Words & Matters or “Words Matter?”

“Back in the day,” I can remember asking Grandpa about particular family stories.  Hearing his words gave me a feeling of belonging; not to mention a good laugh towards incidences experienced by others that were similar to my own.  His words mattered, in that they came from real personal stories.  When you think about words found in The Scriptures, are they important to you, because of the problems (matters) brought about by those words, or do the words matter in that they touch your heart?

D’varim has an uncanny knack for providing both.  Moses addresses the problems of the past, but he also addresses the issues of the heart.  The words given to Moses in this book seek to provide attention to the sin problem but also direct us to a salvation solution.

The efforts of Moses when he gives a historical diagram to a new generation are extremely important.  Descriptions of trials and victories of the generation that proceeded this new generation is a splendid example of wise counsel.  They give value to the laws of Yah.  But if we look deeper, we may find another note that directs personal works back toward the works of YHVH. 

One of the more outstanding statements by Moses was when he encouraged and blessed Joshua as the leader of this new generation:   

“. . . Your eyes have seen everything that the Lord your God has done to these two kings; the Lord will do the same to all the kingdoms into which you are about to cross.  Do not fear them, for the Lord your God is the One fighting for you.” Deuteronomy 3:21-22 

Sometimes it’s common for us to think that we are the only ones fighting.  But this just isn’t true for the believer.  The battle belongs to YHVH—especially when we face giants.  Yes, it’s important to follow Yah’s laws.  These laws are life.  (Deuteronomy 30:15 & 16) Blessings are abundant for those who follow the ways of YHVH.  But are there others blessed by Yah that don’t keep the law as well as “us”?  Can we allow Yah to be God and do what He needs to do outside of us?

I was caught by some unexpected words in Deuteronomy 2:16-22.  It was here that I found that Israel wasn’t the only group that fought giants and won under Yah’s direction.  The descendants of Lot and the descendants of Esau also fought giants and were able to displace them.  Is this possible?  Does Yah work through others to accomplish His ways?  The answer is an obvious yes. 

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8-9