what he says: Remember that the Lord is the only true God, whether in the sky above or on the earth below. Today I am explaining his laws and teachings. And if you always obey them, you and your descendants will live long and be successful in the land the Lord is giving you.[1]
In chapter 5 he says much the same. God says: I wish they (Israel) would always worship me with fear and trembling and be this willing to obey me! Then they and their children would always enjoy a successful life.[2]
Again, at the beginning of Chapter 6 Moses says, Pay attention, Israel! Our ancestors worshipped the Lord, and he promised to give us this land thats rich with milk and honey. Be careful to obey him, and you will become a successful and powerful nation.[3]
And at the end of that chapter he says, Some day your children will ask, Why did the Lord give us these laws and teachings? Then you will answer, We were slaves of the king of Egypt, but the Lord rescued us so he could bring us into this land, as he had promised our ancestors. Thats why the Lord our God demands that we obey his laws and worship him with fear and trembling. And if we do, he will protect us and help us to be successful.[4]
Notice the two themes that are common to these verses.
1. The secret to success lies in obeying Gods laws and worshipping him. Listen again to some of the statements in Deuteronomy 4 about God and his laws that make us want to be obedient to him. Moses said, No other nation has laws that are as fair as the ones the Lord my God told me to give you. If you faithfully obey them when you enter the land, you will show other nations how wise you are. In fact, everyone that hears about your laws will say, That great nation certainly is wise! And what makes us greater than other nations? We have a God who is close to us and answers our prayers.[5] Because God is loving and just, his laws reflect his nature. Obeying them makes us wise. Its the sensible thing to do. Furthermore, because God loves us, hes always close to us. Hell never leave or forsake us, and he answers every prayer. And what Moses says later in this chapter about how he brought them out of Egypt and how he spoke to them at Mt Sinai further highlights the greatness of the God we are to obey and worship. He says, Has anything like this ever happened since the time God created humans? No matter where you go or who you ask, you will get the same answer. No one has ever heard of another god even trying to do such things as the Lord your God has done for you.[6] God is so good! This is why the greatest commandment of all is to love God with all our heart, soul and strength.[7] When we love God like this we show it in our obedience to him. Obedience is the proof of our love. As Jesus said to his disciples, If you love me, you will do as I command.[8]
A statement that challenged me as I prepared through the week was this: God has lots of servants, but not many friends. How would you describe your relationship with God? It made me stop and ask myself that question. Do I see myself as his servant or friend? Why do I serve him? Do I serve him because I love him and long for a closer walk with him, or am I serving him because of the blessings he gives. Whats the difference between being a servant of God and a friend of God?
There are only two people in the Bible described as friends of God. One was Abraham. He pleased God because of his faith. He was even willing to sacrifice Isaac, the only son he and Sarah had, because he trusted God and obeyed him. The book of James says, This is what the Scriptures mean by saying, Abraham had faith in God, and God was pleased with him. Thats how Abraham became Gods friend.[9] God was testing Abraham at that time to see if there was anything in his life that he loved more than God. Did God have first place in his life? Thats always the issue.
Here in Deuteronomy God is saying he must have first place in his peoples lives. His command is that we love him with all our heart, soul and strength. We show that by being keeping his commands, by being obedient to him. Seventeen times in chapters 4-6 of Deuteronomy Gods people are encouraged to obey him.
