Why such detail about entering the Promised Land?

  1. Symbol of Us Entering the Land of Rest – of Jesus
    1. Hebrews 4:6-7
    2. Today we are to enter
    3. The first generation did not enter because of unbelief
    4. Now, you are a new generation ready to enter the promises of God
    5. We are this generation — the generation that has a chance to enter the promises of God
    6. Must enter in belief
  2. You Stand Today (Deuteronomy 29:9)
    1. “Rosh HaShannah”
      1. We have heard the promises of God for being obedient
      2. We have heard the warnings for sin and judgement for being disobedient
    2. The shofar is blown on this day
      1. Reminds us of the trumpet that will come at the second coming of the Messiah
    3. They stand with elders and priests
      1. This does not just represent this generation, but the generations that will follow
      2. God is very concerned about generations
        1. We all come from Adam, but we are not all from the same mold — we are all different
        2. Jesus cares about each one individually (this is why he created a census)
        3. Jesus left the 99 and found the one — only a 1% loss, which seems acceptable to us.
  3. Repentance and Redemption (Deuteronomy 30:1, 2)
    1. Probably the most evident verses about the Messiah’s coming
    2. Israel is going to experience all of the curses we have heard about
    3. “When they return” — “return” and “repent” are the same word
    4. The Messiah will restore you from all the nations and peoples (vs. 3)
    5. Promises of the coming of the Messiah (vs. 4, 5)
      1. This has not happened yet
      2. We are called believers because we claim that he is Messaiah, even though there are things that have not happened, yet
  4. Restore You From Captivity (vs. 3)
      1. The word for “restore” is also the word for “he will return”
      2. “Return” is the word “Shechinah,” which they are experiencing in the wilderness
      3. Shechinah probably left when Aaron died.
    2. God will restore you from the ends of the earth (vs. 4 — Jewish Eschatology)
      1. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) Meet with the Lord, but it does not say heaven
      2. (1 Corinthians 15:51-54) The last trumpet will sound and the dead will rise.
    3. Gathering will be done by the Messiah (vs. 4)
      1. Not only found in one verse — look at Isaiah 27:13 and Ezekiel 37:21, 22, 24
      2. JEWISH ESCHATOLOGY LINKS THE INGATHERING OF THE EXILES WITH THE COMING OF MESSIAH AND THE FINAL REDEMPTION
      3. (Ezekiel 37:12) Behold, I will open the graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, my people, and I will bring you into the land of Israel
    4. The Jewish people would have linked the words of Jesus with these promises in Deuteronomy 30
    5. At this time, the Messiah will finally lead us into the promised land and we will experience the rest of Jesus
      1. We will no longer need to be believers, because we will see it take place.
  5. Circumcision of the Heart (vs. 5)
    1. Paul talks about the circumcision of the heart by the Spirit of God (Romans 2:29)
    2. The command is not too difficult for you to understand or obey (vs. 11)
      1. The law is not impossible to obey
      2. Broken down into two commandments — love God, and love others
    3. Choose life and obey (vs. 19, 20)
      1. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25)
      2. I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)
      3. Choose Jesus and live