by Rick Marin | Dec 22, 2021 | Deuteronomy
What gave Moses peace as he faced death?
(Num. 20:1-13; Deut. 32:48-52; 34:1-12; Luke 9:28-36; Jude 9) Blog 19-25 Dec. 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: In his farewell address in Deuteronomy, Moses gives a summary of all that God tried to teach his people during their wilderness wanderings. He also includes a blessing for the tribes of Israel in chapter 33. They were never to forget that it was God’s grace and not their goodness that brought all his blessings to them. They were to remember that being loyal to God’s covenant would ensure future blessings, but rebellion would only bring God’s curses. These themes are repeated throughout the Bible.
His Sin
1. When God’s people murmured against Moses for lack of water after leaving Egypt, what did God tell Moses to do? At Rephidim God told Moses to take the elders of Israel & go to the rock at Mount Horeb (Sinai) & strike it once with his rod & water would come gushing out of the rock (Ex. 17:1-7).
2. Who does the Apostle Paul say that rock in Horeb represented? Paul says that the rock in the wilderness of Sinai represented Jesus (1 Cor. 10:4).
3. Why did Moses call the place where God gave Israel water, Massah and Meribah? Moses called the place where water gushed from the rock Massah (temptation) & Meribah (strife) for there God’s people murmured & strove with God (Ex. 17:7).
4. After wandering forty years in the desert how did God’s people react when they ran out of water? God’s people “gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron” chiding them for bringing them out of Egypt (Num. 20:1-5).
5. What did Moses and Aaron do in response to the angry mob that demanded water? Moses & Aaron sought God’s help at the sanctuary when the people demanded water (Num. 20:6).
6. In order to give water to the people what did God tell Moses to do? God told Moses to take his rod & Aaron & gather the people & speak to the rock for water to come out (Num. 20:7-8).
7. When the congregation was gathered in front of the rock what did Moses do? In front of all the congregation Moses shouted: “Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?” & then stuck the rock twice with his rod (Num. 20:9-11).
8. What was God’s reaction to Moses’ action? God called Moses & Aaron’s act rebellion & told them they would not be allowed to bring his people into the promised land because they didn’t believe him and failed to sanctify God before the congregation (Num. 20:12, 24; 27:14; Deut. 32:48-52).
9. What should we learn from God’s instructions to Moses? We should learn that Christ, the Rock, was crucified once & since then all we have to do is ask in order to receive the blessings we desire (Num. 20:8, 12).
10. How did Moses react to God’s death sentence? Moses asked God to find a replacement for him & to let hm cross Jordan & help conquer the promised land, but God refused his last request (Num. 27:15-17; Deut. 3:23-26).
His Death
11. When Moses climbed Mount Pisgah alone what did God do for him before he died? God showed Moses a panorama of the promised land and the future history of God’s people (Deut. 3:27; 34:1-4).
12. Who witnessed Moses’ death? No human being witnessed Moses’ death but only God & the angels who buried him witnessed it for God wanted no one to worship the spot (Deut. 34:5-6).
13. What indicates that Moses did not die of old age at 120 years? Scripture says: Moses’ “eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated” (Deut. 34:7).
14. What should we learn from the fact that God prohibited Moses from entering the Promised Land because of his sin? Moses’ experience should teach us that God requires exact obedience, that men are to beware of taking to themselves the glory which is alone due to their Maker, & that a wrong act can never be undone (Rom. 2:13; Rev. 14:7).
15. What gave Moses peace as he faced death? Moses faced death with peace of mind for without a murmur he submitted to the decree of God & through confession of his sin he received forgiveness through the blood of the Lamb that would pay its penalty on the cross (Deut. 34:1; Heb. 11:27).
His Resurrection
16. Besides showing Moses the promised land, what else did God do for Moses? God resurrected Moses & translated him to heaven to live with him (Jude 9).
17. What proof does the Bible give of Moses’ resurrection? The Bible is clear that the dead know not anything but rather await the crown of life at Christ’s second coming. However, on the mount of transfiguration Moses appeared alive with Elijah who was translated without seeing death (Eccl. 9:5-6; Luke 9:30-31; 2 Tim. 4:8).
