These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel in the desert east of the Jordan. “Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them…Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it…Observe them carefully.” (Deuteronomy 1:1, 4:1–2, 6, NIV 1984).
My Musings – At this point, only the early history and the law had been recorded. No wisdom literature, major or minor prophets. No Gospels, epistles, no New Testament. But I think what Moses says about “the decrees and laws,” applies to the entirety of the Old and New Testament. Do not add and do not subtract. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:15–17, NIV 1984).
A bit not subtly, but just as important, “Observe them carefully.” That is to say, do not alter it. The oldest heresy in the “book” was “crafty” and started in the garden. “Did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1, NIV 1984). And it is still widely used today to distort what God has said. Usually to “suit their own desires…to say what their itching ears want to hear. (2 Timothy 4:3, NIV 1984). Things that are “good…and pleasing to the eye.” (Genesis 3:6, NIV 1984). Designed by the deceiver to “[have] a form of godliness but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3:4–5, NIV 1984).
My Advice – Do not fall for it. But rather, “do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15, NIV 1984). The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help us God.
The Brew Is A Musing 