Live the Word Bible Studies

Study Bible 196: Blessings

In chapters 28 and 29, God laid out the blessings and curses for those who would obey His commands—or not. The list of blessings is short (12 verses) but comprehensive, and the list of curses is also comprehensive but goes on for more than 50 verses! Let's examine some of the blessings in this entry:

"The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them" (Deuteronomy 28:12-14).

Look at those listed benefits that come from serving Him: rain, work blessings, leadership, and promotion. Who wouldn't want to experience and enjoy those blessings? When we think of obedience, we usually think of God's commands for ethical behavior, things like being honest in business dealings, loving others, and paying attention to our worship duties. Yet, there's another aspect of obedience that's implied in this promised transaction and that's the obedience to God's purpose and creativity for you.

If you go back to Exodus 31:1-11, you'll see that God created certain men with the ability to work with metal, wood, precious stones, and fabric. They were assigned the job of designing the tabernacle. We must assume that others had a similar assignment such as tending the flocks, baking, sewing, leading, building, and fixing. They were also to "obey" and express those gifts and talents, for it was through them that the Lord would bless and prosper them.

Are you enjoying the prosperity that comes from obedience? What does your obedience involve? In other words, what creativity and purpose are you pursuing and expressing? If you aren't enjoying the benefits listed in Deuteronomy 28, then what's missing in your life? Where do you need a course correction to enjoy the flow of godly success? God wants you not just to survive but thrive, but that's going to happen not just when you abstain from evil but also when you do good—the good that only you can do because it emanates from the essence of who God made you to be.

Study Bible 195: No Tools

Moses continued to give the people instructions concerning what to do when they entered the Land as we read in this passage:

"When you have crossed the Jordan into the land the Lord your God is giving you, set up some large stones and coat them with plaster. Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over to enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you. And when you have crossed the Jordan, set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I command you today, and coat them with plaster. Build there an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones. Do not use any iron tool on them. Build the altar of the Lord your God with fieldstones and offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God. Sacrifice fellowship offerings there, eating them and rejoicing in the presence of the Lord your God. And you shall write very clearly all the words of this law on these stones you have set up” (Deuteronomy 27:2-8).

The people were to erect an altar of stones, but they were not to beautify or perfect it, using man-made iron tools to smooth out the rough edges. Instead, they were to use the stones as they were, but they were to write the words of the law on them.

God was teaching the people that their worship and sacrifices at the altar weren't acceptable to Him through their effort, no matter how many sacrifices they made or how beautiful they could make their altar. Their worship was to be based on His words and the focus was to be on what God had done and was doing—not on their abilities or creativity. It was the words of the Law that sanctified the stones, not the works of the people. What's more, their sacrifices and worship weren't to be drudgery. They were to eat there, rejoicing in the presence of God.

The worship of God is a pretty simple matter of the heart, but we have often made it a flowery, ornate outward show of pomp and performance. Strive in the coming days to get in touch with the concept Paul described in 2 Corinthians 11:3: "But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ" (emphasis added).

How are your altars these days? Are they places of joy or has legalism or boredom set into your life and work? Are you doing what gives you joy and worshiping God through it, or working to get a check? Are you worshiping God in spirit and truth—the truth of who you are and the beauty of who He is? What can you do to instill an element of wonder and exhilaration in the work of your hands?

Purpose Study Bible 194: Praise, Glory, and Honor

You would think that the title of this entry applies to God and His due, but that's not the case:

"And the Lord has today declared you to be His people, His personal possession, just as He promised you, and that you are to keep all His commandments; and that He will put you high above all the nations which He has made, for glory, fame, and honor; and that you shall be a consecrated people to the Lord your God, just as He has spoken" (Deuteronomy 26:18-19 NASB).

Those three terms are assigned to God's people, which of course today is identified as the church. However, for the church to be assigned praise, glory, and honor means that the individuals in the church are the ones doing the work and performing the ministry that will result in praise, glory, and honor.

I'm sure that makes you a bit uncomfortable, for we have been taught that all praise and honor belong to God. Yet think of God's servants in the Bible, people like Paul, Joseph, David, Mary, Esther, and Peter. Haven't they received those three things having served the Lord with distinction? In fact, when they do, God also receives praise, glory, and honor along with them. Of course, the problem comes in when people specifically seek those things as their main destination instead of seeing them as a byproduct of fulfilling their purpose, expressing their creativity, and having faith.

Are you pursuing excellence in all you do as Paul directed? "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Colossians 3:23-24). Will you allow God to use your work, your reputation, your face in any way He sees fit to further His kingdom and establish His work through you in the hearts and minds of others? Do you give Him permission to make you a household name if He so chooses?

You gave your life to the Lord; you didn't loan it to Him. Now you are "holy," set apart for Him for a specific purpose. Thus, He can use it as He sees fit and bestow on you any honor, burden, assignment, or destination that furthers His plans for your life, work, and ministry. And you may just be the bait, the attraction, or the source that God wants to use to touch many people with the good news of His love.