18. If Elijah represents God’s people who will be translated without seeing death, who does Moses represent? Moses represents those of God’s people who will be resurrected at Christ’s second coming (1 Thes. 4:13-17).
19. Who is Michael the Archangel who contended with the devil for the resurrection of Moses? Michael is Jesus, “the angel of the Lord “who appeared unto Abraham, Moses, & Gideon – Daniel’s Prince who looked like “one of the sons of men” & will deliver God’s people (Gen. 22:15-17; Ex. 3:2-6; Judges 6:11-14; Dan. 10:13, 14, 21; 12:1).20. On what basis can Jesus resurrect Moses and us if we die? Jesus won the right to resurrect Moses & all who believe in him because he lived a sinless life, died an atoning death, & rose triumphant from the tomb (1 Cor. 15:13-22).
by Rick Marin | Dec 16, 2021 | Deuteronomy
What statement from Deuteronomy was fixed in Peter’s mind?
(Deut. 8:3; Matt. 4:1-11; Acts 7:37; 10:34; Gal. 3:1-14; Heb. 10:28-31) Blog 12-18 Dec. 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: In his farewell address Moses emphasized the need to remember God’s leading, his covenant, and his loving care. Known as The Book of the Law or The Book of the Covenant, Deuteronomy gives a summary of all that God tried to teach his people during their wilderness wanderings. They were never to forget that it was God’s grace and not their goodness that brought all his blessings to them and that if they rebelled against him they would receive the curses listed in Deuteronomy. These themes are repeated throughout the Old Testament.
Jesus and Deuteronomy
1. When tempted in the wilderness how did Jesus respond to the devil? In responding to Satan’s temptations Jesus quoted verses from Deuteronomy (Deut. 6:13, 16; 8:3; Matt. 4:1-11).
2. What particular link exists between Jesus’ temptations and the book of Deuteronomy? Jesus was the Prince of the covenant & Deuteronomy is the Book of the Covenant so it was very appropriate for Jesus to quote from it when Satan attempted to thwart his covenant fulfillment (Deut 29:9; Mal. 3:1; Heb. 10:9).
3. How were Jesus’ temptations related to those of Adam and Eve? Just like Jesus, Adam & Eve were tempted on appetite, presumption, & selfish ambition in rejecting the Word of God (Gen, 3:1-6).
4. How was it that Jesus could quote various passages from Deuteronomy with such ease? Jesus spent his childhood learning Holy Scripture at his mother’s knee & on his own throughout his youth (Luke 2:46-47).
5. After feeding the 5,000, what did the people erroneously seek from Jesus? The people sought physical food when they should have been seeking the Bread of Life, Jesus himself (Deut. 8:3; John 6:30-35).
6. Give other examples where Jesus quoted Deuteronomy: Jesus quoted Deuteronomy in Matthew15:4; 18:16; 22:37; & 26:11.
7. When Peter writes that we should resist the devil how did Jesus do this that made the devil flee from him? Jesus wielded the sharp two-edged sword of the Spirit to resist the devil, just as we should also (Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12; 1 Pet. 1:23).
8. What evidence does Luke give that after his resurrection Jesus still relied on his knowledge of Holy Scripture rather than on doing miracles as the greatest proof that he was the Messiah? Luke says that in order to show the two disciples on the road to Emmaus that he was the promised Messiah he quoted Moses & the prophets (Luke 24:25-27).
The Early Church and Deuteronomy
9. What statement from Deuteronomy does Peter quote in his second Pentecostal sermon? Peter quotes the portion of Deuteronomy that says God will raise up another prophet like Moses to whom his people should pay careful attention & says that prophet is Jesus (Deut. 18:15-19; Acts 3:22-23).
10. What statement from Deuteronomy was fixed in Peter’s mind when he came to Cornelius’ home? Just after his housetop vision Peter has Moses’ statement that “God is no respecter of persons” fixed in his mind (Deut. 10:17; Acts 10:34; 1 Pet. 1:17).
