“Listen to the statutes and judgments which I am teaching to you to perform.”

Deuteronomy 4:1-9, “And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I am teaching you to perform, in order that you may live and go in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. You shall not add to the word, which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you. Your eyes have seen what the LORD has done in the case of Baal-peor, for all the men who followed Baal-peor, the LORD your God has destroyed them from among you. But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive today, every one of you. See, I have taught you statutes and judgments just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do thus in the land where you are entering to possess it. So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the LORD our God whenever we call on Him? Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today? Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.”

Jesus began His ministry not by a great sermon, but by being led by the Holy Spirit into a desolate place where He was tempted by the devil. He responded to every challenge by quoting scripture taken from the book of Deuteronomy. Might it not also be useful for our own lives to study this scripture?

We thank You for Your that all scripture is breathed by You for our “teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.” We thank You for Your word that points to Jesus, the Way, the truth and the life, and that by it we may become complete, “furnished completely unto every good work.”