Read: Deuteronomy 4:1-49; Luke 6:39-7:10; Psalm 68:1-18; Proverbs 11:28
Moses spoke to them his last words. In it he was trying to imprint upon their hearts their identity. God wanted them to know how he chose them, spoke to them, performed miracles for them and now had given them this land. He wanted them to know that no one had a God that was near to them and heard their prayers. No other nation had a personal father in heaven who loved them. Even though they could not see him, he was there always for them.
He warned them of being enticed into other forms of worship of other gods and the temptations they were about to encounter. God instructed them to teach their children their heritage and where they came from and who their god was. He told them to ask him about things that happened before their time when God created the earth because he wanted them to learn about him. He told them that no one on earth had laws that were as righteous and good as his and that they would keep them strong and blessed if they obeyed them. God had great things in store for them if they obeyed his laws.
In Mark, Jesus tried to enter town secretly but it didn’t take long for the people to find out he was there and start bringing their sick to him. A mother brought her daughter who was possessed by an evil spirit. She was Greek and begged Jesus to cast the demon from her daughter. Jesus told her that first he was sent to the lost sheep of Israel. He used the expression of tossing the children’s bread to their dogs. The woman was desperate and countered with, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Her reply got her what she wanted. Her daughter was released from the demon.
Jesus’ reply to the woman sounds mean and harsh but he was profecying his mission. It was first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles.
Jesus went on to heal a man with a speech impediment who was deaf and fed a multitude with seven baskets of food left. It is important to know that Jesus is in the territory of the Gentiles.
Lord, your ways are so beyond my understanding but I know that you do all things well.
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