11. If according to Moses and Peter, God does not have favorites, what common doctrine must be wrong? If God doesn’t have favorites, then the doctrine of limited atonement (that Jesus died only for the elect) must be wrong (Deut. 10:17; Acts 10:34).
12. What statement from Deuteronomy does Stephen quote in his defense before the Jewish Council? Stephen quotes the portion of Deuteronomy that says God will raise up another prophet like Moses to whom his people should pay careful attention (Deut. 18:15-19; Acts 7:37).
13. Why did the Jewish leaders reject Stephen’s application of Deuteronomy 18:15? The Jewish leaders rejected Stephen’s defense because they could not believe that the Law of Moses had served its purpose while only the Ten Commandments remained & that they were no longer God’s chosen people (Deut. 18:15; Acts 6:8-14; 7:37; Col. 2:13-17).
Paul and Deuteronomy
14. When Paul quotes Moses’ statement about the nearness of God’s Law to his people, how does he turn Moses’ emphasis in another direction? Paul applies Moses’ words to the nearness of the Gospel to those in his hearing, saying that Moses taught “Obey and Live” which Israel took to mean that they had the power to obey in themselves & so sought righteousness through their obedience when they should have sought righteousness in Jesus who taught “Live and Obey” (Deut. 30:12-13; Romans 10:1-13).
15. How does Paul apply the curse mentioned in Deuteronomy 27:26? Paul uses Moses’ words to emphasize that God through Moses required TOTAL obedience in order to not be cursed, thus showing that all human beings are under a curse because no one totally obeys God’s Law (Deut. 5:29; 27:26; Gal. 3:10-11).
16. What is Paul’s answer to the human inability to keep all the Commandments? Paul turns to Jesus as the One who bore all the curses for us (even to being hanged on a tree) so that through faith in him we might receive all the blessings promised in Deuteronomy (Deut. 21:23; Gal. 3:11-14; 2 Cor. 5:21).
17. To whom does Paul write the book of Hebrews? Paul clearly states that he is writing the book called “Hebrews” to “holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling” thus showing that he is writing to all believers & not Jewish believers only (Heb. 3:1).
18. What passages from Deuteronomy does Paul quote in Hebrews 10? In Hebrews 10 Paul quotes Deuteronomy 17:6 & 32:35-36 (Heb. 10:28-30).
19. What theme, common to Deuteronomy, is Paul emphasizing in the last part of Hebrews 10? In the last part of Hebrews 10 Paul is emphasizing the possibility of a believer losing their salvation by openly turning away from God who will settle all accounts in final judgment (Deut. 17:6, 12-13; 32:35-36; Heb. 10:26-31).
by Rick Marin | Dec 8, 2021 | Deuteronomy
Who should receive blessings?
(2 Kings 22-23; Jer. 7:1-7; Dan. 9:1-19; Mic. 6:1-8) Blog Dec. 5-11, 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: God’s leading, God’s covenant, and God’s love are recorded by Moses in Deuteronomy. Throughout his farewell address Moses emphasized the need to remember God’s leading and his blessings. Obedience would be the result and that would bring even greater blessings. God’s people were never to forget that it was God’s grace and not their goodness that brought all these blessings and when they failed him, they were to repent and ask his forgiveness. Only through God’s grace and mercy could his people remain in covenant union with him. In that union God promised to care for them and to deliver them from every foe.
In the Historical Books
1. When Moses writes about “the heaven of heavens” what is his emphasis? When mentioning “the heaven of heavens” Moses is emphasizing God’s sovereignty over & ownership of not only earth & its atmosphere but also of the starry heavens & God’s heavenly dwelling place showing that we should love, obey & worship him (Deut. 10:12-14).
2. When David quotes Deuteronomy 10:14 what is his emphasis? David is emphasizing that even the clouds in the sky as well as the angels & highest heaven should all praise the Lord (Psa. 148:4).
3. When Solomon quotes Deuteronomy 10:14 what was his emphasis? Solomon emphasized God’s greatness showing that God cannot be contained in a box (1 Kings 8:27).
4. When Nehemiah quotes Deuteronomy 10:14 what is his emphasis? Nehemiah is emphasizing that God not only created & sustains this earth & everything in it, but he also created “the heaven of heavens” so it is right for the whole universe to worship him (Neh. 9:6).
