BIAY - Passing the Mantle
Deuteronomy 31-34, Psalm 49
Welcome to the Bible in a Year for 2025. Intro to this series and resource links available here, plus here’s how I’m approaching this year.
Scriptures for Today:
Reflection:
Passing the torch (Deut. 31:6-8) - The time has come for Moses to hand over leadership to Joshua. His words are powerful and we will read them again (soon, in fact): “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” This is language that will be picked up in Joshua 1:5-9 as well—almost exactly as written here. If you’ve every memorized a version of this, it was likely from Joshua 1:9. If you haven’t, please do! Holding onto God’s command to “be strong and courageous” is important because life demands it. And holding onto God’s promises to Joshua, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” and “for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” is a great source of strength for us.
“Not just idle words for you” (Deut. 32:44-47) - I love this line in verse 47: “They are not just idle words for you, they are your life.” Moses has recited the covenant story and he has summarized God’s saving work and the people’s waffling between faithful and unfaithful. He has emphasized the real choice between blessings and curses that God has laid out before them. He has exhorted them to take the covenant to heart, to obey God’s commands, and to teach them to the next generation. Why are these words so important? They are not idle words (like so many words in our lives are treated). They are words of life! This brings to mind the hymn, “Wonderful Words of Life.”
“Whom the Lord knew face to face” (Deut. 34:10-12) - So Moses surveys the land from the mountaintop, then dies and is buried. How will we be remembered? These words about Moses proclaim what an impact and legacy this unlikely and imperfect yet faithful servant of God had: “'Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.”
Questions:
When have you stepped up to a new challenge and needed the presence of God with you?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, you have spoken words of wisdom to us and given us understanding. Grant us hearts, minds, and ears to listen and receive them. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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