Expounding the Meaning of Deuteronomy 10:8 (PART 3 of 3)

Expounding the Meaning of Deuteronomy 10:8 (PART 3 of 3) [Print Document]

This is the third part of a short series on expounding the meaning of Deuteronomy 10:8. There is a lot of depth in this verse that Abba Father God put on my heart to read.

In part 1 of this series, we looked at how bearing the Ark of the Covenant means that we are bearing God’s holy Word (which is based on the Ten Commandments) in our heart. We do this by meditating on God’s Word and by delighting in it (Psalm 1:2). In part 2, we learned how one ministers to God. We discussed what ministering to God is, and what it isn't. And, we learned that it is about fellowship with Abba Father God (Galatians 4:6-7), and not just doing works.

In this part (part 3), we will discuss and expound on what it means to “... bless in his name, unto this day.”

Deuteronomy 10:8, says: “At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.”

How to Bless in God’s Name

God separated us from the world so that we may “...bless in his name, unto this day.” What does this mean, though? God showed me that blessing in His Name includes praising God, giving Him glory, and speaking blessings over people with the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Let’s look first at praising God. What does praising God look like? King David gave us an example of praising God and giving God the glory in Psalm 103.

Psalm 103:1-5

“[1] Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

[2] Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: [3] Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; [4] Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; [5] Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.”

David is speaking of what Abba God had done for him (and also for us). He is thanking God for His mercy and goodness. When we go through a difficult time (and I need to be reminded of this), we need to look to the holy Scripture for inspiration. David praised God even when he was going through difficulty, but after he first gave his troubles to God.

Praising God Even in the Difficulties

We we go through difficulties, we find it hard to praise God for what He will do or for what He already has done for us. It is often hard to thank Him when times get tough. But, David wrote that we ought to cast our burdens on God because God cares for us and will sustain us. In the beginning of Psalm 55, David wrote:

[Psalm 55:4-5]

“[4] My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. [5] Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.”

After describing how a former friend betrayed him, David writes:

[Psalm 55:22]

“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

Casting our burdens on God is just talking to our loving Abba Father God about our problems and giving them into His caring hands. 1 Peter 5:6-7 says: “[6] Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: [7] Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

 

Once we have done that, we are more free inside to give God praise for what He will do and for what He has already done for us. This honors and pleases Him. But, don’t let this become a legalistic system of performing for God’s love. Abba God loves us with everlasting love (Jeremiah 33:3). Now, since God loves us so much, we “... ought also to love one another.”

1 John 4:11-12

“[11] Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. [12] No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.”

Blessing Other People Honors God.

Because God loves us, we should love each other. There is no excuse for name-calling, slander, gossip, or false-accusation in the Church. These things harm the body of Christ. Also, hurtful (or grievous) words stir up anger. Proverbs 15:1 says: “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”

I certainly do not claim to be perfect, but God has helped me to choose to not speak angrily to people. I used to sometimes get angry at what someone said, but I’ve learned to bring the problem before God, and leave it with Him, knowing that He will take care of it. Since we can bring our problems to God, we can know that God will solve those problems and help us through them. But, not trusting in God to take care of a situation leads one to sin by speaking hurtful, angry words that harm other people.

God wants us to bless and not curse. Jesus said in Matthew 5:44, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”

In James chapter 3, God tells us through James about bridling the tongue. James 3:2 says: “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.”

James 3:6 says: “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.”

James 3:8 says: “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

How do we deal with the problem of an angry or hurtful tongue? 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 gives us the answer. We will just look at verse 5.

2 Corinthians 10:5 says: “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

In old dictionaries, the words "thought" and "thoughtful" include anxiety (feelings), ideas, desires, plans, and passing thoughts. The Greek word for "thought" (noéma) includes those meanings too. Therefore, Abba God is saying to surrender to Him every thought, feeling, desire, plan, and imagination if it would not be honoring to Him. That way, we will have victory over the devil and over his snares. 

Also, seeking God about the root of the problem is important. The root is the deep problem from which many smaller problems originate. It can be something hurtful that was done in the past, such as when we were children. Knowing that is helpful in addressing the problem.

Knowing Your Identity Is the Key to Victory Over Sin.

But, knowing our identity in Christ will help us Christians in any problem we face. Because, when we know who we are in Christ, the devil’s lies will look like lies, and God’s Word will become more clear to us.

(As Christians, we are no longer citizens of this Earth.
We are citizens of Heaven. 2 Corinthians 5:17.
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new.")

The truth is that if we have been born-again, we have been given a new nature. We no longer are citizens of this planet earth. Now, we are citizens of Heaven and the New Jerusalem (see the Book of Revelation). Now, we are sons and daughters of God. We are no longer under the law of Moses. However, we are to obey the Ten Commandments (which are reiterated in the New Testament), but we are free from the burden to obey every ordinance in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and in the sacrificial laws. (Galatians is a very good book for when you are struggling with feeling that you are a servant, and not a child of God.)

We Christians have these great promises from God’s Word:

2 Corinthians 5:17-18

“[17] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. [18] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;”

Galatians 4:4-7

“[4] But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, [5] To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. [6] And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. [7] Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

Conclusion

Knowing God as our Abba Father, and knowing that we are His dear children, we can praise Abba God and worship Him from our hearts, and not by going through the motions of worship. Knowing that we are Abba God’s children, we can know that He will work all things together for our good (Romans 8:38).

Since we know God will work all things together for our good, we can be kind and gracious to one another. We can bless each other, and not speak hurtful words because Abba God really loves us just as He does Jesus.

Jesus said to His Father these amazing words in John 17:23 — "[22] And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: [23] I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me."

Jesus (Who, as we know, is one with God the Father) said that God the Father loves people in the same way that He loves Jesus. God’s everlasting love lasts forever. Our loving Father God draws us to Himself with His personal, kind, caring, agape love. (See Jeremiah 31:3.)

We Christians have great hope and great blessings now and in Heaven (Romans 8:14-18). Let us walk with God, rest in His arms (Isaiah 40:11), and trust that He will work all things together for our good (Romans 8:38), even if present circumstances don’t appear that way. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says: “[7] (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)”

Encouraging Scriptures

Here are some encouraging scriptures from God’s Word:

Deuteronomy 33:3 says this about Abba God: “[3] Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words.”

Isaiah 40:11 says this of God: “[11] He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”

Isaiah 41:10 says: “[10] Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

If you are coming here as a non-Christian, I encourage you to read this. God desires to have fellowship with you, as you make Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior.

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Note: Abba means: 'Abbá – "Father," also used as the term of tender endearment by a beloved child – i.e. in an affectionate, dependent relationship with their father; "daddy," "papa."' (http://biblehub.com/greek/5.htm)