April 5- Predicting the Future

April 5, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Deuteronomy 28:1-68; Luke 11:14-36;
Psalm 77:1-20; Proverbs 12:18

Deuteronomy 28:1-68

In Greek mythology the Fates were three sister goddesses, robed in white, who had the power to decide a person's destiny.  They could assign a person good or evil in their lives and also determine how long a person lived.  Clotho, the spinner, would spin the threads of life. Lachesis, the measurer, chose a person's lot in life and measured how long that person's life would be.  Atropos, she who cannot be turned, is the one who at death would cut the threads of a person's life.  The Greeks held that these women controlled the future of each person on earth.

Today Moses uses the power of the real God in Heaven to accurately predict the future of the nation of Israel. Israel's fate rested on two covenants.  One was conditional, the other was unconditional.  Occupation of the land of Israel was conditioned on their obedience to God.  Possession of the land was an unconditional covenant made by God with Abraham. Moses terms these predictions of the future on the "ifs" of Israel's behavior.  Obedience to God's laws would result in six blessings.  Disobedience to God's laws would result in twelve curses.  Where are the other six blessings you may ask?  They are given by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

As you might guess, the nation of Israel was unable to keep the Law.  They turned from God and worshiped idols.  The curses listed today reflect three dispossessions of the Israelites out of the Promised Land because of their disobedience.  It also reflects three regatherings of the Israelites back into the land because of God's grace.  Here is a summary of the prewritten history of the nation of Israel as told by Moses:

• The first dispossession was predicted to Abraham when he was told in Genesis 15:13 & 16 that his descendants would go down to Egypt and be enslaved for 430 years.  They would be regathered and enter the Promised Land.  Moses is actually talking to the people who will be part of that first regathering.
• The second dispossession prophecy is found in Deut. 28:32-37.  This describes Zedekiah, a future Israelite king, having his eyes put out and his sons killed before him, prior to Israel's captivity in Babylon.  The books of Ezra and Nehemiah detail the regathering of Israel to the Promised Land for the second time.
• The third dispossession of the land occurred when the Israelites were conquered by Rome.  This is predicted in Deut. 28:48-53.  Rome was known as an iron kingdom. The Romans carried a standard into battle that had the image of an eagle upon it.  When Jerusalem was sacked by Rome in 70 A.D. jewish mothers were actually forced to give up their babies and some people ate the flesh of the babies for food because of the great starvation that was occurring.  The Jews have been scattered across the world ever since.  This prophecy has been literally fulfilled.  The third regathering of the Jews is not complete.  The nation of Israel is still spread throughout the earth.  As you read Deut. 28:65-67, the persecution that the Jews have endured throughout history can be seen.

What is the lesson to us?  God moves in history. The prophecies in the Bible are true. God's purposes are great.  His Story will be told and nothing can stop His will. The Jewish people have not had an easy role in this story, but yet, they have a glorious role. The provided the Scriptures which explain the glory of the Creator and they brought the world the Messiah. The story is not over.  Those of us who know the Lord should share the good news of the gospel with the dispossessed people of God.  Our goal should be to help people find the Promised Land of faith in Jesus Christ and enter it.

Luke 11:14-36

Today we reread the story of people accusing Jesus of doing his miracles by the power of Satan.  Jesus refutes this theory by saying that a house divided cannot stand.  If Satan is casting out demons, then Satan's work is being destroyed by Satan himself.  That doesn't make any sense.  While Jesus is discussing this, a lady screams out that his mother is blessed.  Jesus, perhaps aware that people are always looking for someone to elevate spiritually even to the point of goddess worship, responds that people are blessed who hear his teachings and obey them.

Jesus indicated that his resurrection (the sign of Jonah) will be a judgment against the Jews desire to see miracles, rather than believe his message on faith. He further points out that two Gentiles (the Queen of Sheba and the people of Nineveh) believed in the coming Messiah. This is an affront to the Jews, who despise the Gentiles and consider them all pagan. Jesus indicates that if you believe his words, your whole life will radiate as if you have a floodlight shining on you. This means that your integrity allows your life to be examined and found righteous.

Would people describe you as someone who shines or someone who can withstand close examination?  Do you know that God's truth in your life, if followed in obedience, will make you shine among people?

Psalm 77:1-20

This psalm is a cry for help.  Have you spent sleepless night crying to God? 

Proverbs 12:18

"Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing."  So true.

What did you see today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
© 2011