An article published in American Political Science Review in 1984 titled "The Relative Influence of European writers on late 18th Century American Political Thought" basically looked at what influenced our Founding Fathers and the Constitutional Convention. The authors looked at 15,000 writings of the authors and framers of the US Constitution. This included newspaper articles, pamphlets, books and philosophies. They found that 34% of all direct quotes used by the authors were from the Bible! The Bible was a major contributor to the thought process and eventual framing of the American Constitution. Of all the books of the Bible the most quoted by far was the book of Deuteronomy. Why didn't they use the teachings of Jesus, the writings of Paul? The answer to this question can be found in the story, background and history of Deuteronomy.
The nation of Israel had escaped enslavement in Egypt (the Exodus) and received the Law of Moses on Mt. Sinai then ended up in Kadesh Barnea where the spies were sent out check out the Promise Land. The people refused to go in and posses the land which lead to 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. But Moses instructs the next generation on what will be required of them to become a nation. They went from nomads to a nation. While the book of Joshua is the story of the conquest and settling of the land, Deuteronomy records the preparation. It records the physical, mental and spiritual preparation.
1. What is going to be required of them to obtain Divine Assistance in transitioning from a group of wandering former slaves to a powerful and influential nation?
2. To obtain Divine Favor and assistance after the conquest!
Post Revolutionary War, the colonies have gained independence. But they are still not a United Nation. They must try to forge some form of Federal Government or remain 13 independent states. So where to look for advice and wisdom in framing a government? Something that all the states can accept and protect the freedoms fought for and result in stability and prosperity for generations to come and something that will incur Divine Favor? They wanted a country like no other in the world as they knew it. So they searched and cited many sources...But the Bible was a primary source because it was considered God's revealed truth to mankind. And Deuteronomy was especially favored because it was
1. The record of Israel becoming a nation.
2.The record of Divine Wisdom and assistance (favor) in the process
And the founding fathers wanted the same thing!
Deuteronomy can be confusing if you don't know the historical setting, but 2 things stand out
1. The parallel between Israel then and our Founding Fathers 250 years ago.
2. The repeated use of certain words and phrases in Deuteronomy.
"Remember" was used 16 times.
"Don't Forget" was used 9 times.
"Be Careful" (not to forget) was used 35 times.
The point is these commands and warnings were used 60 times in Deuteronomy. This was God emphasizing what the first generation failed to do!
If Deuteronomy was ever relevant to our nation...Then it is still relevant today! The Divine Wisdom and Guidance still apply!
Let's examine what Deuteronomy said to them then and what it has to say to us now.
1. Remember where you came from.
Deuteronomy 15:15 (ESV) "You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this today."
This applies to
A. Us as a nation
B. You as an individual
Did you get here on your own? Did the Lord help you get to where you are today?
2. Remember who brought you here.
Deuteronomy 8: 1-3 (ESV) "The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers. And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD."
Again this applies to us as a nation and you as an individual. God has blessed you by allowing you to be born in the US in the 20th/21st century.
3. Remember who gives you the resources and abilities.
Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (ESV) "Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.' You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day."
A. Some countries don't have resources for the people to get ahead, even if they work hard. God has graced this nation with unlimited resources. (Land/water/wood/soil/corn/wheat/grass)
B. Personal abilities given by God. You have inherited abilities that you have to work hard to develop, but you are blessed with abilities.
4. Remember to thank and praise Him.
Deuteronomy 8:10/12-14 (ESV) "And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. Lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, "
Blessings can be a curse, example Solomon, but it doesn't need it to be. He blesses us and we should give thanks.
A. Verbally
B. Habitually
C. Publicly
5. Remember to keep His commands.
Deuteronomy 28:1-2/13 (ESV) "And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the LORD you God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God. And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you shall only go up and not down, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, being careful to do them."
We are not obligated to the Old Testament Jewish law (Mosaic Law). We are obligated to follow the moral law. Obedience results in blessings.
6. Remember to teach your children.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (ESV) "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
God's words should be before you and your kids. Your kids will make their own religious choices, but you must give them the material and lifestyle to make a proper choice.
7. Remember to assemble
Deuteronomy 31:10-13 (ESV) "And Moses commanded them, 'At the end of every seven years, at the set time in the year of release, at the Feast of Booths, when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place that he will choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Assemble the people, men, women, and little ones, and the sojourner within your towns, that they may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, and be careful to do all the words of this law, and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.'"
Hebrews 10:23-25 (ESV) "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
The Israelites were supposed to gather together to hear God's word. Christians need to hear God's word. The Holy Spirit will be with you when you gather together in His name. Where does this happen....at church...at a KBA gathering. The Holy Spirit moves when we are gathered together. Why is this important? Because you need...
A. challenges and teachings of God's word.
B. the conviction of the Holy Spirit. "Where 2 or 3 are gathered" God moves in a great way.
C. the presence and corrections of other Christians. "Lone Ranger Christians" almost always develop a weird doctrine, because they don't have other people to challenge them.
If you remember/don't forget/be careful not to forget does that mean the nation will change it's course? No, but it will mean that YOUR course will be correct. And however small...it will make a difference in the nation! And if enough people correct their course it will certainly affect the nation.
Summary Verse: Deuteronomy 29:9 (ESV) "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."
Closing Scripture: Hebrews 2:1 (ESV) "Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift from it."
