v 1. In view of how God had blessed and multiplied them in the previous verses, they should love Him and always be totally obedient.
v 2-9. Moses reminds these people, who had been under 20 years of age at the Exodus, that they had all seen God’s chastisements, miracles and great wonders from the things done in Egypt to the threshold of entering the land. This included the destruction of the Egyptian army in the Red Sea, and the death of Nadab and Abihu when the earth opened up and swallowed them and their households. They had seen them with their own eyes, not handed down, so it was the more urgent that they obey all the commandments of the Lord and have their days in the land prolonged.
v 10-12. This wasn’t the hard life in Egypt where they had to pump water from the Nile with treadmills to water their crops. In the new land they would have rain water.
v 13-17. If they obeyed the Lord, He would send timely rains for their crops, but if they served other gods, God would shut off the rains and they would perish.
v 18-21. This is another reminder of the importance of having the Word of God constantly on our minds and hearts and teaching it to our children likewise. (See my notes on Ex. 13:8-10 regarding phylacteries and mezuzoth.)
v 22--25. If the people would be obedient, the Lord the Lord would put fear of them into the hearts of their mightier enemies and they would drive them out. In verse 23 the extent of their land is described, although they only controlled it all a short time.
Jews took it literally that any place in the world they trod upon will be theirs. Most consider that t o be in the promised land, Josh. 1:3, though in Solomon’s time, nations beyond that paid tribute to him. Of course in the Millennium Christ will rule over all.
v 26-32. The Lord gives them a clear cut choice between obedience and it’s effects, and disobedience and it’s effects. This blessing from Mount Gerazim and the curses from Mount Ebal is detailed in Deut. 27:12 to 13:14 and continuing on to 13:68.
Deuteronomy 12
v 1-5. The people were not only to obey God’s commands, they were to totally destroy all the worship places of the heathen. They were not to worship in any of those places, but only at the place God should choose. They moved the tabernacle to any place God directed and had temporary worship at Shiloh quite some time, Josh18:1, but ultimately, the place God had chosen was Jerusalem, and that was where David was allowed to move the tabernacle and where Solomon built the temple.
v 6-12. There may have been some laxity or misunderstanding about the rules, v 8, and people were not doing quite as they ought. Here, Moses makes it very clear that when they get into the land they are to definitely bring their offerings to the place God would designate. This would be a place of rejoicing for all the family and it’s servants, and special concern for Levites, because they didn’t have inheritance in the land.
v 13-16. It is further clarified that while they were to offer burnt offerings only at this particular place, yet they could kill and eat flesh at any of their homes. Clean and unclean persons alike could eat there, but of course they were limited to clean meats.
v 17-19. The tithe was a different matter. It could not be eaten at home, even if a Levite lived with them, but must be shared together after it had been offered at the tabernacle. More details on this will be in following verses and chapter 14. Again their consideration for the Levites is emphasized. Compare. Lk. 10:7, 1 Cor. 9:9 for Christian workers being worthy of their hire.
v 20-25. Clean or unclean people could eat any clean meat or food they desired without concern when the were not close to the tabernacle. The only exception being the blood, which must be poured out in respect for life which is in the blood.
v 26-28. The things offered and vowed were a different story, they were to be brought to the tabernacle and offered before the Lord. Only there could they eat it.
v 29-32. This is another reminder that after they have taken over the land they are not to fall into the ungodly practices involved with the false gods. Also a reminder to do no more or no less than what was commanded. Jews later added many more laws.
Deuteronomy 13
There are three ways in which idolatry was apt to come upon the people.
v 1-5. First, false prophets. In 18:22 they are told that if what is prophesied does not come to pass, they will know it was a false prophet. Here, even if it comes to pass, if he says to go after other gods, they will know that he is false. There is a future day when Satan will use signs and lying wonders, 2 Thess. 2:9, so the chief credential is not their sign, but the harmony of the message with the Word of God. That man is to be ignored, because the Lord is testing their love for Him. They are not only to obey and cleave to the Lord, but they are to put the false prophet to death.
v 6-11. Second, loved ones. If any family member or close friend enticed them to follow any false god, no matter where from, they were to not to listen to him. No opportunity for two or three witnesses because he was secretly enticing you. Moreover they were not to pity, spare or conceal him, but were to kill him by stoning. The accuser, as in other cases, even though a close relative or friend, was to throw the first stone, then the rest of the people would. This was a deterrent to turning close ones away from the Lord.
v 12-18. Third, rebellious. In the case of a city that evil people had turned from the Lord, diligent investigation was to be made to be sure it was true. If it was, then the whole city should be killed with the sword and every bit of the spoils brought to the middle of the street and burned. The city was never to be rebuilt. Then the Lord would have mercy upon them and bless them.
