• start of a series of “woe oracles” (Isa. 28-33)
• more than 700 years before the first Christmas

• Ephraim’s drunken pride
• trusting everything except the LORD
• case of misplaced confidence

• rebuke of Jerusalem’s leaders
• the scoffing of spiritual cynics
• weakness revealed by crisis

• foundation stone in Zion (Rom. 9:33, 1 Pet. 2:6)
• proven, precious and permanent
• settled and not scrambled

• Because God exposes the folly of human pursuit of ultimate security, heed His warnings and hope in His Son.
• Only the installed foundation can bear the weight of reality.
• What particles of panic do you need to discard this Christmas season?
• connection to Christ and NT: 1 Cor. 3:10-15
• “And we will never face life alone now that God has made Himself known, Father and Friend with us to the end, Emmanuel!” (Steven Curtis Chapman, “Our God Is with Us”)

A. A Historical Review (vv. 1–4; see Acts 7:38, 53; Gal 3:19; Heb 2:2)
B. The Longing for the Messianic King (v. 5)
C. A Prayer for the Coming of the Messianic King (v. 7; see Gen 49:10)
D. Praise for the Lord Who Blesses Israel (vv. 26–29)

• last psalm in Book II of the Psalter (Psalms 42-72)
• messianic psalm with connections to Isa. 11:1-5 and Zech 9:9 (immediate reference/ultimate fulfillment)

• petition for the king
• guardian of justice and protector of the poor (Mt. 25:35)

• dynastic endurance (2 Sam. 7:16)
• a word from Pastor Watts (“Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun”)

• extension of the empire of God’s chosen king
• prophecy of worldwide dominion

• tender care of a sovereign
• display of “diverse excellencies”

• blessed by all and a blessing to all

• delight in the hope of His forever rule (2 Sam. 23:1-7; Rev. 21:24)

• Because all your blessings flow from the identity and activity of King Jesus, thank Him for His reign.
• “He comes with succor speedy to those who suffer wrong; to help the poor and needy, and bid the weak be strong; to give them songs for sighing, their darkness turn to light, whose souls, condemned and dying, are precious in His sight.” (James Montgomery, “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”)

• transition from exposition of the law to allegiance to the LORD as lawgiver
• Moses engages in strategic reinforcement.

• exalted over other nations by God’s sovereign choice
• conditional
• comprehensive
• edification

• consigned to Baalism’s illusory offerings
• conditional
• comprehensive
• disintegration

• Because conformity to the LORD’S commands has distinct consequences, prioritize obedience.
• connection to Christ: Gal. 3:13
• Christ bore the covenant curse that we might inherit covenant blessing.
• “His oath, His covenant, His blood, support me in the whelming flood. When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.” (E. Mote, “The Solid Rock”)

• start of second speech of Moses (Dt. 12:1-26:15)
• contrasting pure worship and pagan worship

• land/obedience connection
• not assimilation but annihilation
• not in the same kind of way

• where the LORD put His name…
• present/future aspects and catalog of offerings
• acknowledgement of deficiency (Judg. 17:6, 21:25)
• repeated emphases of rest/inheritance and cause for rejoicing (Psa. 132:13-14)
• provision for the Levite

• directed and distinct
• things permitted and prohibited
• the blood/life connection (Lev. 17:11)
• repetition of solemn warning
• not in that way…

• Because the LORD is the exclusive God of His people, worship Him exclusively.
• connections to Christ: Jn. 1:14, Acts 4:12, Heb. 4:14-16
• “Mighty God! The Ruler of my heart! Mighty God! My Heart’s true King! You alone reign in majesty! You alone reign in glory! You alone! You alone! You alone are King!” (D. Jernigan, “You Alone Are King”)

• restatement of Ten Commandments (5:1-21) and summary of Law giving (5:22-33)
• right response to the LORD’S sovereign care

• purpose of instruction: that you may do…
• that you may fear…by keeping (Psa. 111:10, 1 Jn. 5:3)
• hearing and doing
• contingency to consider (Ex. 3:7-8)

