Dear Followers of Jesus Christ,
As I pen this letter, I stand on the threshold of the culmination of a journey that has defined my life and the destiny of the people I have led. I am Moses, once a prince of Egypt, later a shepherd in Midian, and finally, by the calling and grace of God, the leader of the Israelites. My journey, however, is nearing its end, and I write to you not as a leader entering the Promised Land, but as a humble servant reflecting on God's faithfulness and the perennial call to obedience.
I am 120 years old, my vision unimpaired, my vigor undiminished, yet I am acutely aware that my time on this earth is short. The Lord has decreed that I shall not cross the Jordan into the Promised Land – a consequence of a moment of disobedience and lack of trust. This, however, does not diminish the faithfulness of God or the task He has entrusted to me – to remind, instruct, and exhort His people.
I am compelled to recount the journey, not just of a people through the wilderness, but of a community learning to trust and obey an unseen yet ever-present God. The book of Deuteronomy, my final exhortation to the Israelites, encapsulates this journey. It is a recollection, a reminder, and a reinforcement of the Law given at Sinai.
The purpose of Deuteronomy is to reiterate God's Law to a new generation of Israelites who were not present at Sinai. It serves as a reminder of their identity as God's chosen people and their obligation to uphold His commandments. The Law, with its statutes and decrees, is not an onerous burden but a guide to a blessed and prosperous life in the land promised to their forefathers.
As I recount our history, I emphasize the importance of obedience. The failure of the previous generation to trust and obey God resulted in forty years of wandering and their ultimate demise in the wilderness. The new generation must not repeat these mistakes. They must cling to God, for He is their life.
I remind them of the Ten Commandments, the core of the Law, and the Shema, the declaration of our faith: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength" (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). This command is not just a call to monotheism but a summons to wholehearted devotion to Yahweh.
In Deuteronomy, I warn against idolatry, the gravest sin that lures God's people away from Him. Idolatry is not merely the worship of graven images but any act that places something or someone above God. I exhort the people to remember their covenant with God and to teach these precepts diligently to their children.
I prophesy about a future king, urging that he must not accumulate excessive wealth, horses, or wives, nor should he lead the people back to Egypt. The king must write for himself a copy of the Law and meditate on it all his life (Deuteronomy 17:14-20). This directive ensures that the king remains humble and obedient to God, qualities essential for godly leadership.
As my earthly journey concludes, I commission Joshua as my successor, ensuring the continuity of leadership and the fulfillment of God's promise. My final blessing to the tribes of Israel is a testament to God's enduring love and faithfulness.
Beloved, the lessons from the wilderness and the words of Deuteronomy are as relevant to you today as they were to the Israelites. In a world where the allure of modern idols is strong, the call to love and obey God wholeheartedly remains paramount. Let the story of our journey inspire you to faithfulness and obedience.
Remember, God's commandments are not burdensome; they are pathways to life. As you navigate the complexities of your faith journey, cling to the truth of God's Word, love Him with all your heart, and walk in obedience to His will.
I leave you with this exhortation: Choose life, that you and your descendants may live, love the Lord your God, obey His voice, and cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).
In the Service of the Lord,
Moses
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