Deuteronomy 14
v 1,2. They were to be a holy, peculiar people unto the Lord, so they were to avoid heathen customs of anguish for the dead such as cutting themselves and making baldness between their eyes. The latter may refer to both shaving hair and afflicting their minds over the dead. The cutting may have also included any other cutting of the body in worship. I have seen the place in South Dakota where at a powwows the Indians make slits in their chests and insert wooden sticks under the skin. The sticks have a cloth ribbon tied to them and to the top of a pole. They jump and dance around until they are able to jerk the sticks out of their skin. A few whites involved in false religion pay a price and practice this with them. Believers of today are a peculiar people, Titus 2:14, separated unto God and need to be pure, doing good works.
v 3-8. This starts a series of dietary laws which in 1 Tim. 4:4 are repealed under the gospel. Various reasons are advanced as to the choice of these foods, but the best is that they were simply an arbitrary choice of God for His peculiar, separated, people. The basic distinction of the first group is that they must both chew the cud and have a split hoof. If they lacked either or both, they were considered unclean.
v 9,10. Among fish they could eat only that which had fins and scales. If they did not have both, they were considered unclean.
v 11-20. The only distinction of winged creatures was that every creeping thing that flies is unclean. Beyond that, the Lord simply named the clean and the unclean.
v 21. They could not eat that which died of itself, Ex 22:31 (Exception, see notes on Lev. 17:15 ) but could give or sell it to others. Neither were they to boil a kid in it’s mother’s milk, as practiced by heathen. See more comments on this in my notes on Ex. 23:19. The ban also given Ex,34:26.
v 22,23. They were to tithe every thing they produced agriculturally, but all their increase can be assumed as in verse 28. As stated in 12:18, they could not eat of their tithes at home, but could eat and share them with the Levites at the tabernacle (except years 3 & 6). This would be helpful, because they might be there more than a week. Some think this is a second tithe of the remaining 90%, but I can’t find any basis for it.
v 24-27. If they lived too far away to take their offering, they could sell it and use the money to buy whatever they wanted at the tabernacle. This was a practice that the money changers abused by the time of Jesus. In v 26 we see that they could even buy strong drink to use at the tabernacle. The strong drink was not hard liquor, but what we would call lite beer today. It was a means of preserving their grapes in those days, and was useful, but it or even fermented wine could cause drunkenness if used in excess. Again there is a reminder to be considerate and give that unused to the Levites.
v 28,29. Every third year was what some think was a second tithe, which was not to be taken to the tabernacle, but to be distributed in their own town. However, a careful reading of v 28 says all the tithe was kept at home that year. Levites, though they had cities and fields, should be able to live comfortably. Good treatment to strangers might persuade them to be proselytes, and of course fatherless and widows likely needed extra items. This was Israel’s obligation, not part of a world wide welfare system. We are not asked to tithe in that manner but give as God prospers, 1 Cor. 16:2. While I see no Scriptural basis for multiple tithes some pastors promote, I might add the Levites were to give a tithe of the tithes they received into the treasury, Neh. 10:38.
Deuteronomy 15
v 1-6. This begins discussion of a Sabbatic year, see also Lev. 25:1-7. Creditors were to release their Hebrew debtors from debt at the end of every Sabbatic year, which could be from one to six years of the debt. However they could continue to exact the loan from anyone not a Jew or proselyte. If they obeyed the Lord they could loan but not have to borrow from other nations.
v 7-11. Because of Israel’s lack of fidelity to the Lord, there would always be poor, so they were to loan to poor brethren as much as they needed. They were not to begrudge the fact it might be the sixth year and it would all have to be forgiven on the seventh year. That seems almost unfair until we understand that if they did that, the Lord would bless them accordingly.
v 12-15. If a Hebrew had been sold to them to serve six years, in the seventh year he or she was to go free. This need not coincide with the Sabbatic year, and they would have to serve the six full years. However, they would go free the year of Jubilee, Lev. 25:39.40. They were also to set up that servant with food and a start in livestock when they went free. This was in memory of having been slaves in Egypt till the Lord redeemed them.
v 16-18. They were not to begrudge sending a servant free and the Lord would bless them. However, if a servant liked it there and wanted to remain if his family remained, they were to take an awl and pierce through the servant’s ear to the door post, and it would be their servant forever. (As long as he lived or till the year of Jubilee. Also an Israelite was not to be treated as severely as a bond servant. Le 25:39) So it was publicly known that the servant was not forced, it was done in front of the judges, whether at the tabernacle or the master’s home. The master himself must do the piercing This act is referred to in Ps. 40:6 as Christ being the Anti-type of the sacrifices. He submitted Himself as a perpetual servant to do the Father’s will. The Jews recorded this transaction in a book, which the Psalm continues, in the volume of the book it is written of me etc.
v 19-23. The firstlings of the flock or herd were to be offered to the Lord at the tabernacle annually. They could not be worked or shorn, and must be without blemish. If it had a blemish, it could not be offered and eaten in the tabernacle, but must be eaten at home, just like a gazelle or hart, which were clean animals, but could not be sacrificed. There was the usual provision of course that the blood must be not eaten but poured out on the ground as if it were merely water.
