As his final act before he dies, Moses pronounces a blessing on (almost) each of the twelve tribes of Israel. In making this his last act, he hearkens back to the blessing Jacob – on his death bed – gave to each of his sons over four hundred years ago. Moses blesses each of the […]
After 120 years (assuming the number is literal) of an amazing life, Moses reaches the end. God told him he would die before Israel entered the land, and the time to enter the land is here. He has instructed the people and blessed them and commissioned their new leader, so there is nothing more he […]
In the middle of commissioning Joshua in Chapter 31, God says something very interesting to Moses. He tells him in verses 16-18 that after Moses dies the people will forsake God and will be punished with many evils and troubles. Then in verse 19 He says, “Now therefore, write this song for yourselves, and teach […]
Israel as a nation has been around since the birth of Isaac over 500 years ago, but only one man has ever officially been its leader. Moses has led the nation for the last 40 years and has been the channel through which the people have received their laws, their structure of governance, and their […]
He has reached the end. After speaking thirty chapters of material and saying everything he can think of to prepare Israel to enter the land, Moses has reached the end of his last sermon. He will speak to the people again to commission his successor, to bless them and to teach them a song of […]
Moses continues with the gospel according to Deuteronomy. In verses 1-10 of this chapter he told the Israelites they will fall away in the future but God will bring them back to the land and restore their place as His chosen people. He will do for them what they will not be able to do […]
Chapter 30 records the conclusion of Moses’ final sermon to Israel. He knows he is very near to the day of his death and so wants to leave the people with the most important things for them to remember. To do so he gives them a glimpse of the future. He shows them that even […]
In Chapter 28 Moses puts all the cards on the table in regard to the blessings and curses associated with the covenant. He has talked many times about God’s blessing being contingent on the people’s obedience and that God will remove His protection and care if they disobey (it is really the basis of the […]
In the remainder of Moses’ second sermon – which began at 5:1 – he continues to apply and clarify the Law. In these chapters he adds flesh to the skeleton of the Law with statutes that apply to specific situations. This study will highlight certain statutes and seek to explain their historical-cultural context. Some of […]
The foundation of the covenant is its prohibition against worshiping any god other than Yahweh. Nothing is more fundamental to the people’s place as God’s chosen people than their exclusive worship of Him. Thus violations of the first two commandments are to be dealt with in the harshest terms. In Chapter 13 Moses lists specific […]
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