Joel M Bradshaw

10And Moses commanded them, “At the end of every seven years, at the set time in the year of release, at the Feast of Booths, 11when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place that he will choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12Assemble the people, men, women, and little ones, and the sojourner within your towns, that they may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, and be careful to do all the words of this law, 13and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.”–Deuteronomy 31

Shorter blog today. Paul later wrote to the church at Rome that faith comes through hearing (Romans 10:17). We thus understand that as the Bible is read, God uses that reading to result in your faith. We see something similar here with Moses.

God expected all those gathered to hear (Hebrew from that famous word ‘shema’).

God further expected hearing to produce fearing God.

God expected hearing and fearing to lead to careful obedience.

God expected all those who were present to do this. Ignorance and cultural heritage were not excuses. If they lived there, they were to do this.

God set a timeline for this as long as they lived.

So it follows as you read the Bible or listen in a gathering, do you do this?

Do you hear, fear, and obey?

The declaration of the Bible is never random and purposeless, because its Author is always at work. Hebrews 4…

12For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

And Isaiah 55…

10As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

11so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

God is at work whenever His Bible is proclaimed. Pay attention. Stay diligent.–JMB