Still catching up First 14 verses of this chapter are the blessings for obedience after entering the Promised Land. The next 54 verses are the curses for disobedience. Seems that "the stick" is more of a motivator than "the carrot" God clearly threatens his people who know His laws, statues, commandments and rules with dreadful results if they disobey. How are we to understand God's blessing and cursing in light of this chapter? God has a high standard for His people. In the OT, this was Israel and Judah. In the NT, this is the Church. But this doesn't mean that perfect perpetual obedience was or is possible. When I look at Israel, I can be dismayed that they fell away so quickly, but not that they fell away. As Paul explains in Romans, the law exposes our sinfulness and drives us to the Savior. It does not and cannot save us. Common grace is the only explanation for delay in judgment. Common grace is not saving grace. The gospel is the only hope
Trying to catch up Secrecy as a cover for wicked intent. Herod's murderous plot required secrecy on a human level. The wise men were only warned not to return to Herod after they had completed their task. They were not warned about what Herod would do with the information they willingly provided. They had no way of knowing Herod's intent when they gave the information. Likewise, the scribes who provided the location not knowing Herod's intent. They just provided truthful answer to a question. Herod then excluded them from further conversation with the wise men. Herod's original intent was only to kill the infant Jesus. Once this plan was thwarted, he had no moral qualms about expanding to all boys under the age of 2. Herod's plot to maintain power was God's plan to fulfill prophecy regarding the Messiah. While Herod was keeping the plot secret from other people, he could not keep it secret from God. In deed, Herod was unknowingly carrying out God's s