the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 1 of 5
Deuteronomy 31:7-18
Having commanded all Israel to be strong and to be of good courage (v. 6), Moses addresses the same words to Joshua (v. 7). The source of courage is the same in both cases: the LORD who walks with them.
Moses wrote the law. What remains is that it must be read! Moreover a final instruction is given relating to the periodic reading of the divine commandments before a gathering of the whole of Israel: men, women and children. For what purpose? "That they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law" (v. 12). It is for these same reasons that we hold our assembly meetings where the word of God is read and meditated upon. The children should be there along with their parents. Dear young friends, do not neglect these gatherings "as the manner of some is" (Hebrews 10:25).
Why, after having promised Israel that He would never forsake her (v. 6) does the LORD announce: "and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them" (v. 17)? Because in between times it was the people who were to forsake their God and break His covenant (v. 16). However a final promise was made by the mouth of the prophet Hosea: "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely" (Hosea 14:4).
