Remember, Remember, Remember!

Reading Through the Bible in 2010 (Deut. 1-2)

“These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel on this side of the Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain opposite Suph, between Paran, Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab.” Deut. 1:1

“Grandma, remember you are loved by all!”

February 25^th was my 67^th birthday. I thought it would be a rather nondescript occasion. 67 is heading toward the middle of 65 and 70. Who would pay much attention to this one? Surely not me - but everyone else seemed to. In fact, I was a bit overwhelmed by the love that was showered on me this birthday. I’d like to tell you about every wonderful thing that happened, but my grandson, Christopher did something that fits in well with today’s Bible reading.

He made me a bright yellow card and on it he had written the words, “Grandma, remember you are loved by all.” Then he had added the words remember, remember, remember!

That is what Moses is doing today as we start the book of Deuteronomy - remembering. He is speaking to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. He is giving them a charge and telling them to think back about what has happened to them since the time they left Egypt forty years before.

Deuteronomy has even been called “The Book of Remembrance.” It covers about one month as the children of Israel camp on the plains of Moab east of the Jordan River. They are so ready to enter the land of Canaan. As Moses deliverers his instructions, I can picture the Israelites looking at him with the water flowing behind him and the Land of Milk and Honey visible just beyond. I know what Moses looked like because of the movie, “The Ten Commandments.” He is now 120 years old - nearly twice my nondescript age - as he starts his series of farewell messages that make up Deuteronomy.

The Book of Rememberings has other names. The Hebrew title means “The Words.” Moses gives them in oral and written form so that they will endure to all generations. Deuteronomy is also called “five-fifths of the Law” since it completes the Pentateuch – the five books of Moses.

Moses delivers three sermons to the Israelites in Deuteronomy. They have a simple theme. Remember what happened when you obeyed God? Remember how bad things became when you didn’t obey Him? Christopher's words: remember, remember, remember!

It is important for us to bear in mind that this is a generation whose parents have all died in the wilderness wanderings because of their lack of faith. Only Joshua and Caleb remain. The Israelites Moses is speaking to have seen the graphic results of disobedience. They need to be instructed and encouraged to obey the Law given 40 years before at Mt. Sinai.

Birthdays remind us that we are crossing rivers into new years filled with giants. Uncertainty and fear are stationed around every turn on our journeys through life. Will we meet these giants with fear or with faith? It's always there- looming in front of us on our Christian walk- the faith or fear question! Isn't it so much easier to hunker down in front of the TV and cater to our couch potato sides? Who wants to get up and take a risk anyway? It is especially difficult because, well, risks are risky. They can even result in failure. Getting involved with life is difficult – having a neighborhood Bible Study, reaching out to hurting friends, cooking a meal for a homeless shelter, coming to the aid of babies being aborted - the precarious list of things God calls us to do goes on and on. Leaving our recliners to go into the unknown is so unknownish. It doesn’t seem safe at all.

Moses' reminder is so significant! We need to remember, remember, remember what has happened in the past when we obeyed God. As we think back upon what God has already done, our hearts are strengthened for the future. Let’s determine to respond to His call in obedience even when it doesn’t seem safe, When we respond in obedience, He takes care of the giants in His own marvelous way – just like He has always done in the past.

Hudson Taylor said, “God’s command is His enabling.” What a great birthday reminder for a new year of life!

Remember, remember, remember!