5. What did God tell his people that they would do after Moses was gone? God told his people that they would depart from following him and serve other gods after Moses was gone (Deut. 31:16-20).
6. When King Josiah heard the words that Moses wrote in Deuteronomy what did he realize? Upon hearing the words of Deuteronomy, Josiah realized that God’s wrath was directed towards his people for they had turned to other gods (2 Kings 22:13).
7. How did King Josiah seek to remedy the evil course of his people? Josiah led his people in a covenant renewal, vowing to serve the true God (2 Kings 23:1-3).
8. After renewing their covenant with God what fifteen reforms did Josiah enact? Josiah burned the vessels made for Baal that were in God’s temple, fired all the idolatrous priests, removed & burned the graven image his grandfather had placed in God’s temple, tore down the houses of the sodomites that were beside the temple, brought all God’s priests out of the cities of Judah, broke down the idols across the country, defiled Topheth so people could no longer sacrifice their children to Molech, took the horses away from the chariots of the sun which he burned, broke down the pagan altars his ancestors had placed in God’s temple, defiled the high places that Solomon has made for his wives, broke down the golden calf Jeroboam had made for Israel to worship, took away all the pagan houses of worship in neighboring Samaria, & slew all the priests of these pagan houses of worship (2 Kings 23:1-20).
9. What reforms today would correspond with those Josiah made? Today a good church administrator would call the congregation to renew their covenant with God, burn all the heretical literature in the church, fire all the unfaithful church officers, destroy the images found in God’s temple, remove all the LGBTQ officers, bring back the marginalized pastors from exile, & speak out against false religion across the country (Rom. 16:17-18).
In the Prophets
10. What concern of Moses does Jeremiah repeat in chapter 7 of his book? Jeremiah, like Moses reminds God’s people not to oppress strangers, the fatherless or widows (Deut. 24:17; Jer. 7:6).
11. Who is Jeremiah quoting in chapter 29:13? Jeremiah is using the words of Moses written in Deuteronomy 4:29 (Deut 4:29; Jer. 29:13).
12. How does Daniel’s prayer for restoration of the sanctuary reflect the message of Deuteronomy? Daniel seeks God with all his heart, mind, & soul, confessing his sin & that of his people just as Moses said they should do when God scattered them in foreign lands. He reminds God that he has promised to keep his covenant & mercy to his commandment-keeping people & that the curses promised to the disobedient have rightfully come upon them (Deut. 4:26-31; 7:9; 27:15; 28:15; 30:1-3; Dan. 9:3-4, 9-13).
13. What portion of Deuteronomy does Micah quote almost verbatim? Micah quotes Deuteronomy 10:12 when accusing God’s people of violating the covenant (Deut. 10:12; Mic. 6:8).
14. What were God’s people doing that made God use Micah to call the mountains and hills as covenant witnesses against them? In Micah’s day (and in ours) God’s people were following the forms of religion while not having its spirit or power (Mic. 6:1-8; 2 Tim. 3:5).
15. In Psalm 135 what statement from Deuteronomy does David quote? David quotes Deuteronomy 32:36 which says: “the Lord shall judge his people” (Deut. 32:36; Psa. 135:14).
Present-day Applications
16. What term today refers to quoting other authors without giving them credit and why do Bible authors do this? Quoting other authors without giving credit is called plagiarizing & Bible authors feel free to do this for they are inspired by God who also inspired the original quotation. This gives God the credit rather than human authors (2 Pet. 1:21).
17. What can we learn from Daniel’s repeated use of Deuteronomy in his prayer for sanctuary restoration. Daniel, like Solomon, gives us an example of praying from Scripture by repeating God’s instructions in his prayer & asking God to fulfill his promises (2 Kings 8:23-26, 53; Dan. 9:10-13; Eph. 6:18).
18. What two general categories given in Deuteronomy of God’s dealings with his people do all the Old Testament writers build upon? All the Old Testament authors build upon the idea of God’s blessings & curses (Deut. 11:26; 28:2; Josh. 8:34; Psa. 21:3; Prov. 28:20; Zech. 8:13; Mal. 2:2).
