Scripture Passage
Scripture Focus
“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” (Deut 30:19 NLT)
Observation
I’m quite aware that sometimes (most times?) what catches my attention from the Scriptures day-to-day is a little “to the side”…somewhat “off the beaten path” of the main thrust of the passage itself. But not so today. These words from Moses in Deuteronomy 30:19 are at the core of everything that’s been said in Deuteronomy—and, indeed, at the core of everything God’s been offering Israel since Moses first showed up on the scene in Egypt at the beginning of Exodus.
This is it. This is the offer. This is the opportunity. This is the challenge. This is the call.
“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” (Deut 30:19 NLT)
This was God’s offer, not Moses’. Moses simply serves as the conduit for the offer God extends. And through Moses, God pleads with people—“Oh, that you would choose life…!”
That offer is extended throughout the Old Testament (see, for example, Isaiah 55:1-2) and then repeated by Jesus himself throughout the gospels.
"If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water" (John 4:10 NIV).
"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink" (John 7:37 NIV).
Indeed, it is the closing cry of Scripture—
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life (Revelation 22:17 NIV).
There is some point in the life of every person where that invitation must be R.S.V.P.’d—“yes” or “no”, “in” or “out”. And at the same time, there is some sense in which every one of us gets to respond to that invitation every day…maybe even many times in day. The obvious question becomes, what’s your answer—what’s my answer—today…right now? God’s cry?
“Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!”
3 comments:
Today's scriptures......quite up lifting! He is so worthy and we are so blessed!
Wouldn't this be a good scripture to refer to when we are faced with hard decisions or even when being tempted...Is my choice going to bring me life?? or death?? Is what I am doing today, right now, bringing life to me or my family? Are my words to others 'life giving'? (do they promote God's love or His will?) or do they bring death? (do they crush the spirit of those who are hearing me? or provoke anger or resentment?) I don't want to be a stumbling block for anyone!!
I like how the Message puts so bluntly the message of Deut. ch. 30 vs. 11-14. "This commandment that I'm commanding you today isn't too much for you, it's not out of your reach. It's not on a high mountain- you don't have to get mountaineers to climb the peak and bring it down to your level and explain it before you can live it. And it's not across the ocean- you don't have to send sailors out to get it, bring it back, and then explain it before you can live it. No. The word is right here and now- as near as the tongue in your mouth, as near as the heart in your chest, Just do it!" (so this is where Nike gets it's marketing ideas from!!LOL)
These words in the Message also resound of what we are talking of here. Revelation 22:17 "Come! say the Spirit and the Bride, whoever hears, echo, "Come!" All who will, come and drink, Drink freely of the Water of Life!"
Thank you, Jesus, for being my River of Life flowing forevermore so that I may be refreshed.
yes, I just realized that I posted the same scripture. It's worded a little differently so I guess I did not pay close attention to references when reading your blog, Pastor. Either way, worth repeating a second time, huh?!! lol
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