Choose Life (Daily Portion 10306)
The Lord promises that He will restore the scattered Israelites to the land of promise when they repent and return to Him. Continued possession of the land is based on obedience to the commandments of God. This day the Israelites have a choice to make between blessing and cursing; between life and death. God pleads with them to choose life.
What Does It Say?
- The Lord will bring Israel “into the land which thy fathers _____________, and thou shalt ___________ it.
- “For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not __________ from thee, neither is it _______ off.”
- The word is very nigh unto thee, in thy _______, and in thy _________, that thou mayest do it.
- But if they turn to other gods, God will say to them, I _____________ unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish.
- "I have set before you life and _______, blessing and _________: therefore choose ________."
What Does It Mean?
- Circumcision was given as the token or sign of the covenant with Abraham. In this passage (v.6), God promises that He will circumcise their hearts. Read this verse carefully. Compare it with Acts 7:51Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
See All... and Romans 2:29But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
See All.... Tell what you think God is referring to when He speaks of an uncircumcised heart. - Verse 9 mentions the blessings of God on Israel when they return to the Lord. He will make them plenteous in every work “for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good.” Notice the use of the phrase “for good.” Compare it with the same phrase in Romans 8:28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
See All.... In what ways do the two passages compare? - What does it mean to love the Lord your God (see verse 16)? Describe how this love is acted out in our lives.
What Does It Mean to Me?
- When they return to the Lord, He will turn their captivity and have compassion on them (v.3). Apply this captivity and return from captivity to times in the Christian life. What are some of the times of captivity you have gone through? How did you find deliverance from captivity?
- The Israelites are told to cleave unto the Lord, “for he is thy life, and the length of thy days” (v.20). What do you think this means? How does it apply to our lives today? How does this teaching compare with Colossians 3:4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
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Suggested Memory Verses
Deuteronomy 30:11-14 [11] For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.
[12] It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
[13] Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
[14] But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
See All..., Deuteronomy 30:19I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
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