Sharper Iron From Kfuo Radio

Rev. Lucas Witt, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Baltimore, MD, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 29:1-29. As his death draws nearer, Moses summons all Israel to continue to urge them to faithfulness. He reminds them of all that the LORD has done for them up to their day. The LORD has done this for all of them: men and women, young and old, sojourner and native. The LORD’s Word is for them, but it is not only for them; it is also for the generations to come. Moses warns them lest they fall into idolatry, such as they had left behind in Egypt. No one can think that he is safe from breaking the LORD’s commands. If Israel does, the LORD will bring about His curses, and all the nations will look in wonder upon what the LORD did to His own people. Even though His people have been faithless and in His secret will the LORD acts in ways that His people may not understand, we cling to His revealed will to bring us to repentance and faith and so save us through Jesus. “The Law of God is G

Rev. Stephen Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 28:45-68. Moses continues to speak of the curses that the LORD will bring upon Israel if they break the covenant. This will not happen by historical coincidence; the LORD will cause His people to serve their enemies because they did not serve Him. The LORD will make use a foreign nation to send His people into exile, which happens especially with Assyria and Babylon. The description of the people’s suffering during the siege is absolutely horrific; such is the way of sin. As the curse grows worse and worse, the LORD reminds us of the need for repentance, lest in unrepentant sin we separate ourselves from Him and His blessing. “The Law of God is Good and Wise” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Deuteronomy. Though Moses’ lengthy sermons in Deuteronomy may be tempting to skip, this influential book is essential reading for Christians. As Moses strengthened Israel o

Rev. David Appold, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Paducah, KY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 28:15-44. Moses turns from the blessings for keeping the covenant to the curses for breaking the covenant. The curses are noticeably longer; God takes sin absolutely seriously, and He will punish it. As the blessings touched every aspect of life, so the curses touch every aspect of life. To live under God’s curse is to receive a living death. All hope and promise is taken away because of rebellion against God and stubborn refusal to live under His Word. As Moses lays out the various effects of the curses, his words become prophetic, as we know Israel did indeed fall away from the LORD. Recognizing the severity of sin and its curse gives us an even greater joy for what Christ has done by becoming a curse in our place. “The Law of God is Good and Wise” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Deuteronomy. Though Moses’ lengthy sermons in Deuteronomy may be tempting

Rev. Jeffrey Ries, pastor at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tacoma, WA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 28:1-14. Moses begins to lay out the blessings that Israel will experience if they keep the LORD’s commandments. The LORD’s blessing will touch absolutely every aspect of Israel’s life in the Promised Land. No matter where they are or what they are doing, Israel will receive the LORD’s blessing if they keep His Word. The history of Israel shows the ways that the LORD blessed His people in these ways, though their eventual unfaithfulness led the LORD to bring about His curses against them as well. Christ is the One who has kept God’s Law perfectly so that by faith in Him, we receive the blessing of God, not simply temporally, but especially eternally in the resurrection when Jesus returns. “The Law of God is Good and Wise” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Deuteronomy. Though Moses’ lengthy sermons in Deuteronomy may be tempting to skip, this influentia

Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, associate pastor and headmaster at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Brenham, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 27:9-26. The Levitical priests join Moses to tell the people of Israel to be quiet and listen to the LORD’s Word. When the people go over the Jordan into the Promised Land, six tribes will stand on Mount Gerizim for blessing and six tribes will stand on Mount Ebal for curses. The curses that the Levites will declare all connect to the Decalogue. Those who do not love God above all else and love their neighbor as themselves ally themselves with the devil as enemies of God. He speaks these curses in order to warn the people of the great seriousness of sin, and the people respond by saying, “Amen,” for all God’s Word is true. St. Paul quotes from the last verse of this text in reference to Christ, who has become the curse for us so that in Him we receive God’s blessing of forgiveness and life eternal. “The Law of God is Good and Wise” is a series on

Rev. Dr. Jeff Dukeman, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Gulfport, MS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 27:1-8. Moses begins his third sermon in the book of Deuteronomy. As Moses’ earthly life draws to a close and the people will be under new leadership, the elders join Moses in instructing the people. The emphasis on keeping the LORD’s Word continues. When the people enter into the Promised Land, they are to have a physical reminder of the importance of God’s Word by constructing an altar on Mount Ebal. Uncut stones will be covered in plaster so that the Word of God can be written on the altar; perhaps this is the entire book of Deuteronomy or the Decalogue. The sacrifices offered at this altar will be a joyful reminder of what God has done and what God has spoken to His people. “The Law of God is Good and Wise” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Deuteronomy. Though Moses’ lengthy sermons in Deuteronomy may be tempting to skip, this influential book is

Rev. Kyle Mietzner, chaplain in the United States Army training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 26:1-19. The LORD will bring His people into the Promised Land, in fulfillment of His promise. Their offerings of firstfruits and tithes there will remind them that all they have is a gift from the LORD. Their giving will be a joyful act of worship as they recall how the LORD had taken them from nothing to make them into His holy people. By giving their things to support the priests, Levites, and those in need, they show their absolute dependence upon the LORD as the One who provides all things needful. Moses wraps up his second sermon in Deuteronomy by reminding the people that the LORD has declared them to be His treasured possession. In grateful thanks for what the LORD has done, they must hold onto His Word with all their heart and soul. “The Law of God is Good and Wise” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Deuteronomy. Though Mose

