It Is Not In Vain
Good Morning,
When we are learning to drive, we are given all kinds of instructions to do or not to do. Although all those instructions are not necessary to drive safely, each one is probably good for us to do. We know that during a driving test, we might not drive exactly as we would regularly drive while on our own. We know that while teaching our children to drive, we do not allow them to do things we might do. Experience, age, or arrogance might cause us to violate our own rules.
Familiarity and complacency create a risk that increases the chance of something going wrong. I will return to this illustration at the end.
Deuteronomy 32 tells us the last instructions of Moses to the people as he turned the leadership of the nation over to Joshua. Interestingly, after forty years of instruction, the children of Israel were still bent on doing things their own way – mankind simply described. The people clearly saw the wages of sin revealed before them with poisonous serpents and the opening of the ground to swallow rebels. They saw God provide water from a rock and manna from Heaven. God provided military victory over two kingdoms and directed them into the land of promise, yet they still had trouble accepting the instructions of Moses.
Deuteronomy 32:46 “... Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.”
vs. 47 “For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.”
A few years ago, I had a conversation with a young person who was approaching marriage and struggled with the simple principles I have taught for decades; not dramatic thoughts that would ruin a life if not followed, just old-fashioned ideas about propriety and discretion. The young person wrestled with the questions of “Why?” and “What difference would it really make?” (I tried to be gracious.) For that young person’s entire life, we had been close and I know they would never want to hurt me or attack my teaching, but to them, the principles just did not really make that much sense. At age twenty-something, viewing life was clear through their own eyes. I made a few comments and gave assurance that I was honored by the friendship we shared, the opportunity to conduct the wedding, and the privilege of having their family in our church. I left the subject at that.
Deuteronomy 32:46 “... Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.”
vs. 47 “For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.”
This was my unspoken response to that young person's outlook: “The principles I had taught for nearly two decades prior to your birth, are what made your life what it is today. Sure, we all violate a truth now and then, but the principle or idea of trusting what our parents or leaders have taught us is what keeps us from ruin. We must accept the wisdom of older people. The principle of restraining our own ideas until we travel down the road for a few decades is what keeps us alive in a world bent on ruining our families.”
Moses said, “…it is not a vain thing.” That statement was the answer to the thought process many people have. Many people ask, “What difference does it make?” Moses answered, “…it is not a vain thing…”
Following simple ideas or rules of right and wrong that could never hurt anything will ultimately “not hurt anything.”
I hear people fuss over the idea of tithing. Perhaps some could intellectually argue around it, perhaps. But really, would it hurt anything? If by chance the teachers of tithing were correct, it would be good to have honored that idea. If the critics of tithing happened to be right, would any harm have been done by giving the tithe to the Lord? I mean, would we get to Heaven and be scolded for giving God ten percent of our income? Would it really hurt anything to honor the old-fashioned idea of playing table games, talking with family, or reading books rather than watching television every night of the week?
When we consider convictions about separation from the world, would it hurt to avoid casinos and movie theaters? Would wearing a little more clothing rather than revealing every possible piece of flesh we have harm society or even individuals? Of course not. Is it possible the opposite could be true? Absolutely!
Moses said, “… it is not a vain thing…” it is your life. Not just each lesson he taught or each principle he tried to teach, but the idea of doing right and grasping the teaching of the prior generation and saying, “I’ll trust your call.” That is not vain, that is your life. For one day, one of those old-fashioned ideas just may save your life or the life of your child.
Moses said, these principles are not vain; they are the difference between life and death, good and evil, happiness and grief, gladness and remorse.
Deuteronomy 30:15 “See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;”
vs. 16 “... and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.”
vs. 18 “I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land…"
vs. 19 “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:”
The folks who question our little do’s and don’ts are often the ones who fuss about vaccinations and pesticides. They think our ideas of right and wrong are extreme; yet they feel plastic may contain deadly chemicals -therefore, they only use vitamins in glass and will not use microwaves or plastic coffee makers. I do not mind their ideas; going overboard will not hurt. Avoiding plastics or GMO’s will not hurt. Buying organic foods does not harm anyone. They are free to go overboard some, but why do they not want anyone to be spiritually overboard. At the mention of holiness, they feel we are “overboard,” and suddenly, they view us to be like Stalin.
Now, this line of thinking is not new to this generation. Moses wrote this four thousand years ago - it was almost as though Moses was saying, “Hey! Listen, this is your life! Dummy!”
As driving a vehicle, you might do some things that are not recommended, yet will not cause an accident. You might get away with some manners of driving for years, but that very habit may cause your child’s death when they start driving. We may not understand some of the suggestions, but they just may save your life or the life of your child one day. The principles you have heard for decades are not vain... they could be your life.
Pastor