19. Who does Moses say should receive blessings? And who should receive curses? Moses says the obedient are to receive blessings & the disobedient are to receive curses (Deut. 28:1-2, 15-16).
20. How many human beings throughout history have been obedient to God’s covenant? Only one human being in history has been obedient to the covenant – that was Jesus, the Christ (Eccl. 7:20, 28; Dan. 9:24-27; John 8:29).
21. What should we learn from the fact that upon Jesus were poured all the covenant curses? Jesus bore all the covenant curses so that we might enjoy all the covenant blessings (2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13-14).
by Rick Marin | Dec 1, 2021 | Deuteronomy
What are the results of forgetting God?
(Deut. 4:9, 23, 32-39; 6:7; 8:7-18; Eph. 2:8-13) Blog: Nov. 28-Dec. 04, 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Deuteronomy is “the book of the covenant. God gave the Ten Commandments as his covenant of love to his people. It begins with a brief history of how he delivered them from bondage and proceeds to outline the good results that come to those who participate in it. This binding agreement of mutual love was soon broken by God’s people. It was then that God gave them a sanctuary that provided forgiveness of sins. Only through God’s grace and mercy could his people remain in covenant union with him. In that union God promised to care for them and to deliver them from every foe.
To Remember (See Present Truth V3 #2 < https://liferesearchinternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/PT.3-2.pdf> pp. 40-46)
1. For what reason does God say he set the rainbow in the sky? God set the rainbow in the sky as a token (sign) of his covenant with all living creatures – as a reminder to himself not to again destroy the earth with a flood (Gen. 9:12-15).
2. Does God need reminders of his promises? In order to understand the Bible, it is necessary to distinguish Hebrew thought from Greek thinking – for Hebrews, verbs are not abstract but rather “active,” so that “to remember” means to not just “think about” but “to act upon.” God remembers his covenant by being true to his promise (Gen. 9:15-16; Ex. 2:24; Num. 15:38-40; Acts 10:44; Rev. 18:5).
3. Although written in Greek, how does Revelation 18:5 illustrate Hebrew thinking? When God remembers Babylon’s sins it involves punishing her for them (Rev. 18:6-7).
4. What continual action were God’s people to take as they yearly remembered the Passover? Besides eating unleavened bread for a week, the children of Israel were to dedicate their firstborn to God as an act of remembering that God’s angel passed over their homes sparing the lives of their firstborn children (Ex. 12:12-14; 13:1-3; Deut. 16:3).
5. For what two reasons were God’s people to remember the Sabbath day (to keep it holy)? God’s people are to remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy as a memorial of creation & of redemption (Ex. 20:8-11; Deut. 5:12-15).
6. How were God’s people to overcome the fear of their mighty enemies? When afraid of their enemies, God’s people are to remember how God delivered them from slavery with signs & wonders (Deut. 7:17-21).
7. What did Moses want God to remember when pleading for the forgiveness of his people? Moses wanted God to remember his promises to Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob – not just bring to mind that he had made them, but to fulfill them by not destroying their descendants (Ex. 32:12-14; Lev. 26:40-45; Deut. 9:24-27).
8. How was the Feast of Pentecost to be celebrated as a form of remembrance? The whole family, together with Levites & strangers was to eat together in thankfulness for the harvest God blessed them with (Deut. 9:6-7; 15:12-15; 16:10-15).
9. Why were God’s people to remember Miriam’s leprosy? Miriam’s leprosy was to remind God’s people to follow the instruction given by the priests & Levites (Deut. 24:8-9).
10. What action was to result from remembering that God’s people had been strangers and slaves in Egypt? God’s people were to deal justly with & leave the gleanings of the harvest for the poor, the widows, & the strangers (Deut. 24:17-22).
11. When remembering how Amalek attacked them in the wilderness how were God’s people to act? God’s people were to utterly destroy (“blot out”) Amalek, not forgetting their treachery (Deut. 25:17-19).
