Thoughts on Deuteronomy 19: The Lord God made promises to His people for a future land. He also planned for proper protection for His people interacting in that land. Chapter 19 renders some legal aid for matters of life, property, and testimony. As Raymond Brown stated, “God’s realism is more vividly portrayed in Deuteronomy than anywhere else in the Bible. He makes careful provision for life as it is, not how some would like it to be. The people are about to enter a ‘land flowing with milk and honey’ but the Lord knows that, however beautiful the land, it…
Sunday Morning Calls to Worship
Call to Worship February 2 2020
Thoughts from Deuteronomy 18: In this chapter Moses reminds God’s people of three specific ways He cares for His people. They were in need of atonement, protection, and prophecy. Moses previously reminded the people of their need for atonement before the Holy God. This atonement was pictured in the sacrificial system purposed by God. Not only did God provide the consistent reminder of their need, he also provided the method and the custodians of that system. The priests were to be responsible for upkeep of the temple and all of the workings of the sacrificial system for the good of…
Call to Worship January 26 2020
THE POOR MAN’S OLD TESTAMENT COMMENTARY Robert Hawker “Verse 1 CONTENTS The subject of the divine laws is continued through this Chapter. Moses under GOD’S authority, points out the unblemished state required of the animals to be offered in sacrifice; of the punishment of idolaters: of controversies in judgment: of the election of a king; and of special duties required of him. Deuteronomy 17:1 I hope the Reader will not overlook, in the frequent notice which he must have made in the several parts of Moses’ writings, concerning the unblemished state of the animals to be offered in sacrifice, how…
Call to Worship January 19 2020
Deuteronomy 16 “The idea of ‘celebration’ played a prominent part in the worshiping life of the Hebrew people. The people owed more to the Lord than any of them realized. He knew that it would be harmful for them if his mighty acts were allowed to slip from their memories. Yet, the pressure of life was such that, all too easily, the people could forget what he had done for them. Without intending to do so, they would gradually become preoccupied with materialistic things and begin to adopt an ungrateful, selfish and loveless lifestyle. It still happens. When people have…
Call to Worship January 12 2020
Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Bible “Deuteronomy 15 Verses 10-11 III. Here is a command to give cheerfully whatever we give in charity: “Your heart shall not be grieved when you give, Deuteronomy 15:10. Be not unwilling to part with your money on so good an account, nor think of it begrudgingly in unkindness to your brother or in distrust of the providence of God…on the contrary, let it be a pleasure and a satisfaction of soul to you to think that you are honoring God with your substance, doing good, giving your brother relief, and laying up for yourself…
Call to Worship January 5 2020
THE POOR MAN’S OLD TESTAMENT COMMENTARY by Robert Hawker “DEUTERONOMY 14:1-2 There is a vast deal of gospel in this, and if read under the teaching of the HOLY GHOST; with an eye to the covenant mercies of GOD in CHRIST, it will not fail to bring sweet comfort to the soul. My brother! let me ask you or rather beg you to ask your own heart, are you of the children of the LORD your GOD? Are you distinguished from the ungodly world in being set apart for GOD’S glory, the purchase of JESUS’S blood, the subject of the HOLY…
Call to Worship December 29 2019
THE POOR MAN’S OLD TESTAMENT COMMENTARY by Robert Hawker “Verse 1 CONTENTS God the Holy Ghost is here celebrating the glory and praise of Christ, and his Church in him; and showing what a vast accession of redeemed souls shall pour into the Redeemer’s kingdom in the latter-day glory. Verses 1-3 I beg to be understood as speaking with all due humility, on a subject so infinitely sublime and glorious; and rather as asking than deciding upon it; but I venture to say, it strikes me that the person here spoken to, is Christ, the glorious Head of his Church,…
Call To Worship December 22 2019
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke by J.C. Ryle “Let us mark, fourthly — the hymn of praise which the heavenly host sang in the hearing of the shepherds. They said, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.’ These famous words are variously interpreted. Man is by nature so dull in spiritual things, that it seems as if he cannot understand a sentence of heavenly language when he hears it. Yet a meaning may be drawn from the words which is free from any objection, and is not only good sense, but excellent theology. ‘Glory…
Call To Worship December 15 2019
THE POOR MAN’S OLD TESTAMENT COMMENTARY by Robert Hawker “Isaiah 7-Verses 10-15 Reader! do not forget again, in the perusal of this most blessed scripture, to observe how the Lord takes occasion from man’s unworthiness to magnify the riches of his grace. So, indeed, the Lord hath done from the beginning. The fall of Adam made way for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh! what wonders are found in the subject of redeeming grace! How blessed is it to see God’s graciousness! The Lord had sent his servant, the prophet, on a message to Ahaz, to comfort him, notwithstanding…
Call to Worship December 8, 2019
THE POOR MAN’S OLD TESTAMENT COMMENTARY by Robert Hawker REFLECTIONS “MY soul! behold to what temptations thou art exposed, not only from false prophets and false teachers, but also from false friends and relations. How hath the GOD of this word blinded the minds of men and brought them over to his interests! How doth that prince of the power of the air, as he is called by the apostle, still work in the children of disobedience! And how doth he govern them, direct them, and influence them, by his secret insinuations, to dishonour GOD themselves, and prompt others by their…