This is the fifth entry in a series on Songs from the Books of the Bible.

Southern Gospel songs focus on many of the highest themes known to mankind—songs of Salvation, the Cross, the Resurrection, and eternity. But critics claim that they focus on these themes to the exclusion of other Biblical themes which are appropriate and perhaps necessary to address in song.

For how many chapters in Deuteronomy can we find Southern Gospel songs addressing their themes? (I’ve added chapter summaries to help spark thoughts.)

• Chapter 1: Moses recaps establishment of captains to help rule Israel; Israel rejects Promised Land
• Chapter 1: Let’s Go In (Dixie Echoes, Anchormen)
• Chapter 2: Moses recaps Edom, Moabites
• Chapter 3: Moses recaps Og, land divisions, and Joshua’s appointment
• Chapter 3: Joshua Led God’s Children (Chuck Wagon Gang)
• Chapter 4: Moses summarizes the covenant
• Chapter 5: Ten Commandments
• Chapter 6: Command to pass law along to children
• Chapter 7: Command to conquer Canaan
• Chapter 8: Blessings of Promised Land
• Chapter 9: Moses recaps rebellion
• Chapter 10: Moses recaps God’s mercy
• Chapter 11: Moses charges people to keep the commandments
• Chapter 12: Commands for conquest of Canaan
• Chapter 13: Commands for those who seduce to follow other gods
• Chapter 14: Dietary laws, laws of tithes (are there any songs about tithing?)
• Chapter 14: What’s Mine is Yours, Lord (Silent Power with Danny Funderburk)
• Chapter 15: Law of seven-year release from debts; laws of firstborn
• Chapter 16: Laws of feasts and judges
• Chapter 17: Laws of idolaters and kings
• Chapter 18: Laws for priests and prophets
• Chapter 19: Laws for cities of refuge
• Chapter 20: Laws for war
• Chapter 21: Laws for unknown murder, marriages, and rebellious sons
• Chapter 22: Laws for brothers’ property, separations, and marriages
• Chapter 23: Laws for admission in the tabernacle
• Chapter 24: Laws for divorce
• Chapter 25: Laws for civil punishments
• Chapter 26: Laws for the tithe; vows between Israel and God
• Chapters 27-28: Promise of the land of milk and honey; blessings of obedience; curses of disobedience (it’s a tossup where to place the milk and honey songs, with all the times the phrase appears!)
• Chapter 27:3 ff.: I’ve Passed Over into Canaanland (Gold City, Kingdom Heirs)
• Chapter 27:3 ff.: A Land where Milk and Honey Flows (Blackwood Brothers)
• Chapter 27:3 ff.: Where the Milk and Honey Flow (Cathedrals)
• Chapter 27:3 ff.: Milk & Honey (Hoppers, Punches Family) 
• Chapter 27:3 ff.: Where the Milk and Honey Flows (Statesmen)
• Chapter 29: Participants in covenant
• Chapter 30: Restoration after rebellion; accessibility of the Word
• Chapter 31: Moses’ charges to Joshua and to Israel
• Chapter 32: Moses’ song
• Chapter 33: Moses blesses the tribes of Israel
• Chapter 34: Moses views the Promised Land and dies
• Chapter 34: Set Me on the Rock, Joshua (George Younce, Gaither Homecoming Friends)
• Chapter 34: Canaanland is Just in Sight (Heaven Bound, Cathedrals, Crist Family, Florida Boys, Gaither Homecoming Friends, Old Paths)
• Deuteronomy (overall, or Exodus, but we already did Exodus): Bound for the Land of Canaan (Kingsmen, Chuck Wagon Gang, Lewis Family, Naomi and the Segos)
• Deuteronomy (overall, or Exodus, but we already did Exodus): My Eyes Shall Be on Canaan’s Land (Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain Railroad)
• Deuteronomy (overall, or Exodus, but we already did Exodus): Goodbye Egypt (Hello Canaan Land) (Ernie Haase & Signature Sound)

What others come to mind?

I’ve heard of the importance of first impressions and I find myself at times wondering what kind of an impression I make on people when I first meet them. Do they think I’m intelligent or stupid? Nice or a snob? Do they feel the love of Jesus, or am I too wrapped up in my own things that they view me as selfish? Then I begin to wonder if how others view me is how I really am or if I’m how I perceive myself, which is sometimes the opposite of what others see. In the midst of my confusion, I remind myself that, ultimately, it doesn’t matter what others see as long as I’m serving the One who does matter. Others may question my motives but I need to make sure everything I do is led by the Holy Spirit. I need to make sure I’m serving with a humble heart as opposed to wanting to be noticed. If I’m kind to someone, I need it to be out of love for that person instead of a need to be treated kindly in return. That’s what Jesus did, and I need to be willing to do that as well.

I’m glad that, when Christ first met me, He didn’t judge me by what He could see at the time but He saw a girl who needed a Daddy, and He could see who I could be once the rough layers were peeled off. I still have times where I wonder why God continues to bear with me. I wouldn’t bear with myself most of the time but He obviously still sees a girl He can use. I praise Him for that.

Thinking of His insight into me makes me want to learn to give that same grace to others. It’s easy to see people who are ravaged by sin and to think they’ll never change but, if God can save me, He can save them. I just need not to let my first impression of them turn me away. I pray God will help me to see others through His eyes. Some of the most well-dressed, joking around people are the loneliest and saddest. Sometimes it’s the ones who seem the most spiritual who have no genuine relationship with God. God doesn’t look on the outside but He looks on the heart. As a human, that’s hard to do but I pray God will continue to help me to grow in that area. May we all strive to not judge first impressions but to look at others with God’s impression.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day, Everyone!

SouthernGospelBlog.com periodically features book reviews on Sunday afternoons. So that the home page can remain focused on Southern Gospel news, just click the story title or the “read more” button to read the review.

I just spent several hours updating the Weatherfords’ entry at SGHistory with everything I know of their personnel through the years. I also checked their website and Lily Fern’s autobiography (With All My Heart). Does anyone have additional information on when different members were with the group? If so, post it here in the comments, and I’ll update the page.