Deuteronomy 16
v 1-8. The Passover was in what was named by the Lord as the first month of the year. Abib would be equivalent to our March or April, depending on the full moon. This is also discussed in Ex. 12 and Lev. 23. The first passover had been observed in individual homes, but now it could not be sacrificed any place except the place the Lord would designate, v 2, 5-7. At the one recorded in the wilderness, Num. 9, the lamb would have been offered at the tabernacle, the blood sprinkled, and the inwards burned on the altar. Later the tabernacle was moved to Shiloh etc., eventually to Jerusalem. They were forbidden to sacrifice the Passover any other place, but leaven was to be removed from their homes this week wherever they lived. “Evening” sacrifice in v 6 would be from 3 to 6 P M, which compares to Christ’s death on the cross, 3 P M. When the head of the home served the bread he said something to the effect, “This is the bread of affliction your fathers ate in Egypt”, whereas Christ said, “This is my body which is broken for you, this do in remembrance of me”, 1 Cor. 11:24. Some think v 7 means that the people ate at the tabernacle and went to their tents in the morning. However this was more likely a condensation that the people were to observe the week, then on the next morning they were to return to their homes (tents while traveling). The seventh, or last day, was to be a solemn assembly as they were reminded of the difficult time in Egypt. On this day, the people were to do no work , compared to other times when they were to do no servile work, or strenuous work. (See my Feast Chart in Leviticus.)
v 9-12. The Feast of Weeks was seven weeks after the Passover. It corresponds to the time of Pentecost later. It was a time of rejoicing and they brought a freewill offering expressing the blessings they had received. More detail in Lev. 23 notes.
v 13-15. The Feast of Tabernacles was in the fall after all harvesting was completed. It was a time of celebration in which they built booths as a memorial of their tents as they left Egypt. The eighth day was a solemn day. More detail in Lev. 23 notes.
v 16,17. The above mentioned feasts were a requirement for all males to attend if they were physically able, and they were always to bring a gift to the Lord. It was not limited to the males, and all others who could would attend.
v 18-20. At this point Moses did not specify how the judges were to be appointed, but they were probably from the city’s counsel of elders. All their judgments were to be fair and in keeping with the laws God had laid down. No respect of persons and taking of bribes, or their justice would be perverted. Obedience is again paired with blessing.
v 21,22. They were not to plant any kind of tree or set up any type of pillar such as the heathen were doing to their false gods, fertility worship etc. It might be said they were to avoid even the appearance of evil, 1 Thess. 5:22.
Deuteronomy 17
v 1. A blemished offering was not only detestable to the Lord as any heathen offering would be, but it destroys the typology of Christ, our perfect sacrifice.
v 2-7. Serving other gods was serious, and to stamp out evil among them, any offender was to be stoned to death. Of course two or three witnesses were required.
v 8-13. Matters of controversy were to be brought before the Levite priests and whoever was the ruling judge of them, and the disputants were to obey the decision. If they presumptuously chose to disobey the judgment, that person was to die. This would cause others to fear, and stamp out this evil practice.
v 14-18. The Lord knew and told the people through Moses that some time after entering the promised land the people would request a king like other nations. Several regulations were given for this. He must be one of them, not a foreigner. He was not multiply horses or allow the people to trade with Egypt for horses. He was not to have multiple wives. Many times this would be done for political alliance instead of trusting in the Lord. He was not to greatly multiply to himself silver and gold, thus making him feel independent of the Lord. He was to write, read and obey all the laws carefully so that he would have a right spirit before God and longevity of leadership. Solomon started off so well, then grossly violated all three of those commands.
Deuteronomy 18
v 1,2. The Levites were not to have an inheritance among the other tribes, but all Levites were to eat of the offerings. (Their inheritance is discussed Numbers 18-) Aaron and his sons had specified portions which they were to have.
v 3-5. From the offering of ox or sheep the priests were to receive the shoulder, which we have determined to be the left hind quarter, (See notes EX 29:26-28 where the breast is also mentioned) the two cheeks and the stomach. The latter two seem a little strange to us, but the stomach was considered a delicacy to them. Mexicans today enjoy stomach soup, but our missionaries there do not. They were also to receive the first fruits of grain, wine, oil and sheep fleece.
v 6-8. If a Levite chose to come to the sanctuary to serve, not as a priest, but to assist them, he was also entitled to eat of the priest’s food. He was also allowed to retain the proceeds of property he had sold before coming.
v 9-14. Spiritism is forbidden in this section. Child sacrifice is forbidden, as the heathen caused their children to pass through the fire to Molech. Also all types of conjuring or astrology, use of omens, use of magic formulas and incantations, charmers, consulting mediums, or trying to interrogate the dead. Those were all practices of the heathen around them. Many Americans today consult the astrology chart the first thing they receive the morning paper. Witchcraft and Satanism is also on the increase.
