7. Righteousness & Sin Deuteronomy 9:1-22 p. 171

Grace & Wrath All Saints’ Day (Nov 1st) Embracing God for who He is A single righteous person can change the world Embracing God for who He is Most struggle, not with His anger, but His grace It is what offended the Pharisees about Jesus

1. Whose Character Matters? Israel will drive out the nations in Canaan Two false narratives they can tell: We did this. We are smarter, more powerful, … God did this. We are pleasing, righteous, … Focus on who THEY are.

1. Whose Character Matters? … Both are wrong: All their abilities & prosperity are a gift (Dt 8:17-18) They are a stubborn rebellious people (v 6-29) Why is God helping them? (v 5) Because of the wickedness of the nations Because of His faithfulness to His covenant

1. Whose Character Matters? … Israel is used to bring judgment. They were truly evil and cruel (Israel is also God’s instrument of salvation) God is faithful to his covenant promise What mattered is who God is. He judges sin, but also works out salvation.

2. Righteous Anger The mention of wrath evokes indignation How dare God be angry with us sinners! Consider grace a basic human right. It is dishonest and one-sided. It matters that sin is acknowledged & punished Righteous anger has a place in the functioning of our world.

2. Righteous Anger … It seems that Moses has to cool God down. Mistreatment of the righteous a valid reason for anger Justice demands a response It seems that Moses has to cool God down. The story requires “good cop, bad cop” to work The relational dynamic between Moses & God.

2. Righteous Anger … God does not change his mind (Num 29:13, Jas 1:17) Moses engages with God according to His expressed will God could have raised up a nation through Moses. Moses offers himself instead of the nation (like Christ) Having expressed his righteous anger against sin, God relents according to His will.

3. Made in the Image of God God uses Israel as his Instrument of Judgment God also works through individuals. The Story of the Bible is God working through human beings. The same is true of the history of the church.

3. Made in the Image of God … We are God’s co-regents The earth is our domain We can rule wisely or harshly It is our mandate (Gen 1:28) Fill the earth, subdue it, have dominion over it. It is why saints are still so significant today

– Living It – God’s Agents in the World The Character of God: Our walk based not on who we are, but who God is Righteous Anger Is part of God’s goodness and holiness Breezily writing off evil would offend us deeply

– Living It – God’s Agents in the World Made in the Image of God We are His co-regents We are to rule it in submission to him We live to see it redeemed & restored We are instruments of grace.