Purpose Study Bible 193: Past, Present, Future

In Study 109, we examined the concept of firstfruits, which was the practice of taking some of an initial harvest and dedicating it to the Lord by placing some of it on the altar. In this week's lesson, we revisit the purpose of this offering:

"So the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders. He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, Lord, have given me" (Deuteronomy 26:8-10).

The firstfruits offering had three time dimensions to it as we see from these verses. There was a past aspect, for the one offering it was to remember the way the Lord had brought the people out of Egypt. Then there was a present component, for the offering represented God's faithfulness today as evidenced by the crop that was harvested and then being offered on the altar.

Finally, the offering was made with an eye on the future, for the giver was saying, "I'm devoting any early portion of my harvest to signify that I'm trusting the Lord for the remainder of the harvest. I have faith that the weather and other conditions will allow me to gather so I don't have to hold on to these 'firstfruits' to the Lord because there's plenty more coming."

Firstfruits weren't given as a means to protect the future harvest; they were given because God had promised the harvest would be plentiful. They weren't an insurance policy against disaster; they were a faith statement that the future provision was guaranteed because the God of the future was their God, and He had been faithful, is faithful, and would continue to be faithful.

What is your faith giving like today? Are you holding back what you can give today because you may need it tomorrow? Have you forgotten how God has taken care of you in the past, thus losing confidence that He'll continue to do so today and the day after? Is your giving a statement about the past, present, and future—that God is the God of all three and has always done a good job of overseeing your provision?

When the people gave the first fruits of their harvest, they made a strong statement that God was, is, and will be their provider. Give some thought as to how you can apply this faith principle to your situation today and then give some firstfruits as an indication of your confidence in the God of your provision.

Purpose Study Bible 192: Good Business

It's ideal when God positions you to earn your living from your purpose and creativity. When that occurs, it's important for you to manage the business end of things. As you do, keep in mind that God is watching:

"Do not have two differing weights in your bag—one heavy, one light. Do not have two differing measures in your house—one large, one small. You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. For the Lord your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly" (Deuteronomy 25:13-16).

We see this principle reiterated in Proverbs 20:11: "Differing weights and differing measures—the Lord detests them both." What does this mean exactly?

Let's say a merchant was selling a pound of something. They would put a one pound or kilo weight on one side of the scale and then measure out the product for sale on the other side. If they were dishonest, they would have a weight marked "one pound," but in reality it was less than a pound, so the customer thought they were getting a certain weight when in reality they were being cheated—paying for more than they received.

Jesus addressed this matter as well when He said,

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?" (Luke 16:10-12).

Are you learning good business practices for the day when you earn your living from what God created you to do? Have you given thought to such matters as customer service, financial management, employee relations and compensation, and your own wealth management? The time to prepare for business success isn't when you get into business but before. So spend some time now while you are still learning how to market and sell your creativity to also prepare for your eventual financial success.

Purpose Study Bible 191: Feed the Ox

Moses addressed many topics as he prepared the people for the Promised Land and this verse could be easily overlooked since it's found in the midst of how to settle legal disputes:

"You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain" (Deuteronomy 25:4).

We would miss its intended impact and application if it wasn't for what Paul wrote centuries later:

For the law of Moses says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” Was God thinking only about oxen when he said this? Wasn’t he actually speaking to us? Yes, it was written for us, so that the one who plows and the one who threshes the grain might both expect a share of the harvest. Since we have planted spiritual seed among you, aren’t we entitled to a harvest of physical food and drink? (1 Corinthians 9:9-11).

God wasn't really addressing care for oxen but rather the need for people who work in a certain "field" to be able to harvest from that field to meet their needs. This principle doesn't just apply to employers, it also applies to God Himself. If He assigns you a purpose and gives you creative gifts, then He must allow you to reap your support from those things—or supply your needs through some other means. It's only right and fair, and Jesus promised as much when He said,

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need" (Matthew 6:31-33).

God isn't offended when you bring your needs to Him and He doesn't mind when you remind Him of His promises. Do you see God as your ultimate employer, the one who is obligated to provide if He expects you to serve Him? Is it time that you and God had a heart-to-heart talk about your provision for your Kingdom work? Are you reminding God of this promise where your financial needs are concerned? You are more valuable to God than an ox, and you should expect a return for your Kingdom work if not from others, then directly from God Himself.

Purpose Study Bible 190: Inadvertently Generous

God addressed what His people were to do if they accidentally left some of their harvest in the field:

"When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands" (Deuteronomy 24:19).

When produce was left in the field, the poor could then glean the leftovers, and God promised to bless the farmer who left the crops in the field, even though leaving it there was an oversight. Earlier in this study, we saw that God commanded this less-than-total harvest to occur as a strategy to care for the poor:

“When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God" (Leviticus 19:9-10).