To Forget
12. When Joseph named his firstborn son did he forget his parents and what his bothers and Potiphar had done to him? When Joseph named his firstborn son “Forgotten” (Manasseh) he was not referring to memory loss but to the joy of having a wife & children compared to the sorrow of being sold into slavery & serving time in prison (Gen. 41:51).
13. When is the most likely time that a person would forget God? The most likely time that a person would forget God is when they are greatly blessed by him (Deut. 6:10-12).
14. When blessed with prosperity, what were God’s people not to forget? God’s people are never to forget that it is he that gives power to get wealth (Deut. 8:7-18).
15. What are the sure results of forgetting God? The sure results of forgetting God are turning to worship idols & breaking God’s commandments, resulting in eternal death (Deut. 8:11, 19-20)
16. What would not forgetting their continuous rebellions help God’s people keep in mind? Remembering their constant sinning helps God’s people recognize that all God’s blessings are not due to their righteousness (Deut. 9:4-7).
To Instill
17. What would help God’s people not to forget the day and the words of the giving of his covenant Law? The sound of God’s voice accompanied by fire and trumpet blasts together with the act of teaching their children & surrounding their homes with remembrances would help God’s people not to forget the covenant made at Mount Sinai (Deut. 4:8-10; 6:7-9).
18. What would God never forget that Moses especially wanted God’s people never to forget? God would never forget the covenant he made with his people & Moses especially did not want God’s people to forget it (Deut. 4:23, 31).
19. Why does the Apostle Paul want God’s people to remember when they were unsaved? Paul wants us to rejoice in God’s grace that saves us from being outside of Christ & strangers from the covenant of promise (Eph. 2:8-14).
20. Who should we ask in order to understand God’s leading in our past history? We should ask the older brethren among us in order to better understand God’s leading in our past history (Deut. 32:7).
21. What does the Bible mean when it says that God and we will remember our sins no more? In the Bible to” remember no more” means not to relish or act upon (Isa. 65:17; Jer. 31:34; Acts 3:19; Heb. 8:12).
22. What did Moses emphasize in his closing song recorded in Deuteronomy 32? In his closing song Moses emphasized the name (character) of the Lord for he is like a great Rock, whose work is perfect, for all his ways are righteous, but his people, who are his precious inheritance, have corrupted themselves and forgotten how he led & fed them, so God was provoked & promised to punish them with hunger, exile, destruction & by making them jealous through offering his salvation to another people, for God will judge his people & be merciful to the faithful remnant who do not turn to other gods (Deut. 32:1-44; Rom. 10:19; 11:5, 32).
by Rick Marin | Nov 24, 2021 | Deuteronomy
Is it proper to conclude that we are not born with free will?
(Deut. 5:22-29; 3:1-10; Psalm 51:1-14; Heb. 11:13-16) Blog Nov. 21-27, 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: God gave the Ten Commandments as his covenant of love for his people. This covenant begins with a brief history of how he delivered them from bondage and proceeds to outline the good results that come to those who participate in it. This binding agreement of mutual love was soon broken by God’s people. It was then that God gave them a sanctuary that provided forgiveness of sins. Only through God’s grace and mercy could his people remain in covenant union with him. In that union God promised to care for them and to deliver them from every foe.
Free to choose (See Present Truth Vol 9 #3 <https://liferesearchinternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/9-3-low.pdf>
1. Were Adam and Eve created with free will to choose good or evil? Adam & Eve were created with free will to choose life or death for their natures were holy & there were two outstanding trees in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:9, 16-17; 3:22-24).
2. How was human nature affected by the sin of our first parents? When Adam sinned the nature of all his posterity was corrupted with sin & all humanity were placed under condemnation to eternal death (Psa. 51:5; Rom. 5:12-19; Eph. 2:1-5).
3. How was our free will affected by the fall of Adam? When Adam fell humanity lost the freedom to choose righteousness for every desire of their heart was only evil continually. Human beings still retained the freedom to choose what kind of evil (that of the mind or that of the flesh) they would participate in (Gen. 6:5; 8:21; Eph. 2:3).