v 15-19. Because of the Israelite fears at Horeb and their request that the Lord speak to Moses and not directly to them, they are assured the Lord will allow a succession of prophets following Moses. The ultimate Great Prophet referred to would be Christ, and they accepted this as a prophecy of the Messiah, Jn. 5:46. This was they passage they had in mind in Jn. 1:21 when they asked John the Baptist if he was that prophet. However they rejected Christ when He came, just as they rejected many of God’s prophets.
v 20- 22. Since the people should trust their prophets, any false prophet should be killed. There were two tests of a false prophet. a. If he spoke in the name of other gods and refuted the revealed word of God. b. If the things he prophesied in the name of the Lord did not come to pass. They need not fear those self proclaimed prophets.
Deuteronomy 19
v 1--13. This reviews the cities of refuge, Num 35;1-34. See also Josh. 20.
v 14. The land mark was important then for marking inheritance, and is today as a part of surveying property. Many people have dug down to that stone for starting point.
v 15-21. It is important that one person’s testimony can be confirmed by another. For Israel the harm a false witness intended was imposed upon himself. It was serious, eye for eye etc.
Deuteronomy 20
v 1-4. Before battle a priest was to encourage men not to be fearful because the Lord would go before them against their enemies.
v 5-9. If a man had just built a new house, or betrothed a wife, they were excused from battle. Any who were fearful were to return home too, so they would not make the others fearful. Captains then were appointed to lead the people.
v 10-14. Cities which were far off they could offer peace, and if the people accepted, they would just be made servants. If they resisted, all the males would be killed, but the women, children, cattle and other spoils they could keep.
v 15-18. There was to be know offer of peace to the wicked people where they were to inherit. They were to kill everything that breathed, utterly destroying them so that they would not lead Israel into following their false gods and wicked practices.
v 19,20. Any tree not for food could be cut down for bulwarks in siege of a city, but all trees which could be used for foods were to be preserved for Israel’s future use.
Deuteronomy 21
v 1-9. If a person was found dead in the field, the elders of the nearest city were to take a heifer which had never been worked to a rough, untended valley and cut off her head. Then the priests and all the elders of that city shall wash their hands over her body, declaring their innocence and lack of knowledge about the death of the person, asking the Lord not to lay innocent blood at their charge. The men who threw Jonah overboard asked the same prayer of the Lord, Jon. 1:14. In mercy, Stephen asked a similar prayer for the people who were stoning him, “lay not this sin to their charge”, Act 7:60. The Jews must have been amazed when Pilate washed his hands in front of them and said, “I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it”, Mt. 27:24.
v 10-14. A captive woman was to shave her head, trim her nails and bewail her a month before she could be taken to wife. If he didn’t like her, he could release but not sell her because he had humbled her.
v 15-17. A man with two wives must give the double portion to the first born whether he likes her best or not.
v 18-21. Parents bring a perpetually stubborn and rebellious son to the elders of the city at the city gate, declare his fault, and the city’s men would stone him to death.
v 22,23. Any man hanged was not to be left on the tree that night, but taken down and buried the same day.
Deuteronomy 22
v 1-3. Any strayed animals or lost items you must return to the owner if you know.
v 4. If a man’s ox falls you are to help him get it up.
v 5. Women are not to wear men’s garments or men a woman’s garment.
v 6,7. If a bird’s nest falls, take the young but let the mother go, and you live longer.
v 8. If you build a house, put a railing around the roof to prevent falls.
v 9-12. These laws of separation were strictly Jewish. Don’t mix seeds, work an ox and ass together, or wear clothing of mixed kinds of cloth. They were to make fringes on the four corners of their garments. Pharisees abused this one in pride, Mt. 23:5.
v 13-21. If a man accused his wife of not being a virgin, the parents were to bring to the elders evidence she was. Then they would whip the man, fine him 100 shekels of silver which was given to her parents, and he must keep her as his wife, no divorce. If she was guilty, then they would stone her with stones till she died.
v 22. If a man is caught in adultery with a married woman, both must die.
v 23,24. If a man assaulted a betrothed virgin in the city, both should die, because she could have called for help.
v 25-27. In a similar situation in the field, only the man would die because she had no way to get help. It is the same as if he killed a man.
v 28,29. If a man assaulted a virgin not betrothed, he must give her father fifty shekels of silver, take her to wife and never put her away.
v 30. Incest with a man’s father’s wife is forbidden.
Deuteronomy 23
v 1. A man with imperfect private area could not enter the congregation.
v 2. An illegitimate one could not enter the congregation till the tenth generation.
v 3-6. An Ammonite or Moabite could not enter the congregation until the tenth generation because they hired Balaam against Israel and denied them food. Israel could not wish them peace or prosperity forever. This did not apply to Ruth, because the Jewish law followed the father, not the mother, and as wife of Boaz, Ruth was considered an Israelite. She had already declared Naomi’s God as her God.
v 7,8. They could not abhor an Edomite because they were “brothers” or Egyptian because they had lived in their land. Children of those could enter the congregation of Israel in the third generation.
