The Lesson Continued

Moses wanted to be certain Israel remembered the covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the entire nation. It bore repeating then and it bears repeating now.  It hasn’t changed in all this time.

This, however, is a generation beyond those who left Egypt.  Those original emigrants rebelled and were not allowed to set foot in the promised land. The next generation would accomplish their purpose.
Actions have consequences. Obedience does, too.  Moses reminded his listeners how God provided for them:

Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years. (Deuteronomy 8:4 KJV)

Begin with Deutoronomy 8:12 where Moses begins with "Lest ..." and continues with all the things people desire for their own comfort - filled with food, living in a good house, wealth multiplied and hearts that forget God and what He has done - and those deeds are listed - then comes the sinfulness:

And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. (Deuteronomy 8:17 KJV)

That’s the start.  I’ve mentioned it over and over – some of my readers are probably tired of hearing that when we cease to follow God’s will, when we substitute “I will”, there are consequences.

Moses then reminds his listeners that power and wealth comes from God, with reasons.  And, that there are consequences for them (just as for us) if we forget:

And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. (Deuteronomy 8:19 KJV)

This tells me things haven’t changed since Moses’ time. The words of God bear repeating, reminding us again and again. Unlike some other reminders, I never tire of His.  I need the reminders.

It is so easy to forget.  Days are filled with activities that do not mention His name.  This generation has serious proponents for removing all mentioning of Him or His word from schools and any other public area, indicating those who mention Him are intolerant. I  beg to differ with them.

The most recent instance is the removal of a World War II memorial, more than fifty years after it’s erection by the Knights of Columbus, American citizens, American veterans, who wished to honor their fellow servicemen. A later generation forgot them and their reasons for the memorial were no longer relevant. As a consequence, the memorial must be removed.

Religions – not simply Christianity - have been a part of this land’s culture since its beginning. Tolerance allows citizens to practice their religion.  Intolerance requires its removal.

May we be allowed to remember.  Each and every one of us.