Justin Houtz

Deuteronomy 3-4; Psalm 36; Mark 13

DateVersionReading Plan
March 6, 2026ESV (2016)ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026

Deuteronomy 3-4

Observation & Interpretation

Chapters 3 and 4 of Deuteronomy continue the recounting of events of the people of Israel in their wilderness days:

  1. The defeat of king Og of Bashan
  2. Moses’ inability to cross the Jordan and enter the promised land
  3. The command by Moses that the people should diligently follow the LORD’s rules and statutes
  4. Forbidding any form of idolatry
  5. Reinforcing that the LORD is God alone and there is no other
  6. Describing the cities of refuge
  7. A recap of the law

Application

The section of chapter 4 pertaining to the forbiddance of idolatry and the LORD being the one, true God provides occasion for prayerful reflection. There is nothing and no one like our God and He alone is worthy of all worship and praise. To look upon anything else and cast such a supreme value is treason of the highest order. How crucial it is to take the words of Moses seriously in Deut. 4:39, to lay it on our heart “that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.”

Mark 13

Observation & Interpretation

John, James, Andrew and Peter asked Jesus as to what the sign would be prior to the destruction of the temple. “The Lord’s answer included the destruction of a later temple, which would take place during the Great Tribulation, prior to His Second Advent.” (BBC). Jesus told them to be on guard and that they would be delivered over to councils, stand before governors and kings for His sake, and bear witness before them. It will be a time of great tumult, when brother will deliver brother over to death, a father his child and children will rise against parents. They would be hated for His name’s sake and told them that the one who endured to the end would be saved.

Application

This provides for us the stark reality of the opposition and persecution we should expect as followers of Christ. Because the truth of Christ’s gospel abrades with the world, our faithfulness to the Lord will inevitably lead to hardship. There is possibility for avoidance if we are truly walking in a manner worthy of His great name. It is a calling to follow our Lord into His suffering and one that requires endurance, but how great a reward awaits those who persevere to the end.

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