Old Testament reading: Deuteronomy 31
Deuteronomy 31 begins the formal transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua. This had already been initiated in Numbers 27. In this text, Moses is instructed to teach the people a new song. Most of us love to hear and learn new songs, but this song was different, as it would serve as a witness against them in the day of their apostasy. Moses also makes a statement that reminds me of Jesus. In 31:27, Moses says, ‘If you have been rebellious while I was alive and among you, how much worse will you be after I’m gone?’ It reminds me of Jesus statement in Luke 23:31 as he was being led away to be crucified, “If they do these things when the wood is green, what will they do in when it is dry?” Transitions in leadership and the inherent authority of leadership are usually difficult for both shepherds and sheep. It is a time of uncertainty. Moses did everything in his power to set the table for Joshua, commending him in the sight of all the people as God’s chosen successor (v 7). He also reminds the people that the power in not in the man, but in the God behind the man (v 8).
New Testament reading: 1 Thessalonians
“Jesus is coming!” Surely the streets of many first century towns were filled with this exclamation as the Lord approached town. According to the divine record, no church was as preoccupied with Jesus’ second coming as that in Thessalonica. In both epistles to these Christians, Paul affirms the certainty of the Lord’s second coming. We realize that chapter and verse divisions did not come for many centuries after the Bible was written. Nevertheless, in each of these five short chapters, Paul makes at least one reference to the second coming. Each of these mentions are tied to a separate thought or charge: Chapter 1 – Be Patient (v 10); Chapter 2 – Be Faithful (v 19); Chapter 3 – Be Holy (v 13); Chapter 4 – Be Comforted (v 18); Chapter 5 – Be Watchful (v 2) and Complete (v 23). The same emphasis continues in the second epistle. We should all be mindful of and motivated by the second coming of our Lord.
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