Day 74 —  Now that we’ve passed Day 66, we have established a “habit.” So CELEBRATE our habit of daily Bible reading! We are in the THIRD month so far! Praise God!

   Day 74– Deuteronomy 11 – 13 (Love, discipline, & obedience, Holy Worship, False Prophets)

Moses continues his admonitions to Israel in Chapter 11, urging them 1) to LOVE their God (who loves them) and 2) to KEEP his charge, statutes, rules, and commandments, and 3) to CONSIDER the discipline of their God for their good, and 4) to REMEMBER His care for them in the wilderness.  Oh, the blessings that will follow, if they do these!

Then Moses offers them two choices. “See, I am setting before you today a BLESSING  and a CURSE; the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you today, and the curse if you do NOT obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way…and go after gods that you have not know.” Their choice.

In Chapter 12, Moses tells them God will choose a place where He will dwell and where they are to worship Him. No longer will He be in the center of their camp, but in a permanent place in the Promised Land. BUT they are still to come there to offer their burnt sacrifices, no matter how far away they live.

They are also to tear down all the alters and pagan worship places they encounter in the land, and not be tempted to worship false gods there.  God also now says they can slaughter and eat meat whenever they wish, and not first offer it to God.

Moses then gives stern warning against false prophets or “dreamers” in Chapter 13. Even if these men speak truth, and what they say comes to pass, IF THEY LEAD TO IDOL WORSHIP, they are to be stoned to death, so that “evil will be purged from Israel’s midst.”  EVEN IF their close relatives tempt them secretly to go serve other gods, they are to be killed.

LOVE the LORD only, and SERVE HIM only.