9-20. These special rules regarding uncleanness and separation can best be taken at face value direct from Scripture. Unusual is the command that an escaped slave was not to be returned to his master, but be allowed to dwell in one of their towns without fear of oppression. Perhaps this reminded them of their oppression in Egypt. Harlotry and sodomy were renounced, and they could not lend at interest to fellow Jews, but could to non Jews.
v 21-23. It was alright not to vow, but if you vow you must keep it, Num. 30.
v 24,25. In passing through a neighbor’s field, it was alright to eat grapes and grain in passing, but not to carry out or take a sickle to the grain. This was practiced by Jesus and the disciples, Mt. 12:1.
Deuteronomy 24-26
This Sunday School lesson covers 15 chapters, far more than can be analyzed in detail, so until I have more time, I will just list some chapter high lights. Chapters 12 - 26 are rules for religious, civil, social and domestic life of the people in the new land. Some of these are practical for us, but they are all given for the Jews to follow.
Deuteronomy 24
v 1-4. This involves Moses’ laws of divorce. If a man divorces and she marries another, if they divorce or he dies, the first husband can not remarry her. (Not so today)
v 5-.22. Each of these verses has to do with other regulations of holiness and mercy, such as verse 5, a man newly married did not have to go to war for one year. Others have to do with pledges, oppression and consideration, as paying day laborers each day for their work,v 15. Then 19-22 deal with leaving some harvests for gleaners.
Deuteronomy 25
v 1-3. The Jews practiced 40 stripes save 1, that is 39, so they would not make a mistake and go above 40, thus disobeying this rule, 2 Cor. 11:24.
v 5-10. If a Jewish man died without sons, his brother was to marry the woman and the firstborn son would carry on the inheritance of the first husband. Some refused to do this, such as Onan in Gen. 38:9. However it was a shame to disobey. This was only partially involved in Ruth 4:7, so she did not spit in the man’s face.
v 11,12. I know two men who were fighting on the street in my town, and the wife of one started hitting the other with her shoe. Had she done as this woman did , she would have lost her hand.
v 13-16. This involves honest weights and measures.
v 17-19. The Lord’s statement, Ex. 17:16, that He would have war with Amalek from generation to generation proved quite true, as Amalek is mentioned numerous times in six other books of the Bible. This was after the incident where Aaron and Hur held up Moses hands while they fought Amalek. Israel was told in Deut. 25:19 to blot out the name of Amalek, but they failed to do so. Saul was told to utterly destroy Amalek, 1 Sam. 15:3, but he also failed to do so.
Deuteronomy 26
v 1-15. This chapter has to do with the command to offer the first fruits. See also Ex. 23:16-19 and Lev. 23:9-14. Abraham lived at Haran in Syria several years. Jacob was half Syrian,v 15, by his mother, Gen. 25:20. He lived and served in Syria 14 years for his wives and more years for livestock. Now they offer for the way they are blessed.
Verse 12 refers to the third year as the year of tithing. Contrary to those who think this was a one time offering, see my notes on this in Deut. 14:28.29.
v 16-19 The gist of later verses is that Israel’s responsibility was obedience. The Lord’s responsibility is to make them high above all nations. That is the Millennium.
Deuteronomy 27-28
These 2 chapters point out that obedience brings blessing, disobedience a curse.
Deuteronomy 27
v 1. With Moses soon departure, the elders have an increasing role.
v 2-8. After crossing the Jordan, Israel was to set up a monument as a testimony of their faith, but his real desire is to have it written on their hearts, Heb. 8:10. Other altars of whole stones have been found in Israel and the Sinai Peninsula, Ex. 20:25.
v 9.10. Israel was already God’s people, but now they have a fresh commitment.
v 11-26. Moses appointed all the sons of Leah and Rachel except two to stand on Mt Gerazim to bless the people by Amen. Leah’s oldest and youngest, Reuben and Zebulun stood on Mt Ebal to give Amen to the curse. The Levites stood in the valley to pronounce with a loud voice both the blessings and the curses.
