Someone gave me this poem when my great-grandmother died about two weeks before Christmas.  I shared it with the family, and it meant a lot to all of us.  I checked on the internet, and found it was quite popular, but I can't find an author.  Should anyone know who the author is, please let me know so I can give them credit.

My Christmas in Heaven

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below.
With tiny lights, like Heaven's stars, reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away that tear,
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear,
but the sound of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring,
for it is beyond description to hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart,
but I am not so far away, we really aren't apart.
So be happy for me dear ones.  You know I hold you dear,
and be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I send you each a special gift from my heavenly home above,
I send you each a memory of my undying love.
After all, "love" is the gift, more precious than pure gold.
It was always most important in the stories that Jesus told.
Please love and keep each other, as my father said to do,
for I can't count the blessings or the love He has for each of you.
So, have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear.
Remember, I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

~Reading: Deuteronomy: Chapter 4

(1-8) "Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. In your observance of the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I enjoin upon you, you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it. You have seen with your own eyes what the Lord did at Baal-peor: the Lord, your God, destroyed from your midst everyone that followed the Baal of Peor; but you, who clung to the Lord, your God, are all alive today. Therefore, I teach you the statutes and decrees as the Lord, my God, has commanded me, that you may observe them in the land you are entering to occupy. Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statues and say, 'This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.' For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? Or what great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?"

(25-26) "When you have children and grandchildren, and have grown old in the land, should you then degrade yourselves by fashioning an idol in any form and by this evil done in his sight provoke the Lord, your God, I call heaven and earth this day to witness against you, that you shall all quickly perish from the land which you will occupy when you cross the Jordan. You shall not live in it for any length of time but shall be promptly wiped out."

(36-39) "Out of the heavens he let you hear his voice to discipline you; on earth he let you see his great fire, and you heard him speaking out of the fire. For love of your fathers he chose their descendants and personally led you out of Egypt by his great power, driving out of your way nations greater and mightier than you, so as to bring you in and to make their land your heritage, as it is today. This is why you must now know, and fix in your heart, that the Lord is God in the heavens above and on earth below, and there is no other."

Holding the position of a Judge was a highly respected occupation.  The original judges chosen by the people before the conquest, of course, died over time and were replaced.  Future judges, scholars, and lawyers (who were consulted on matters of the law) were also highly respected. 

~~~~~Lesson: Deuteronomy: Chapters 2-3

At the end of the reading, Moses pleads with God to be allowed to set foot on the Promised Land.  God denies him, still punishing him for his sin of pride earlier (when he claimed to be the one who provided water from the rock).

Moses, clearly, committed the sin of pride. Which "sin" do you commit most often?

Do you feel you are punished when you commit this sin?

Much of the conquest material re-iterated in Deut is in disagreement with the earlier account in Numbers.  Part of this is due to abbreviation.  The author(s) of Deut were not re-writing Numbers, they were attempting to compress the entire conquest into the opening verses.  Other material in disagreement points to later authors adding to the book of Deut, as stated in the “author” section preceding Deut.  

Do the disagreements between Numbers and Deut cause you to doubt the authorship, accuracy, or basis of either book?  


~Reading: Deuteronomy: Chapters 2-3

Chapter 2: Covers the initial lands taken over by the Israelites after the 40 years of wandering. Material is covered more extensively in Numbers. This is simply a brief overview that Moses gave to later generations.

Chapter 3: Contains further information on the conquests.

(3:23-29) "And it was that that I besought the Lord, 'O Lord God, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and might. For what god in heaven or on earth can perform deeds as mighty as yours? Ah, let me cross over the see this good land beyond the Jordan, this fine hill country, and the Lebanon!' But the Lord was angry with me on your account and would not hear me.
'Enough!' the Lord said to me. 'Speak to me no more of this. Go up to the top of Pisgah and look out to the west, and to the north, and to the south, and to the east. Look well, for you shall not cross this Jordan. Commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he shall cross at the head of this people and shall put them in possession of the land you are to see.' This was while we were in the ravine opposite Beth-peor.

I apologize, but there will be no Bible readings or lessons or other posts for a few days.  I am temporarily in Norfolk, Virginia helping my husband while he is on convalescent leave.  (He got in a mountain biking accident....thank God he was wearing his helmet!) 

I'm driving back on the 28th, but won't be in until late (it's a long drive).  I hope to be back on here on the 29th or 30th (at the latest). 

Thank you for your understanding,
Jennie

In an Israelite court, contempt of court was a capital offense.  Contempt could be by a citizen (obviously), but also by a judge who was reluctant or refused to apply the proper penalty to a crime. 

