Deuteronomy 8:1-31NIV New International Version Translations
1 Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors. 2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

img226Background2http://www.easyenglish.info/bible-commentary/deuteronomy-lbw.htm

There are differing opinions about who wrote the book of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy says that Moses wrote it. In Deuteronomy 1:5 it says, ‘Moses began to explain God’s law.’ In Deuteronomy 31:9 it says, ‘Moses wrote down this law.’ In Deuteronomy 31:24 it says, ‘Moses wrote in a book all the words of God’s laws.’ 2 Kings 14:6 refers to ‘the Book of the Law of Moses’. Then it refers to Deuteronomy 24:16. Jesus said that Moses wrote the book. (See Matthew 19:7-8 and John 5:46-47.) In Mark 12:19, the Sadducees said that Moses wrote the book. In Acts 3:22, Peter says that Moses wrote the book. Also, Paul says that in Romans 10:5, 19. The devil tempted Jesus when he was in the desert. And Jesus used the book of Deuteronomy to answer the devil.

Assuming Moses was the author, the date of the book was probably about 1406 B.C. We read this in 1 Kings 6:1. The 4th year of King Solomon’s rule was 480 years after the Israelites escaped from Egypt. We know that Solomon began to rule in 970 B.C. Therefore they escaped from Egypt in 1446 B.C. The Israelites went into the country called Canaan 40 years later. Moses wrote Deuteronomy just before then. So, the date is about 1406 B.C.

The word Deuteronomy means ‘the second law in Greek. The title in the Hebrew language is ‘these are the words’. It is a record of the covenant relationship between God and the Israelites. The book teaches people how to love God and their neighbors. There are 100 references from Deuteronomy in the New Testament. Deuteronomy is still important for Christians today, although the culture is different. The book is sometimes called ‘The Book of Covenant Life’.

Biblical Truth

Moses reminded the Israelites about what God had done in the past. Then he told them what God would do in the future. When they were in the desert, God taught them to trust him. He wanted to take away their pride, so he allowed them to have difficulties. He wanted to see if they would really trust him. God gave that food to them every day. Without it, they had nothing to eat. But God taught them that they needed more than food in order to live.

Items for Discussion

  • What do we learn when we reflect back and put things in context?
  • Why is it important for Christians today to reflect back on their God?
  • Man needs food, the soul needs God – In what way can we use the Word of God, the Bible, to feed the soul?
  • What are the benefits we receive by studying the history of our God?
  • Why do you believe that the Bible is the inspired work of God?

 

Luke 17:11-19
11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Background3http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Luke/Faithful-Looking-King-Kingdom

This passage appears to be a simple healing account. But this miracle is not like most other miracles, since the healing itself is not emphasized as much as the reaction to it. As with all five miracles in the journey section, the miracle is less important than its results. Jesus heals as he continues his journey to meet his fate in Jerusalem. Luke often notes the journey’s progress, but the notes become more frequent as Jerusalem nears (9:50-52; 13:22, 33; 14:25; 17:11; 18:35; 19:1, 11, 28, 41, 44). Jesus is passing between Samaria and Galilee. Moving east to west, his journey of destiny continues. That he would meet a Samaritan in this setting is not surprising.

The lepers of ancient society were rejected. They were treated as outcasts, like many who have AIDS today (see discussion of 5:12-16). They were required to live outside the city in leper camps (Numbers 5:2-3) and were to cry out to warn others to keep away from then as they walked the streets (Lev 13:45-46).

The lessons of the healing follow. There are several points:

  1. God’s mercy should yield thanksgiving.
  2. God works through Jesus (v. 15).
  3. Getting close to God is a matter of trusting Him. One who seems far away can really be near.
  4. The outsider, the foreigner, is the most sensitive to Jesus. Those who respond to God may not be the ones we expect to respond.
  5. God’s blessing can be appreciated or underappreciated.

Bible Truth4http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=42&c=17

A sense of our spiritual leprosy should make us very humble whenever we draw near to Christ. It is enough to refer ourselves to the compassions of Christ, for they do not fail. We may look for God to meet us with mercy, when we are found in the way of obedience. Only one of those who were healed returned to give thanks. It becomes us, like him, to be very humble in thanksgivings, as well as in prayers. Christ noticed the one who distinguished himself, he was a Samaritan. The others only got the outward cure, he alone got the spiritual blessing.

Items for Discussion

  • Why does your family celebrate Thanksgiving?
  • What are the things that you are most thankful for?
  • Why do we need to receive mercies or blessings to be thankful?
  • Why are so many not thankful in our society today? Another way to look at it is why do so many feel entitled to the mercies and blessings they receive?
  • Why do you think that the one farthest from Christ, the Samaritan, was drawn closer to Christ and most thankful?

Discussion Challenge

  • What are the things we can do on Thanksgiving to show others the mercies and blessings of God?