Deuteronomy 28
v 1-14. The blessings and curses of both chapters are self explanatory, but the blessings depended on Israel’s obedience Three times as many verses in these two chapters are devoted to warning as to promises of blessing.
v 15-48. Disobedience would bring all these curses which are self explanatory. Many are in contrast to blessing such as “head and not the tail” v 13 as against v 44. Some have broken these verses into three main categories. Verses 20-26 are what a casual observer might think were natural calamities. Verses 27-37 express inescapable frustrations and helplessness. Verses 38-46 show God’s judgment on the productivity of the land. They would put the next two verses in with verse 49 on invasion.
v 49-62. These verses of invasion for disobedience. It would cause such horrors that people would even eat their children, v 55-57. This actually took place, 2 Ki. 6:28,29; Lam. 4:10. Original of verse 57 is she would eat her own afterbirth in secret. Josephus tells in Roman siege a woman ate half her child, but a mob smelled the meat and broke in so she shared the rest. They would also become few in number rather than a multitude. Many other of these verses have been literally fulfilled many times.
v 63-68. Whereas most of the previous warnings were regarding things within the land, these verses are a warning of dispersion. In Deut. 17:16 the Lord said they would no more return to Egypt, but 25:68 says that because of disobedience they would, and that happened Jer. 43 and other times. The world wide dispersion of course continues.
Deuteronomy 29-30
Deuteronomy 29
v 1-8. Notice in v 1 a covenant in addition to the earlier “Mosaic Covenant”. These two chapters have to do with the Palestinian Covenant, and these verses give a birds eye review of what has happened since leaving Egypt.
It is interesting to note in v 5 that not only did shoes and clothing not wear out, but they had to grow along with the children. Over 40,000 sandal clad foot prints have been chiseled into the hard rock in the area around the true Sinai in Saudi Arabia. Parents may have wanted to leave a record of this fact. Or they may have taken literally the words of Moses in Deut. 19:8 (Josh 1:3).and confirmed the sole of their feet had claimed everything promised to Abraham, Gen. 15:18. .
v 9-15. Obedience to this covenant was to apply to every individual, not only those present, but those who would come afterward. Obedience would bring blessing.
v 16-28. This section is warning against disobedience. A special warning in v 19, 20 not to deceive themselves into thinking anyone would have peace in his heart even if he walked in a corrupt way from his heart, because the Lord would not spare him. In verses 24-28, their enemies will ask why the Lord has dealt so harshly with Israel, but even they will know it is because Israel turned from the Lord.
v 29. It is good not to inquire into the secret things of God. The things He has revealed are not to simply satisfy our curiosity about the future, but that knowledge about the future should bring about faithfulness in our lives and cleansing from defilement. 1 Jo 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Deuteronomy 30
v 1-10. Restoration under the Palestinian Covenant depended on Israel’s repentance. Circumcision separated Israel from other nations, but it did not separate the world from Israel or Israel unto God. That could only be done by an internal operation, the circumcision of the heart, v 6. They must “Return to God with all thy heart and with all thy soul”, v 10.
v 11-14. Moses concludes this message by emphasizing that God’s revelation is not by secret organizations, rituals, pilgrimages and such. They clearly knew God’s will, it was in their mouths and hearts, v 14. All they needed to do was obey it.
v 15-20. God had set before Israel a choice, life or death, good or evil, blessing or cursing. He allowed them to make the choice, but His desire was that they should choose life and live. Then they could have all the blessings He had promised to their forefathers.
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you,v 19. That same challenge is open to us, to choose life or death. Unsaved may choose eternal life with God, or eternal separation from Him in the torments of Hell. Believers may choose abundant life now and rewards to follow, or they can choose to live as they please, ignoring God, possibly facing chastening or other consequences of their disobedience, and enter heaven with no rewards. Which will it be?
Deuteronomy 31
v 1,2. Moses was not disabled by old age. His natural force was not abated at 120 years old, 34:7. He could no longer perform his duties because he was not permitted to cross Jordan, and it was time to turn leadership over to another.
v 3-6. They were not losing their real leader, God. He would continue to care for them as He had in the past, so they needed to be strong and courageous.
v 7,8. Joshua is given the same command before the people, to be strong and courageous, because God would be with them.
v 9-13. Israel’s men were required to attend the feasts of the Lord three times a year and many of the families went along. However, at the end of every seventh year, the year of canceling debts, apparently at the feast of tabernacles, all the women, children and even others living in the land were required to come. At this time, the entire book of Deuteronomy would be read to all, because many of the rules and punishments applied to anyone living in the land. Adults would thus be reminded of their obligations, and children would learn to follow the Lord. They would hear, learn and fear (obey) the Lord.
v 14-21. This was a dramatic change of command. Moses and Joshua came into the tabernacle of the Lord and the Lord appeared to them in a pillar of cloud and spoke to them. The message God gave was sad, not because Moses was going to die, but because he was told how the people would corrupt themselves and turn to other gods after they entered the land. Moses is commanded to write a song, which God would give him, and teach it to the people. Thus it would be in their mouths and a constant testimony and witness against them for their wickedness.
v 24-30. Moses immediately wrote the song (Chapter 32), began to teach it to the people and again charged Joshua to be courageous. Moses spoke to him the words of the Lord. The original Hebrew is not clear, but obviously the book of the law, which here means the book of Deuteronomy, was placed beside the ark, v 26. The 10 commandments were inside. Now Moses knows both from experience and the word from God that the people will corrupt themselves, so he gathers them to hear God’s Word with the same declaration as in 30:19, “I call heaven and earth to record against them”. Jewish writers disagree, but the consensus is that there were two books of Deuteronomy, one kept beside the ark, and the other kept out to be used by both religious and civil leaders in dealing with questions. It appears to have been read by Joshua, Solomon (the preacher), other kings, Ezra and others. It would be a pleasure, not a task. As other copies became available they were later read in synagogues and some homes.