~~~~~Lesson: Deuteronomy: Chapter 1

In chapter 1, one of the first acts of Moses is to have the tribes appoint judges, who will be their rulers and help them resolve conflicts.  While Israel is undoubtedly a theocracy (a society ruled by God), there are echoes of a democracy with this section.  If the people are unhappy with the ruling of their judge, they can go to the leader of the tribe.  Failing that, they can go directly to Moses.  

Question: Do you think any one type of government is better than another?  Keep in mind there are theocracy, democracy, monarchies, socialists, etc.  

Do you think the Bible itself supports one type of government or type of leader over another?  


~Reading: Deuteronomy: Chapter 1

(5-13) Moses began to explain the law in the land of Moab beyond the Jordan, as follows:
"The Lord, our God, said to us at Horeb, 'You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Leave here and go to the hill country of the Amorites and to all the surrounding regions, the land of the Canaanites in the Arabah, the mountains, the foothills, the Negeb and the seacoast; to lebanon, and as far as the Great River [the Euphrates]. I have given that land over to you. Go now and occupy the land I swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, I would give to them and to their descendants.'

"At that time I said to you, 'Alone, I am unable to carry you. The Lord, your God, has so multiplied you that you are now as numerous as the stars in the sky. May the Lord, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times over, and bless you as he promised! But how can I alone bear the crushing burden that you are, along with your bickering? Choose wise, intelligent and experienced men from each of your tribes, that I may appoint them as your leaders.'"

[14-18: has a brief description of the way that the judges were to wisely rule]

[19-25: history of the twelve scouts who reconnoitered the land of Canaan]

[26-40: the rebellion of the Israelites and God's decree that they will be punished by being forced to wander the desert for 40 years]

[41-46: the failed attempt at taking over Canaan against God's will]

Author:  Deuteronomy is most often stated as being written by Moses, as were the earlier books. Deuteronomy means “second law” and is the fifth and final book of the Pentateuch.  Like many other books of the Bible, the author is debated.  Some scholars claim it was written in the seventh century B.C. by King Josiah’s officials in an attempt to legitimize Josiah’s reforms.  Some claim that a “pre-final” version of Deut was found in the temple, giving it legitimacy, and was added upon by writers of that time.  A third school of opinion holds that while the speeches may represent some of what Moses said, various scholars over the time developed the “final version” of which we read from today.  It is this last that is most probable.     

Audience: It was written as the Israelites were camped at Moab- where Numbers ended- immediately before the conquest of Canaan.  The original audience was those who were ready to attempt the conquest. Later generations read it as both a historical record, as well as an explanation of the law that governed their lives.


Themes of Deuteronomy:
1. Covenant- this was covered and explained extensively in earlier books. However, it is also the central focus of this book. It is a “renewal” of the covenant before the conquest and gives the law a vital framework within it exists.
2. Choices- Deuteronomy underlines the fact that people always have a CHOICE on whether to obey God or not.  Moses throughout the book corrects, threatens, exhorts, and loudly proclaims, all with the end of having the Israelite’s choose obedience to God.  The fact he does all of these things only shows, yet again, that keeping the covenant was a choice.  
3. The responsibilities of people towards others- special protections were designed and laid out in this book that protect the widows, orphans, resident foreigners, the disabled, and the elderly.  These concepts are part of the law, and are quoted at length in the New Testament.  

While Deuteronomy is, in bulk, speeches recounting the history of the Israelites and a review of the covenant, the time line of the events surrounding Deut is included before.

Timeline:
1526 b.c.- Moses' birth
1446 b.c.- The plagues and the first Passover
1446 b.c.- The Exodus
1446 b.c.- The Ten commandments & Mt. Sinai
1446-1406 b.c.- The desert wanderings
1443 b.c.- Exploration of Canaan
1406 b.c.- Moses dies; Joshua becomes leader
1406 b.c.- Israelites enter Canaan

Outline:
I. Preamble (1:1-5)
II. Historical Prologue (1:6-4:43)
III. Stipulations of the Covenant (4:44-26:19)
-----A. Primary Demands (4:44-11:32)
-----B. Supplementary Requirements (12-26)
IV. Ratification; Curses and Blessings (27-30)
V. Leadership Succession under the Covenant (31-34)

Temple priestesses in other cultures often were given a portion of their father’s estate.  This provided financial support to the woman, allowing her to continue with her religious calling/duties.