4. If no one is born with the freedom to choose life and righteousness, how can anyone be saved? The only way anyone can be saved is if they are given light from heaven. Apart from hearing the good news of salvation they have no ability to choose life. The power of God is in the good news that he offers to all (Psa. 19:1-6; Rom. 1:17-21; 2:14-15; John 1:9).
6. Is it proper then to conclude that we are not born with free will? We are born with a will that is captive to our corrupt natures, so we are free only to choose according to our corrupt desires. Freedom to choose righteousness & life comes only through hearing the truth (Psa. 58:3; Rom. 10:6-18; Eph. 1:13).
Free from Sin
7. When a person believes the Gospel and is justified, do they then lose their corrupt nature? No, our corrupt natures are not removed at conversion. They remain in Christians until they die or are glorified (Rom. 3:10-18; 8:17; 1 Cor. 15:53; Gal. 5:17).
8. Do true Christians have free will? Yes, true Christians have free will for they are no longer under condemnation, they have passed from death unto life, & they are indwelt by God’s Holy Spirit (John 5:24; Rom. 8:1, 9, 17-21; Phil. 2:12-13; Heb. 13:20-21).
9. Is it possible for true Christians to choose righteousness & life or evil & death? Yes, Christians have freedom to choose life or death & should daily choose life (Deut. 30:19; Josh. 24:15; Isa. 56:4; Matt. 6:11).
10. If true Christians willingly choose death (separation from God) is it possible for them to later choose life again? No, if true Christians divorce themselves from God there only awaits “a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries” (Heb. 6:4-6; 10:26-30.
9. Why does Moses tell the children of Israel to turn again to God if it is not possible to be re-justified after a person loses their justification? Moses is speaking to God’s people as a nation who until Calvary had opportunity to return. Believing people in that nation & today who have backslidden but have not entirely divorced themselves from God may still return to God (Deut. 30:10 Rom. 11:17-22).
11. How many true Christians have backslidden? Because of our sinful natures we have all backslidden & daily need to return to God (to daily repent of our sins) (Matt. 6:12; Rom. 3:9-14; James 3:2).
12. What does Isaiah mean when he says that our sins separate us from God? Isaiah must be speaking of backsliding for he would never disagree with Paul who says that entire separation from God is irreversible (Psa. 51:12; Isa. 59:1-3; Heb. 6:4-6).
13. Why can Paul write that true Christians are free from sin? Paul writes that Christians are “free from sin” because although sin still remains in them, it no longer reigns in them (Rom. 6:6-14; 1 Cor. 15:53-54).
14. While there is a repentant turning of unbelievers to faith, what other form of repentance should believers experience? Believers sin daily & should repentantly ask God daily to forgive their sins (Matt. 6:12; 1 John 1:9).
15. What should believers do if they neglect daily prayer and repentance? Believers who neglect daily prayer & repentance should, like David, return to God asking & seeking him to forgive their sins & renew the joy of their salvation (Deut. 4:29-31; Psa. 51:1-12).
16. What warning does Paul give for those who continue to neglect daily repentant confession of sins? Paul warns that leaving sins unconfessed may result in hardening of the heart to the point that a person is forever separated from Christ (Heb. 3:12-13).
Free to Return
17. While backsliders have an opportunity to return to fellowship with God, what must they do in order to return? Backsliders must diligently seek God for he is not fooled by false humility or feigned repentance (Deut. 4:29-31; 30:1-10).
18. Who is Moses addressing in Deuteronomy 30 when he speaks about returning to God? In Deuteronomy 30 Moses is addressing the nation as a whole, so we should not conclude that an individual who entirely separates himself from God has an opportunity to return (Deut. 30:1-10).
19. What did Jesus say had to be added to repentance if a person is to enter the kingdom of God? Jesus said that belief in the Gospel was necessary in order to enter his kingdom — that repentance was not enough (Mark 1:15).
20. If a person truly repents will there be evidence in the life? True repentance always bears “fruits worthy of repentance” (Psa. 51:13-15; Matt. 3:1-8; Luke 3:8).
21. What do those who embrace God’s promises not consider as an option? Those who embrace God’s promises do not consider it an option to return to their former earthly home & lifestyle (like Lot’s wife did) for “they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly (Heb. 11:13-16).
by Rick Marin | Nov 15, 2021 | Deuteronomy
What must come before a person can choose life?