Verse 30 introduces the song of the next chapter.
Deuteronomy 32
v 1-3. Introduction to the Song of Moses
v 4-9. God’s perfection and Israel’s folly (Notice v 4)
v 10-14. Blessing for Israel
v 15-18. Israel’s ingratitude
v 19-22. God’s jealousy
v 23-27. His chastisement
v 28-33. Israel’s lack of discernment
v 34-38. God’s vengeance on her foes (Notice v 35)
v 39-43. God’s sovereignty (Notice v 39)
v 44-47. The song has ended and this is Moses last exhortation to the people. Christians many times feel that obedience is optional, but it is our life, v 47; Rom. 12:1.
v 48-52. According to 31:22, Moses wrote the song the Lord commanded the same day he and Joshua appeared before the Lord in the tabernacle. He taught it to the people, but it seems too long for them to have learned it all that same day, so we can infer he began to teach it to them. It seems from 32:44-47 that he gave his final exhortation the same day he first read the song to them. Then in v 48 we see it was the very same day that the Lord ordered Moses up Mount Nebo where he died. God reminds Moses, Deut 3:26, that because of his sin of striking the rock as though he and Aaron were the ones performing the miracle, he would not get to enter the land. Moses had not only failed to honor God, but he had broken God’s symbolism, that Christ had to only be smitten for us once. After we are saved, we have but to speak to Him. Moses was promised again that from the mount he would get to see the promised land, see Chapter 34. This had been a long day already, so I would suggest that Moses gave the blessing of chapter 33 to the people that evening, but didn’t begin the long trek up the mountain until the wee dawn hours of the next day.
Deuteronomy 33
v 1-5. At the time the law was given, most of these people had not yet been born and the others were under 20 years of age. As a prelude to the blessing he was to give, Moses reminds them of the awe inspiring mountain which was on fire. The Lord and His angels apparently appeared to come from the north, Seir. The people had said, “All that the Lord hath spoken we will do”, so they had truly recognized God as king in Jeshurun (Symbolic name for Israel describing her ideal character.)
v 6. People of Reuben fade but live, their land now inhabited by Arabs.
v 7. Judah was the leading and Messianic tribe, but needed God’s help.
v 8-11. Levi had impartial spiritual leadership and had to put that ahead of family (As Christ did). They will eventually receive blessing and their enemies destroyed.
v 12. Benjamin, Jacob’s youngest and beloved son stood by Judah producing King Saul and Apostle Paul. The temple is practically on shoulders of Benjamin.
v 13-17. Joseph is promised material blessing and military success through:
v 17. Ephraim’s ten thousands (Youngest was placed before the firstborn)
v 17. Manasseh’s thousands.
v 18,19. Zebulun’s Haifa became a great Mediterranean harbor in 1934.
v 18,19. Issachar’s treasures in the sand refer to the great oil pipeline laid 1935.
v 20,21. Gad settled good land east of Jordan, but fought valiantly against the Canaanites and is blessed for doing the Lord’s will.
v 22. Dan, power of young lion, but as a sly serpent captured Laish Jud. 18:27.
v 23. Naphtali’s swamps near Sea of Galilee were drained 1940, now colonized.
v 24.25 Asher’s foot shape crossed by great oil pipeline, 1935, taking oil to Haifa. Brass and iron strength encourages us, “As thy days so shall thy strength be”.
v 26-29. Simeon is not mentioned in the above blessings and was eventually assimilated by the other tribes, Josh. 19:1-9. Gen. 49:7, Levi and Simeon were to be scattered. Levi in 48 cities, Simeon became grossly immoral, Num. 25 & many died.
The blessings for all of Israel could have been theirs through obedience, but they will be in the future when they turn to the Lord. Verse 27a is a constant blessing to us.
Deuteronomy 34
v 1-4. I visualize Moses looking over the area about noon when there were no shadows, the Lord making it a specially clear day, perhaps even using that rare phenomenon where you can actually see beyond the horizon. I believe the Lord was giving him a special treat, even while He was telling him he couldn’t go there.
v 5-8. If Moses’ grave was know, their would be a monument there being worshiped just as the golden serpent was, and many places visited by Christ are. He still had the vision and strength of a young man. They mourned the customary 30 days.
v 9. Joshua had been properly installed and was accepted by the people.
v 10-12. Moses is not boasting but stating fact. Some think Moses could not have written the parts that happened after his death, but he had prophesied many things which came to pass, so it is only logical that he was inspired to write this.
