And In Summary, Let Me Say...

Day 33: Deuteronomy 1–5; Proverbs 1–6; Acts 4–6

Deuteronomy is a sermon of sorts.  The book summarizes the history of the wilderness wanderings and the laws, statutes and ordinances which the Lord commanded Moses for the people to keep.  You might think of Deuteronomy as a Reader's Digest abridged version of some of Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers.  The book was likely written or at least edited by scribes post the exile in Babylon (see Deut. 2:12) as it has inferences to future happenings as if the reader already knows.

I am also confused because the writer of Deuteronomy tells a slightly different history than the writer of Numbers.  Edom turns Israel away and will not let them pass through the land of Seir (Num. 20:20-21), but in Deuteronomy it seems like the Edomites allow passage (Deut. 2:29).  Is this a mistake from the editors?  Is this a purposeful telling that is warmer toward the Edomites that reflects Israel's warmer relationships in the post-exilic return to the Land?  Who knows? What does it matter?

Deuteronomy 1-5 summarizes the journey from Mt. Sinai, where they received the Law, to the valley facing Beth-Peor (Shittim?).  Chapters 4-5 begin a witness to the Law, warning the Israelites about worshipping idols/false gods and the giving of the Ten Commandments. Deuteronomy 5:6-21 is the second place in the Old Testament to find the entire list of the Ten Commandments.

Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings by King Solomon, son of King David, who prayed for the Lord to give him wisdom to govern the people of Israel.  This collection if heeded brings life and blessing.  If wisdom and correction is ignored, doom befalls the foolish. The wisdom recorded here is to be prized above silver and gold.  Practical and inspiring, troubling and compelling are the Proverbs as the heart longs to attain the wealth of wisdom being offered.

Acts 4-6 tells of the continued rejection of Jesus by the ruling class of religious leaders in Jerusalem and the growth of the church through the proclamation of the gospel accompanied with signs and wonders that God is indeed with this movement.

Peter and John heal a lame man in Acts 3, but are arrested for teaching that faith in the name of Jesus healed him (Acts 3:16).   The Sanhedrin order them not to preach any longer in the name of Jesus, but the men boldly reply, "Whether it's right in the sight of God [for us] to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard (Acts 4:19-20)."

They continue to witness to Jesus just as He promised they would when they received the power from heaven (Acts 1:8).  And the signs of God's power among them continued.  Fear gripped the community when the liars Ananias and Sapphira try to cheat God and they both die suddenly when confronted with their sin (Acts 5:11).  The Apostles are arrested again for preaching, but an angel sets them free form jail in the middle of the night with the guards still present and unaware.  This is very much like the resurrection of Jesus who could not be found in the empty tomb much to the guards' dismay. 

Healings continue to the point that people began bringing the sick out to Peter in hopes that even his shadow might fall on them and heal them.  This is very much like the woman with the flow of blood hoping to touch the tassels on Jesus' garment for healing. 

And the apostles suffering the lash just as their Lord before them and yet they are rejoicing to suffer for the Name (Acts 5:41)!  Can you imagine? 

And in summary, let me say that the work of Jesus was only multiplied in His death, for through resurrection and exaltation and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, His church, His body on earth continues the work He began.  He healed and the Spirit-filled church heals.  He suffered and the church suffers.  He drew crowds and His church draws crowds in response to the gospel.  This is not simply a continuation of Jesus' ministry.  This is the beginning of the culmination of all God has been doing from the very beginning when He spoke and separated the light from the dark, when He separated the children of Abraham to shine for all the nations to see.  And now the kingdom of Christ advances further as the Spirit-filled church proclaims with authority the name of Jesus.

May Your kingdom continue to advance and many Your church continue to proclaim with power the mighty name of Jesus Christ.  Fro there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).  Amen and Amen!