Rev. James Yonkers, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Danville, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 25:1-19. God’s Law consistently calls for true justice, in which crimes are punished appropriately while upholding the humanity of both the criminal and the judge. Those who labor should receive their wages from their work. Instructions surrounding levirate marriage come from a concern for preserving a family line, as does a law for punishment for a woman who inappropriately prevents a man from having children. Fair and just measurements are required for Israelites, lest the poor receive injustice. The LORD will have His justice carried out on nations that have rejected Him and His people. “The Law of God is Good and Wise” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Deuteronomy. Though Moses’ lengthy sermons in Deuteronomy may be tempting to skip, this influential book is essential reading for Christians. As Moses strengthened Israel on the plains of Moab before the

Rev. Greg Truwe, pastor at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cole Camp, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 24:1-22. Moses continues to speak God’s Word to a wide variety of situations Israel will face in the Promised Land. He does not command divorce, but provides an allowance for a very specific situation due to the hardness of the human heart. The positive command concerning a man staying at home with his wife for a year after marriage instead of serving in the army reveals the sanctity of God’s gift of marriage. Concern for the lowly in society is revealed by laws concerning pledges, theft, loans, wages, justice, and harvesting. The memory of how God rescued Israel from Egypt provides important motivation for Israel, even as the joy over Christ’s salvation of us sinners provides motivation for our good works today. “The Law of God is Good and Wise” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Deuteronomy. Though Moses’ lengthy sermons in Deuteronomy may be temp

Rev. David Vandercook, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in North Little Rock, AR and Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church in Maumelle, AR, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 23:1-25. As Moses speaks about who shall not enter the assembly of the LORD, the matter of true or false religion is the key. Purposeful mutilation of the body is a rejection of God’s promise of the Seed in Genesis 3. The LORD desires that all people would come to true faith in Him, but those who hold onto their false religion cannot be a part of His assembly. Because He dwells in the Israelite camp, their concern for holiness and cleanliness is paramount, even as they also show consideration for the well-being of their neighbor. Laws concerning escaped slaves, cult prostitution, interest on loans, vows, and gleaning all apply the Decalogue to the everyday lives of Israel in the Promised Land. “The Law of God is Good and Wise” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Deuteronomy. Though Moses’ length

Rev. Doug Griebenaw, mission advocate for KFUO Radio in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 22:13-30. God gave the 6th Commandment in order to protect His gift of marriage. When people live in concert with this commandment, not only do husbands and wives benefit, but all of society is built up. The variety of laws that God gives through Moses uphold the holy gift of marriage, warning against sins of adultery, rape, incest, and sexual immorality. The LORD spells out consequences of actions ahead of time in order that His people would avoid such sins altogether and spare themselves not only legal ramifications, but the pain and hurt that such sins bring. Instead, God desires that His people honor marriage as His gift. “The Law of God is Good and Wise” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Deuteronomy. Though Moses’ lengthy sermons in Deuteronomy may be tempting to skip, this influential book is essential reading for Christians. As Moses strengthened Isra

Rev. Dr. Christian Preus, pastor at Mount Hope Lutheran Church and School in Casper, WY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 21:18-22:12. Moses continues to provide a variety of instructions for Israel’s life in the Promised Land. The matter of parental authority in the 4th Commandment is God’s good gift, to be despised neither by the parents nor the children. The capital punishment prescribed for children who are stubbornly disobedient to their parents’ attempts to raise them in the Word of God shows the seriousness. The man who is put to death for his crime and then hanged on a tree is cursed; this points us to the way Christ became the curse for us sinners. God’s care and concern for all His creation comes through in laws that touch on animals and agriculture. Instructions concerning clothing remind the Israelites that God created humanity male and female as His gift. “The Law of God is Good and Wise” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Deuteronomy. Though Moses

Rev. Garen Pay, pastor at Hope Lutheran Church in Idaho Falls, ID, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 21:1-17. Moses’ instruction for Israel continues into the case of an unsolved murder. Though no one in the nearest town committed the crime, still unrighteousness has been brought upon the land. The LORD provides for a particular sacrifice to atone for the unrighteousness, pointing to the blood of Christ that purifies both the unrighteousness we commit and the unrighteousness committed against us. Moses’ instructions for the treatment of female captives limit sinful proclivities of any Israelite men so that they will see these women as people, not property. Instructions concerning the rights of the firstborn in the matter of inheritance likewise prevent favoritism among those in authority from perverting justice. “The Law of God is Good and Wise” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Deuteronomy. Though Moses’ lengthy sermons in Deuteronomy may be tempting to skip,

