“Hear, Israel: You are now about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you… But be assured today that the Lord your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them… After the Lord your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself, ‘The Lord has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness.’ No, it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is going to drive them out before you. Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the Lord your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people.” (v1,3-4,6)
God through Moses is very clear to Israel that the land they are inheriting is not because they have done anything to earn or deserve it – “for they are a stiff-necked people” (ie. stubborn, rebellious). They are only being given this land out of the grace of God, and because the people who currently possess it are even more wicked than Israel (beyond seeking redemption). We could easily go a couple of ways with this – a discussion on what the phrase “the lesser of two evils” means, or we could talk about the grace of God… I think we’ll talk about God’s grace.
One of my favorite verses on grace comes from Paul, an expert on the subject: “He has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time…” (1 Tim 1:9) Paul, in different words, confirms what Moses said – Israel has done nothing to deserve God’s blessings and grace – in fact Moses reminds us they deserve God’s wrath.
Paul also adds this powerful statement: “This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time”. Fascinating. We know Jesus was with God since before the very beginning (see Jn 1), and Paul adds that grace through Jesus was also intended for us from the beginning.
What I’m suggesting is all those times Israel provoked God’s anger, He relented from destroying them because of His higher purpose for the people, and the predestined grace of Jesus (Moses’/Aaron’s countless intercessory prayers also helped). According to Paul, God, being all-knowing, predestined Jesus to die for our sin, before He even created the world and us. Grace through Jesus was not a “Plan B”, it was God’s one and only plan from before the very beginning.
Now where do we fit into this big picture today? How about our personal standing with God and Jesus – are we continually requesting and accepting the grace and forgiveness of God through Jesus, to cleanse all of our sin (I say continually, because we all continue to sin)? Are we in turn sharing the grace of God with those around us? Shortly before going into prison, Paul’s parting words to the church at Ephesus included these: “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (Ac 20:24) My challenge today is to accept God’s grace, and follow in the footsteps of Paul, sharing the good news of God’s grace with any who will listen.
Father God, Great and Mighty King, most gracious and loving Lord, we praise Your holy name. May heaven and earth rejoice at the sound of Your voice, and may Your grace be known to all the earth. Father we thank You for Your forgiveness available through Jesus’ death on the cross. We also thank You in advance for emboldening us to share Your grace and mercy with the people of this world. Would we speak the words provided by Your Spirit, and would the people’s hearts, which You have prepared, joyfully receive those words. For all this, to You be the glory and honor, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training