Only Spirit is real

Deuteronomy 7: Wipe out the perceptions of the flesh.

Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as I attempt to read the Bible with fresh eyes, as if I don’t know anything about it, and without consulting experts on what it “really” means.. Let’s see where this takes us!

I’m reading Young’s Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Deuteronomy 7

A recurring theme in this Bible commentary is the children of Shem (spirit) supplanting the children of Ham (flesh). The nations of Canaan are of Ham, while the Israelites are of Shem.

In Deuteronomy 6 the Israelites are told, “The LORD is our God, the LORD alone.” [Emphasis added.]

I understand this as, “There is no world but God’s world, the spiritual world. Do not accept, entertain, or accommodate any thought that is not of Spirit and from Spirit. Wherever you encounter such thoughts, wipe them out.”

The Canaanite nations represent the “thoughts” that the flesh tells us are real. When our perceptions tell us there are natural forces, external spirits, or other people that are more powerful than us and must be feared, we are mistaken. Acting based on our fears, our idols, will add mistakes on…