Day 116 of 365
THE LORD IS GOD
God's approach to establish a relationship with Israel at Sinai represents a significant moment in human history. Until Sinai, gods were considered territorially constrained and without obligation to peoples. However, God chose to deliver Israel from bondage in Egypt in such spectacular fashion in order to demonstrate his love for Israel so they might know God's magnificence over and above the gods of other nations. As highlighted in other texts, the book of Deuteronomy was written to help Israel understand and remember God's power to deliver them, his sovereignty over heaven and earth (not a corner of land) and his love for them over other nations. Toward that end, Moses consistently reminded each generation of what God had done for their ancestors by calling them to remember the story of their deliverance.
John 1 narrates another monumental moment in human history, one that is worthy of being consistently remembered: the incarnation. When God took on human flesh and "made his dwelling" (literally, "tabernacled"; v. 14) among God's people, they were provided greater access to God throughout Jesus' public ministry. It is through Jesus that God has proven his power to deliver his people from the power of sin, shown us his absolute love and provided a way for all nations of the earth to have a relationship with the one, true God.
Jesus, thank you for making your dwelling among us people and enabling us to have a relationship with the one true God. Amen.
Deuteronomy 4:32-40 NASB
32 "Indeed, ask now concerning the former days which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and inquire from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything been done like this great thing, or has anything been heard like it? 33 Has any people heard the voice of God speaking from the midst of the fire, as you have heard it, and survived? 34 Or has a god tried to go to take for himself a nation from within another nation by trials, by signs and wonders and by war and by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm and by great terrors, as the L ord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? 35 To you it was shown that you might know that the L ord , He is God; there is no other besides Him. 36 Out of the heavens He let you hear His voice to discipline you; and on earth He let you see His great fire, and you heard His words from the midst of the fire. 37 Because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their descendants after them. And He personally brought you from Egypt by His great power, 38 driving out from before you nations greater and mightier than you, to bring you in and to give you their land for an inheritance, as it is today. 39 Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the L ord , He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other. 40 So you shall keep His statutes and His commandments which I am giving you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may live long on the land which the L ord your God is giving you for all time."
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