Moses is the other Old Testament person called a friend of God. The Bible tells us the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, just like a friend.[10] God said of Moses when Aaron and Miriam complained about his marriage to Zipporah, I, the Lord speak to prophets in visions and dreams. But my servant Moses is the leader of my people. He sees me face to face.[11]
Does Jesus see us as servants or friends? Listen to what he said to his disciples: you are my friends if you obey me. Servants dont know what their master is doing, and so I dont speak to you as my servants. I speak to you as my friends, and I have told you everything that my Father has told me.[12] It makes a world of difference how we see our relationship with God. What Proverbs says of friends is equally true of God as well. Proverbs tells us A friend loves at all times[13] and that Well meant are the wounds a friend inflicts.[14]
2. The blessings of obedience will not only benefit ourselves, but also our children. Moses said, Dont bow down and worship idols. I am the Lord your God, and I demand all your love.. If you reject me and worship idols, I will punish your families for three or four generations. But if you love me and obey my laws, I will be kind to your families for thousands of generations.[15] Children suffer when parents sin. This is why Moses said, You must be very careful not to forget the things you have seen God do for you. Keep reminding yourselves, and tell your children and grandchildren as well.[16] Here are very clear responsibilities laid upon parents to keep alive the memory of all God have done for us, especially in Christ. Then in the next verse Moses goes on to say, Do you remember the day you stood in the Lords presence at Mount Sinai? The Lord said, Moses, bring the people of Israel here. I want to speak to them so they will obey me as long as they live, and so they will teach their children to obey me too.[17]
Gods word spells out clearly the responsibilities of parents in this regard. We are to
a. Instruct. Deuteronomy says, Memorise his laws and tell them to your children over and over again. Talk about them all the time, whether you are at home or walking along the road or going to bed at night or getting up in the morning.[18]
b. Train. Proverbs says, Train children in the right way, and when old they will not stray.[19]
c. Provide. Children arent supposed to save up for their parents, but parents are supposed to take care of their children.[20]
d. Nurture. Parents, dont be hard on your children. Raise them properly. Teach them and instruct them about the Lord.[21]
e. Discipline. they must see that their children are obedient and always respectful.[22]
f. Love. so the younger women will be loving mothers.[23]
Moses said to the people of Israel to listen carefully (Dt 5:2). This is so important and cannot be stressed too much, because its not only our own well-being thats at stake, but that of our children, too.
This old poem by Charlene Fuller puts it well.
Twas a sheep, not a lamb, that strayed away
in the parable Jesus told;
a grown-up sheep that had gone astray
from the ninety and nine in the fold.
Out on the hillside, out in the cold,
twas a sheep the Good Shepherd sought;
and back to the flock, safe into the fold,
twas a sheep the Good Shepherd brought.
And why for the sheep should we earnestly long,
and as fervently hope and pray?
Because there is danger, if they go wrong,
they will lead the lambs astray.
And so for the sheep we tenderly plead,
for the sake of the lambs today;
if the sheep are lost, what r\terrible price
some lambs will have to pay!
Are you bringing up your children properly, teaching and instructing them about the Lord? It is so important as another little verse says:
heres a wide-eyed little youngster
who believes youre always right;
and his ears are always open,
and he watches day and night;
you are setting an example
every day in all you do,
for the little one whos watching
to grow up just like you.!
-Anon.
We read earlier Gods wish list in Deuteronomy 5. He said, I wish they would always worship me with fear and trembling and be this willing to obey me! Then they and their children would always enjoy a successful life.[24] Success always depends on our loving God, and we show our love by worshipping him and keeping his commands.
[1] Deuteronomy 4:39-40 (All Scriptures are from the Contemporary English Version unless otherwise stated.)
[2] Deuteronomy 5:29
[3] Deuteronomy 6:3
[4] Deuteronomy 6:20-25
[5] Deuteronomy 4:5-8
[6] Deuteronomy 4:33-34
[7] Deuteronomy 6:5
[8] John 14:15
[9] James 2:21, 23
[10] Exodus 33:11
[11] Numbers 12:6-8
[12] John 15:14-15
[13] Proverbs 17:17 NRSV
[14] Proverbs 27:6 NRSV
[15] Deuteronomy 5:9-10
[16] Deuteronomy 4:9
[17] Deuteronomy 4:10
[18] Deuteronomy 6:6-7
[19] Proverbs 22:6 NRSV
[20] 2 Corinthians 12:14
[21] Ephesians 6:4
[22] I Timothy 3:4
[23] Titus 2:4
[24] Deuteronomy