Let me Pour Out My Blessings On You: Deuteronomy 14

dasparling blogspot

As you filter through all the do's and don't of Deuteronomy 14 you may be tempted to skip on through to 15 without a second glance. Don't do it. If we slow down and take a quieter stroll through the chapter, just like birds in the trees, we will hear some phrases the author was trying to make heard.
As Moses goes back through the each do and don't's that God has given to Israel he begins and ends each section with touching phrases;
you are the children of the Lord "SO" don't do this; Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the Lord has chosen you to be his treasured possession, "SO" don't do these detestable things that other nations do.

"BECAUSE"

You are a people holy to the Lord your God

Then after explaining that they should set aside a portion of all God has given them so that they can celebrate His goodness in His presence, Moses reminds them that God is kind, compassionate and generous. They are to be like Him. They are to make provisions for the poor, the orphan, the widow and the foreigner. They must do this so that,

the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands Exodus 14:29b

God is a Father, and just like any good father, He loves to give good things to us, to bless us, but first and most important He wants to be sure that what He does is for our good. He is a GOOD father.

He knows that what is best for us is to be in relationship with Him.

His best blessing is more of Himself, to be with Him, to be close to Him, to be in relationship with Him: this is to be truly Blessed!!

This is the message in Deuteronomy 14 "I have chosen you to be in relationship with you, do these things so that I can bless you"

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; ...
Psalm 1:1-6