The Meaning Of Life

https://biblehub.com/nkjv/deuteronomy/27.htm

Thank you Lord for giving us Your word, so we may have understanding of the meaning of life which is contained within Your Holy Bible. As we study, open our hearts and minds, send Your Spirit into us to teach us, and give us knowledge, and understanding and wisdom.

For most of my career, I was a trainer. As a fireman, I was certified to teach classes in several different areas, and as my career changed to emergency communications, I obtained certifications in those areas. And the common denominator of it all, is that everyone learns differently. Some people learn by reading. Some by watching. Others by doing. And some, a combination of all three. Myself find reading difficult, it is boring and I have a hard time concentrating. I’m a “watching” person, put the information on video and I can learn a lot.

And because the human brain hasn’t changed much, I assume that in the days of Moses, the same held true. I’m not suggesting they had the Ten Commandments on a video lecture series like today, but rather than sit and read the laws Moses relayed to them, I’m sure many learned by watching Moses teach. And others by reading the Torah. And some by doing or demonstrating the laws.

In this chapter of Deuteronomy, I see a combination of these activities, just as if it were a training class or workshop today.

Moses gave the laws to the people, verbally. He would tell the people what to do, based on what God told him. Also in this chapter we will see where God instructs them, after they’ve crossed over the Jordan River, to set up a monument of stones, to white wash them with lime, and to write the words of the law on the stones.

And finally, just like a group exercise would be held in todays world, half of the children of Israel were instructed to stand atop Mount Gerizim, and the other half to stand atop Mount Ebal, and the Levites would lead as one side would shout curses to the other side, and the others would return shouting blessings. The entire exercise, as I see it, a way to remember and reinforce the law. I’m sure those children told their grandchildren about the day they shouted curses and blessings at each other, and how it helped them to remember God’s law.

Hearing, writing, and participating in a practical exercise. Sounds just like training that is held today to find ways to make us remember the things we are supposed to remember. And while most of us experience this in our careers, as a way to further and expand our knowledge of how we do our jobs better, then it was to help the children of Israel train and retain God’s law in their minds.

This is also a perfect example of how we should study today. And like me, just because I don’t read well, it doesn’t mean I shouldn’t. It is important to read, and reread the Bible as many times as we can. Every time I read the Bible, I learn something new, see something I hadn’t noticed before. And as long as I draw breath, I will continue to read the Bible. When I get to the end of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, I will start over “in the beginning” with the Book of Genesis.

There are many opportunities to learn, just make sure what you are being told is Biblical truth. Read the Bible and study the words. Put yourself in those times so you have a better understanding of the lives of historical figures so you can better understand what they were going through. As I’ve said before, Moses, a mere mortal, had to no doubt suffer from a great amount of stress and fatigue trying to keep the children of Israel on track.

There are numerous Christian radio channels where you can listen to various sermons and programs. Listen while you’re driving. Turn on the radio at home while you do housework. And double-check the things you are told.

There are many books on the subject of theology and Christianity you can read. And if you’re not a reader, like me, there are even audio books you can listen to. There are many audio Bibles out there where someone narrates the Bible for you. In fact, one of my favorites is an Audible Book, “The Word of Promise: New King James Version”, and it is narrated by such actors as Louis Gosset, Jr., Richard Dreyfuss, Michael York, Gary Sinise, Jim Caviezel, and James Earl Jones. They read the Bible to you, verse by verse, word by word, in a dramatic fashion as if it were one of those old time radio shows they listened to before television was invented (I wasn’t there by the way, thank you).

You can even access the audio Bible on your tablets and smart phones.

And there are many Bible Study Guides, some for purchase, others for free. Last year, I participated in The Bible Recap program which included videos, reading, and reviews.

The first time I read the Bible, that was all I did. Then I found a free Bible Study application for my computer called “eSword” which included various translations of the Bible you could read, and even compare different versions, and there were notes from famous Theologians, and ancient maps of Israel, and a section where you could take notes. It was very helpful.

One year I studied just the Book of Revelation, a day by day, verse by verse study of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. There are many opportunities awaiting, and just like what we’ve read today about the children of Israel, I urge you to find a way that best suits you.

Just study. And don’t give up, set aside an hour or half-hour each day to study. Rather than read Stephen King at bedtime, read the Bible. Trust me, it is more than entertaining.

I’ve never been one who enjoyed history, but the stories in the Bible, true accounts of World History, are fascinating, both the good and the bad. There are many bad stories, designed to show us what not to do, as well as many positive stories. You like action and adventure, blood and guts? Read about how King Saul pursued David through the land of Israel, and while his heart was good, Saul had a mental illness. He was paranoid, perceiving that David, once a close friend, was trying to kill him and take over the throne.

Read about how David, as a young boy, had the faith in God that the entire Israeli Army didn’t have, and defeated a large and fearsome Philistinian. You can read about murder, and adultery, and incest, and prostitution in the Bible, but it’s not to seek thrills, it’s to learn how we should and shouldn’t live, to learn by example.

Reading the learning the Bible will help you turn back to Christ. I’m far from perfect, still a great sinner myself, but because I’ve read and studied the Bible, and because of that, I have a greater conscience. In days past, I would sin and not think twice about it. Now when I sin, I immediately am remorseful.

I pray for you.

God bless you.

P.S. Please do not forget to confirm what you hear from others. Many people today are being mislead because they listen to the word of their pastors instead of listening to the word of God.