• passion expressed in the shema
• foundational fidelity to the only One to be worshiped (4:35, 39; Ex. 20:5)
• heart, soul and might: totality of being
• stress on the LORD’S unity and uniqueness

• “words” as the “bridge” between love and obedience
• total “immersion”
• establishment and elimination (Psa. 119:165)
• repeated reminders

• Because you transmit what you treasure, treasure the LORD supremely.
• connections to Christ: Jn. 10:30, 14:31
• “May the Living God, who is the portion and rest of the saints, make these our carnal minds so spiritual, and our earthly hearts so heavenly, that loving Him and delighting in Him may be the work of our lives.” (R. Baxter)

• Deut. 4: hinge between preceding historical prologue and covenant stipulations of Deut. 5-26
• conclusion of Moses’s first major speech in Deuteronomy

• invitation to ponder
• chronological and geographical inquiry
• references to earth and heaven

• hearing God’s voice (revelation)
• extraction from Egypt (redemption)
• the LORD’S methodology detailed and His sovereignty described (mighty hand…outstretched arm)

• that you might know…
• hearing from heaven and discipline
• seeing on earth and deliverance

• know it: intellectual assent
• take it to heart: internal appropriation
• claim the promises of prolonged days and permanent possession

• Because God is matchless in grace and power, trust Him and obey Him
• Connection to Christ: Heb. 1:1-4, Jn. 1:14 and Col. 1:13
• “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” (L. Stead)

• after the serpent/pole account of 21:4-9
• record of the final trek through difficult terrain in route to the Promised Land
• no more accounts of murmuring

• marching to Moab
• significant repetition: set out…camped
• involvement of travelers and writers
• poetic picture of Yahweh poised as a warrior/advocate for His people

• recurring water issues
• refreshment and choral response
• involvement of singers and diggers
• from Pisgah’s “lofty height”

• defeat of Sihon and the Amorites
• involvement of soldiers and singers
• defeat of Og and Bashan
• involvement of spies and soldiers

• Because the LORD always sustains His people, let dependence mark every step of your journey.
• Remember the LORD’S omnipresence, omniscience and omnipotence.
• Spend more energy anticipating your gains than itemizing your losses.
• Connection to Christ: John 4:13-14; Rev. 22:17 (B. Brown “All Who Are Thirsty”)

• preceded by reversal of outcomes at Hormah (14:39-45 and 21:1-3)

• people become impatient on the way
• fault-finding recital resumes
• loathing the LORD’S provision

• blowing away the haze of triviality
• the LORD’S deployment of lethal snakes
• snakes bite, many people die, the people confess their sin
• the assaulted leader as an effective intercessor

• significance of a snake on a pole: look and live (isa. 45:22)
• unique and totally undeserved provision
• indicators of the LORD’S mercy, power and wisdom
• widely available and immediately effective

• Because undeserving rebels may receive salvation based on the LORD’S miraculous mercy, look to Jesus and live.
• distinct connection to Christ and the NT: John 3:14-15
• Stop itemizing grievances and start counting blessings!
• this narrative: a stunning rebuke to the doctrine of self-salvation
• “His word shall not fail you He promised…” (H. Lemmel “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus”)

• third and final travel narrative begins
• leading woman dies outside the Promised Land

• fierce opposition
• connection to Exodus 17: strike/speak contrast

• intense frustration
• sin of Moses and its consequence

• most direct route to Canaan
• relationship to Israel (Gen. 12:3)

• glimmer of hope
• from Aaron to Eleazar

• Knowing that crisis is inevitable and the LORD is infallible, declare His glory and depend on His resources.
• The LORD’s people are “not let off but not let go.” (R. Brown)
• Note the rock/Christ connection: Isa. 48:21, 1 Cor. 10:4, John 4:11-15
• The guarantee of a greater than Moses…
• “Rock of Ages” (A. Toplady)