(Deut. 30:1-20; Rom. 10:6-10; 1 John 5:10-12) Blog Nov. 14-20, 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: In his farewell address Moses emphasized the importance of God’s covenant of love with his people. The words of this covenant are the Ten Commandments, and they begin with the words, “I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.” God’s graciousness is not only demonstrated in deliverance from bondage but also in the good results that come from obedience to his Law. It was these precepts that would make his people a great and wise nation. They were an expression of God’s love for his people, and he desired them to love him in return. God also promised to care for them and to deliver them from every foe and they were to show special care for widows, the fatherless, and strangers.
The Contrast
1. As Moses concludes his discourse what contrast does he present to God’s people? Moses presents a contrast between “life & good” or “death & evil” (Deut. 30:15).
2. What does Moses consider is “life and good”? For Moses “life & good” is to love (obey) God with all your heart & soul thus receiving all God’s blessings (Deut. 30:6, 9).
3. How does Moses say that we should enter the good life? Moses says that we enter the good life by choosing it (Deut. 30:19).
4. What does Moses say will be the result of choosing life? Moses says that those who choose life will then be able to love God, obey his voice, & cleave to him (Deut. 30:20).
5. What does the Apostle Paul say must come before a person can choose life? Paul says that no one can choose life except they hear the Gospel first (Rom. 10:14-17; Eph. 1:13).
6. Why does no one have an excuse for not believing the Gospel? Paul & David say that creation & the worldwide preaching of the Gospel leave no one with an excuse for unbelief (Psa. 19:1-6; Rom. 1:19-20; 10:18).
7. How does Moses say a person can be led to abandon the worship of the true God? Moses says that a person can be led to abandon true worship by exalting “nature” above God, by forgetting God, by being deceived, or by not continually listening to God (Deut. 4:19; 8:19; 11:16).
8. According to the book of Revelation over what issue will the final test for the world come? The world’s final test will be over the issue of worship, which is outlined in the first four commandments (Rev. 13-14).
The Knowledge
9. What must a person know before they can obey God’s Law? In order to obey God’s law a person must know what the Law requires (Psa. 25:4-5; Eph. 5:17; James 4:17).
10. In Deuteronomy 30:11-14 what does Moses emphasize about the Law? Moses emphasizes that the commandments are right before the people’s eyes so that they have no excuse for not knowing how to live according to God’s will (Deut. 30:11-14).
11. What does the Apostle Paul in Romans say is right before our eyes? Paul says that the righteousness which comes through faith is right before our eyes for it is clearly revealed in the Gospel (Rom. 10:6-8).
12. Why would Paul change the meaning of Moses’ words from “Law” to “Gospel”? Paul is a minister of the New Covenant whereas Moses was a minister of the Old Covenant, so Paul wants to show us that our hope of eternal life is in believing & confessing the Gospel rather than in our obedience to the Law (Rom. 10:9-13; John 17:3; 1 John 5:11-12).
The Means or Ability
13. What other Bible authors make the same contrast as Moses, between “life & good” or “death & evil”? Solomon, Jeremiah, Paul, & John all present the contrast between “life & good” or “death & evil” (Prov. 11:19; Jer. 21:8; Rom. 6:23; 1 John 5:12).
14. What other options apart from “life & good” or “death & evil” do we have in this life or the future life? There are no other options apart from “life & good” or “death & evil”. There is no limbo or purgatory: therefore, choose life (Deut. 30:19; Prov. 12:14).
15. When Moses tells God’s people to choose life who does he call for witnesses to God’s covenant appeal? Moses calls heaven and earth as witnesses to the fact that God has offered his people life in the everlasting covenant (Deut. 30:19).
16. Under which of the two options offered by Moses, Solomon, Jeremiah, Paul, and John, are we born? We are born condemned to eternal death (Psa. 51:5; Rom. 5:12-17).
17. What is the only means by which we can change from eternal death to eternal life? The only means by which we can change from condemnation to justification is by faith in Jesus (Rom.5:1-5; 8:1).
