Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
It can be very hard for us to read some of the Old Testament stories of violence and conquest with their overtones of genocide and ethnic cleansing. We need to remind ourselves constantly that Deuteronomy was written a long time ago, and look for the enduring truths God speaks to us through it.
In this chapter Moses stresses that when the original inhabitants of Canaan were replaced by the Israelites, it wasn't just a land grab or an exercise of brute power: they were being judged for their sins. Moreover, the Israelites weren't blameless either: 'After the LORD your God has driven them out for you, do not say to yourselves that he brought you in to possess this land because you deserved it. No, the LORD is going to drive these people out for you because they are wicked' (verse 4).
So it's not that the Israelites were good, but that the other side was worse. In this chapter Moses lists examples of Israel's sins and failures, including worshipping the Golden Calf – they have nothing to be proud of.
So the message here is that when they're on the brink of victory – the end of all their wanderings and the entry into Canaan at last – they shouldn't be proud or self-satisfied. They are sinners whose only hope is the grace of God. Believers today are called to the same humility. We have nothing to be proud of either; but we have much to be grateful for.
God, keep me humble, I pray. Help me to remember that everything I have comes from you. When things are going well for me, let me never forget that I owe it all to you.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society’s Editor
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