Victory will come says Moses

Deuteronomy Chapter 9

Moses tells the Israelites that they are going to cross the river and find nations much more powerful then they are. Nations that have cities that reach the sky. A people live there who are strong and tall and are descendants of the Anakite giants. But, he reminds them that the Lord will subdue them so they can be quickly conquered and driven out.

Moses reminds the Israelites that when they have driven out the Anakite giants, not to get all puffed up and think this was done because they the Israelites are righteous. No, God wants them to drive the other nations out because of their wickedness and to fulfill the oath God made to the Israelite ancestors.

Then Moses goes on in verses 7-14 describing the anger of God at Mt. Sinai and the tablets made of stone inscribed with the covenant God made with the people. And Moses breaking the stone commandments, and the golden calf- an idol made in sin against God. The Lord wanted to destroy Aaron at that moment, but Moses prayed for him and he was spared. So Moses melted down the golden calf and ground it into fine dust and threw it into the stream.

Later God was made angry when the people rebelled against the command of God and didn't trust him to help them take the land. And Moses fell down before the Lord for forty days and night when he was about to destroy the people and he prayed to God to spare them. And God overlooked the people's stubbornness and sins.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW the Anakites were seven to nine feet tall. Goliath was probably a descendant of this race and was over nine feet tall. These people used their stature to intimidate others instead of for noble causes. It was their appearance and bad reputation that kept the Israelites from the promised land forty years previous and Moses needed to use all his power to convince the people God could handle the Anakites.He wanted no unbelief from these stubborn people.

How does this chapter relate to us today? Unbelief can lead to sins and problems everywhere. Sometimes we may feel lost. I'm sure the Israelites felt the same way. But if we look to God for help, things have a way of working out. It was so true for the stubborn people of Israel and true for us in today's world. Don't let fear of change and fear of the unknown shackle you. God is your guide and by his grace he is always at your side. Take a deep breath and take the plunge knowing he is with you.
Praise be to God!

Yours in Christ,
Mary