Rev. Brian Flamme, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Roswell, NM, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 20:1-20. The LORD prepares His people for their upcoming military conquests of the Promised Land. Israel need not be afraid of larger or more technologically advanced armies, for the LORD is with them. The priest speaks to the army first, reminding them of the LORD’s promise. The officers next allow certain soldiers to leave, lest they fail to enjoy God’s good gifts in the Promised Land or hurt the morale of the troops. Finally, the commanders take their place in front of the army. The LORD mercifully instructs His people to offer terms of peace to cities far from the Promised Land, but those peoples who dwell in Canaan are to be devoted to complete destruction. Such warfare is not against the land, but the people. The LORD does not desire that His people be led astray to other gods and their abominable practices. “The Law of God is Good and Wise” is a series on Sharper Iron that go

Rev. Sean Kilgo, pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lawrence, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 19:1-21. Moses teaches the people concerning the cities of refuge they will establish once they enter the Promised Land. Three such cities have already been established on the east side of the Jordan; three more will need to be established in the Promised Land so no one will have trouble fleeing to them in the case of manslaughter. Through the cities of refuge, the LORD places a check on the sinful desire for vengeance, while also clearly providing that true justice be carried out in actual cases of murder. Property markers reminded the people that the land belonged ultimately to the LORD. The provision for two or three witnesses was a further enshrinement of justice, lest human justice be too lenient or too harsh. “The Law of God is Good and Wise” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Deuteronomy. Though Moses’ lengthy sermons in Deuteronomy may be tempting to sk

Rev. Nate Hill, pastor at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Winchester, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 18:15-22. The LORD promises His people that He will provide for them a prophet like Moses. The people must listen to this prophet, for this prophet will speak the LORD’s Word faithfully. False prophets will come, but the LORD teaches His people how to identify them. Those who do not speak in the name of the LORD are false prophets, as are those whose word does not come to pass. The faithful Old Testament prophets stand in this line, but the ultimate fulfillment of this promise is Jesus. The Father’s voice from the mount of Transfiguration confirms this truth for us still today: “Listen to Jesus!” “The Law of God is Good and Wise” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Deuteronomy. Though Moses’ lengthy sermons in Deuteronomy may be tempting to skip, this influential book is essential reading for Christians. As Moses strengthened Israel on the plains of Moab b

Rev. Steve Andrews, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee’s Summit, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 18:1-14. Moses teaches Israel how to care for the Levites and priests. The Levites and priests have no inheritance of land among the people; the LORD is their inheritance. The people of Israel provide for the physical needs of these servants of the LORD through the offering of their firstfruits. Moses transitions to speaking about the office of prophet in Israel by exposing various abominations among the Canaanites who will be displaced from the Promised Land. If Israel follows in the way of such abominations, they will be driven out themselves. Instead, Israel must listen to the LORD’s Word alone for their instruction.’ “The Law of God is Good and Wise” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Deuteronomy. Though Moses’ lengthy sermons in Deuteronomy may be tempting to skip, this influential book is essential reading for Christians. As Moses strengthened I

Rev. Matt Ulmer, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bishop, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 17:8-20. The LORD’s concern for justice continues as He teaches His people how to handle difficult legal decisions. They must go to the place that the LORD will choose for the priests and judge to decide the matter based on the LORD’s Word. Because justice is tied to the LORD’s Word, the verdict must be followed exactly, lest anyone depart from the justice that God commands in His Word. The theme of justice continues into Moses’ description of one of the three primary offices among the Israelites: the king. Though the LORD is their King, Moses speaks prophetically about the time to come when the LORD will allow a human king among His people. The king will only be successful in the sight of the LORD if the king is faithful to the LORD’s Word. Even the best of the Old Testament kings never fully live up to the description; Jesus Christ is the fulfillment. “The Law of God is Good and Wise

Rev. Joel Heckmann, pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okarche, OK, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 16:18-17:7. The LORD tells His people of the importance of justice, which is found in His Word. Judges and officers in Israel must pursue such justice without partiality or desire for a bribe. Because justice is bound up in the LORD’s Word, idolatry perverts justice. Therefore, the people must not engage in the idolatrous practices of the Canaanites nor think that they can sacrifice however they want. Whenever idolatry is found among the people of Israel, careful investigation must take place so that any idolatry can be purged from their midst. The death penalty prescribed is a reminder of the seriousness of idolatry and all sin. The LORD shows mercy and justice to us by placing our sin upon His Son Jesus and putting Him to death in our place. “The Law of God is Good and Wise” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Deuteronomy. Though Moses’ lengthy sermons in

Rev. Doug Griebenaw, mission advocate for KFUO Radio in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 16:1-17. Moses gives the LORD’s instructions for the three feasts when all Israel was to gather at the place where the LORD would choose. Even as they were spread throughout the Promised Land, the LORD provided for Israel to join together as His people to celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Booths. The Feast of Unleavened Bread, or the Passover, recalled the LORD’s rescue from Egypt. The Feast of Weeks was a celebration of the first fruits as an opportunity to show thanks and faith in the LORD. The Feast of Booths recalled the LORD’s provision for His people in their wandering and His continued care for them in the Promised Land. “The Law of God is Good and Wise” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Deuteronomy. Though Moses’ lengthy sermons in Deuteronomy may be tempting to skip, this influential book is essential read