In Deuteronomy 17:14–18:14, Moses instructs Israel on life under God’s rule as they enter the land—addressing the king, the priest, and the customs that must never mark God’s people. This message clears away common misconceptions about theocracy and shows instead God’s wise design of complementary spheres under his supreme authority. We see the requirements for a godly king, the calling and provision of the priests as ministers of the word, and the absolute prohibition of the occult practices of the…
In this message we see God’s call for his people to appoint wise judges and pursue “justice, and only justice” according to his righteous standard. Moses instructs Israel that true justice refuses bribes and perversion, will not tolerate false worship or covenant-breaking treason, and upholds order through proper authority—all so that the people may live and flourish in the land. Far from being a distraction from the gospel, this concern for justice flows from it and ultimately points us to…
We continue our series through Moses’ final sermons as he calls Israel to observe the appointed holy feasts and festivals. These sacred times formed Israel’s calendar, creating a yearly rhythm that kept God’s deliverance, provision, and covenant faithfulness at the center of their lives. Our calendar reveals who and what we worship. As shadows pointing to their substance in Christ, Israel’s festivals challenge us to examine our own weekly and yearly rhythms. Does the Lord’s Day serve as the anchor and priority…
In this message from Deuteronomy 15, we tackle one of the most misunderstood and avoided topics in Scripture: slavery. Far from endorsing the brutal chattel slavery of later history, God’s law in the Old Testament regulated indentured servitude in ways that protected human dignity, restrained abuse, demanded justice, and required generous provision upon release. We explore the historical and cultural context, the clear boundaries God placed on servitude among his people, and how Israel’s own experience of slavery in Egypt…
