Deuteronomy 20 Do You Sometimes Get Confused Reading the Bible?



  Sometimes we get conflicted about the Bible, and we think, 'Doesn't this contradict that section?' Today I was feeling that way as I read, but then Moses straightened out my misunderstanding as I read further. It is important to read in context instead of just a verse here or over there! Pulling one or two verses out of context can lead you astray, as there is no context when that is done. Yes, sometimes it does back up your thought or message, but other times it may be absolute heresy! You may have had no intention of committing heresy, but by pulling out one verse, it is easy to do! For instance, if we pulled verse 17 out of context, it would make us all mass murderers; those are instructions for the Jewish people coming into the promised land, not instructions for Gentiles living a half world away!


  So, where are we going here from chapter 20 of Deuteronomy for Today’s Daily Bible Challenge? Well, we have read the instructions from previous chapters that they were to kill whole cities, men, women, and children, even the animals. (I have always struggled with that) But then here in Deu 20:14 they are allowed to take booty, children and women, and riches. But if you read further, that was for faraway cities. The command from God to take no one alive was only for certain cities that were doing detestable things for false gods, such as sacrificing their own children in fire! That is something the God of Moses will not tolerate! Now, the God of Moses is also the Christian God, as we believe the God of the Old Testament is one of the three parts of the same God. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! Jesus was there from the very beginning and is the creator of all life. (John 1:1 NASB95) - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.


  So it is a good idea to ask yourself these questions before you read a chapter of the Bible: 1) Who is the author? 2) When was it written? 3) Who was it written to? 4) How does this relate to me today as a Gentile/ or Jew? Answering these questions first will change your whole perspective as you accept the challenge we pose to you here at The Daily Bible Challenge! We will count on you to ask yourself these questions daily to make sure you keep the Bible in context, to keep your understanding of the chapter in context, to your life! We want this for you so that you can develop a real relationship with God as your Lord and Savior!

  It is also helpful to learn about the cultural differences of the timeframe of the chapter to keep things in context! Someone in the exodus will have different cultural aspects of life than someone hundreds of years later who settled in a city in the promised land, or thousands of years later in the USA. Your questions and comments are always welcome via Direct Messaging!

  Talk with you soon!


https://www.blueletterbible.org/audio_video/popPlayer.cfm?type=nasb_n&b=5&c=20

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