How can you apply this principle today in your purpose and creativity? You're not going to be able to make money from all that you do—and that's okay. When you share a testimony on social media, you're leaving it "out there" for others to gather, learn from, and enjoy. When you make your creativity accessible through public viewings and other means, you're enabling people to enjoy and benefit from the gift God has given you at no cost to them. When you invest in making yourself better at who you are and what you do, without thinking of how you can make more money from your investment, you're allowing others to glean from the field of your gift or talent.

Are you only putting yourself out for hire and pay, or do you have a strategy of how you can share some of who you are and what you do with others at no cost to them? Are you willing to allow God to bring others to you who will enjoy what you do and be encouraged or blessed by it? Are you willing to be more public and less private? Keep in mind what Jesus said in Matthew 10:8b, "Freely you have received; freely give" and then make a way for others to benefit from who God has made you to be—especially the poor.

Purpose Study Bible 189: Business Matters

As the Lord prepared the people for life in the Land, He touched on every area of life and relationships, even on employers regarding their payroll habits:

"Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise they may cry to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty of sin" (Deuteronomy 24:14-16).

This is reminiscent of what James wrote centuries later:

Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty (James 5:1-4).

There are two ways to look at these warnings. The first is that if you're in a position to pay people, you must do just that: Pay them! Don't play games with people's money to benefit your own situation. Also, if you've made donation pledges to a nonprofit organization, pay them! If you don't, you're in a sense hindering them paying their workers and thus indirectly responsible.

Finally, if an employer or client owes you money, take it to the Lord. In both passages, we see that the aggrieved party cries out to the Lord and He hears them, and the implication is that God takes up the matter and cause of the worker. Are you owed money for your purpose or creative work? Do the best you can to collect, but don't hesitate to call out to God for help.

If you're an employer, do you owe anyone their wages? Do you make those people "jump through hoops" to get what's rightfully theirs? God is interested in your business affairs, whether you're a worker or manager, and is willing to represent your interests if you're wronged. Just make sure you're not the one doing the wronging.

Purpose Study Bible 188: Focus

God went into great detail at times when He was instructing the people of what they were to do in the Land. At times He covered weighty matters of national defense, at other times, He went over how to plant their fields:

"Do not plant two kinds of seed in your vineyard; if you do, not only the crops you plant but also the fruit of the vineyard will be defiled. Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together. Do not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together"(Deuteronomy 22:9-11).

It seems God was quite concerned with their ability to feed themselves which involved bearing fruit in their fields. And we learned from Jesus that God is still interested in how we plant our fields so that we can bear fruit, but this time it's spiritual fruit: "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you" (John 15:16).

He is so desirous of us bearing fruit that He promises to give us whatever we need and ask for that will assist us in bearing that fruit. However, if you don't stay focused on what it is you do best and plant seed, so to speak, in those areas, then your efforts will be diluted and ineffective.

Do you have a lot of ideas, so many that you don't know on what you should focus? Are you involved in too many things which is causing you to divert your energy from producing abundant fruit in a specific area of work or ministry? Are you afraid of focusing on too little for fear that it will impact your ability to pay the bills or for fear that you can't really be effective by planting seed for just one 'crop'?

Your point of greatest effectiveness for God will be in the areas where you're most creative and purposeful. Set your focus on those areas and then be about the business of bearing much fruit as Jesus promised you would, which may mean saying no to some things so you can yes to others.

Purpose Study Bible 187: Take Care of Your Fruit Trees

In Deuteronomy 20, God laid out what the people needed to do when they entered the Land and approached a city to offer terms of surrender. If they refused, then they were to lay siege to that town. Yet the Lord felt the need to include this directive that would seem to be common sense:

"When you lay siege to a city for a long time, fighting against it to capture it, do not destroy its trees by putting an ax to them, because you can eat their fruit. Do not cut them down. Are the trees people, that you should besiege them? However, you may cut down trees that you know are not fruit trees and use them to build siege works until the city at war with you falls" (Deuteronomy 20:19-20).

It speaks to preserving what it is that bears fruit in your life and that gives you some measure of life, comfort, and peace. If that's a place where you seek the Lord and find Him, then honor and preserve that place. If it's a time of day, month or year, then do all you can to keep that time holy and set apart. If it's an activity that brings you joy, that stimulates your creativity, that refreshes your mind, then by all means engage in that activity as often as possible. If it's recreation, then play hard and without guilt that you are wasting time. For me, it's live sport events, stamp collecting, certain types of movies, and travel. What is it for you?

Have you allowed your fruit trees to be damaged or destroyed? In other words, do you take care of you? If your life's a wreck and you're under siege, can you still preserve some portion of it for yourself, to write, sculpt, think, rhyme, or recreate? If your life isn't spinning out of control, then have you fashioned and shaped your time to be creative to the max? It's important to know what bears fruit and nourishes you as you walk through life, and once you know, it's important to do all you can to protect those things as the gifts from God that they are.