Summary Deuteronoomy 20-34
20 new wife, home no war 1 year
21 Wash hands if body betweeen cities
22 Return lost goods No cross dressing
Rebellious son or adulterers stoned. Raped live. Don’t leave body hang over night
23,24 No usury or slaves of Brethren
25 Honest weight, measure. Kill all Amalek
26 Bring all first fruits. Give God priority
27 Curses, Mt Gerazim, Amens Mt Ebal
28 Many blessings if obey, curses if don’t
29 Covenant is all above, so obey it
30 Promise of restoration v15 choose life
31 At 120 Moses blesses Be strong 3, 36
Put book of Law beside Ark and read every seven years at Feast pf Tabermacles
Sad the people will do wrong so song
32 The song.
33,34 Moses blesses each tribes. Saw land from Mt Pisgah
Last of 34,his death and burial in Moab valley
Author Clarence Stulcup and Author & Editor Richard L. Brown
FOOT NOTE: by Richard L. Brown
I have read and compared numerous translations and commentaries in my many years of studying the bible. Some of these authorities disagree with each other. I come across information on studies and classes that I have taken 15 to 20 years before and there is no documentation of where it came from. Plus I have given or returned many books for college classes that I have taken. So if I have failed to give someone the credit that is due them I ask for their forgiveness. The following is a list of translations and commentaries that I have used. THE LAYMAN’S PARALLEL NEW TESTAMENT by Zondervan Bible Publishers; THE COMPLETE BOOK OF BIBLE KNOWLEDGE by Mark D. Taylor; LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE; NELSON’S STUDENT BIBLE by Thomas Nelson Publishers; THE WAY CATHOLIC LIVING BIBLE by Tyndale House Publishers; THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE by the Zondervan Corporation; FAST FACTS ON FALSE TEACHINGS by Ron Carlson and Ed Decker; THE HOME BIBLE STUDY COURSE by Dr. Harold L. Wilmington; THE LAYMAN’S BIBLE DICTIONARY by George W. Knight and Rayburn W. Ray; NEW LIVING TRANSLATION by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc; LIFE APPLICATION NEW TESTAMENT COMMENTARY by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc; THE OCEAN Computer Program; CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH by Libreria Editrice Vaticana; CATHOLIC FOR DUMMIES ; THE KING JAMES BIBLE COMPANION by David W. Daniels;THE NEW STRONG’S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE by James Strong LL. D S.T.D.; NAVE’S TOPICAL BIBLE By Orville J. Nave; CHRISTIANITY CULTS & RELIGIONS by Rose Publishing; WOMAN OF FAITH STUDY BIBLE; THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE by World Catholic Press; VINE’S EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT WORDS By W. E. Vine; CHRIST AMONG US By Anthony Wilhelm; THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE Saint Joseph Edition; ILLUSTRATED DICTIONARY OF THE BIBLE BY Herbert Lockyer, Sr ; REFLECTIN GOD STUDY BIBLE By Zondervan Corporation; WILLMINGTON’S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE by Dr. H.L. Willmington, GOOD NEWS BIBLE by Thomas Nelson Publishers, THE KING JAMES SUTDY BIBLE by Thomas Nelson Publishers, NIV SENIORS DEVOTIONAL BIBLE by Zondervan Publishing House, THE MESSAGE BIBLE by Eugone H. Peterson, LORD PLEASE MEET ME IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM by Barbara Curtis, HOW TO GET INTO THE BIBLE by Stephen M. Miller, LAUGHTER FROM HEAVEN by Barbara Johnson, SIX HOURS ONE FRIDEAY by Max Lacado, HOLY BIBLE CONDORDANCE by Scorield Reference Edition Oxford, THE DAY CHRIST DIED by Jim Bishop, THE CASE FOR CHRIST by Lee Strobel, SEVEN KEYS TO FAMILY POWER by Billy Joe Daugherty, OUR ETERNAL HOME by richard W. Dehaan, THE BOOK OF HOPE by Tyndale House Publishiers, Inc, THE BIBLE PROMISE BOOK by Babbour Publishing Inc, THE BORN AGIAN CATHOLIC by Albert H. Boudreau, YESTERDAY TODAY AND FOREVER by New Leaf Press, CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE CHISTIAN SOUP by Health Communication Inc, READER'S DIGEST JESUS AND HIS TIMES by the Readers Digest Association Inc, GREIVING THE DEATH OF A MOTHER by Harold Ivan Smith, FAITH CAN CHANGE YOUR WORLD by Dr. Lester Sumrall, THE BATTLE BELONGS TOT THE LORD by Jocyce Meyer, THE VERY FIRST ESTER by Paul L. Maier, THE GREAT BIBLE QUESTION AND ANWERS BOOK by Playmore Inc Publishers and Waldman Pubisher and Publisher Corp, and my early teens Sunday School Teacher Clarence Stulcup, and the last one that changes most all my writitngs is MICROSOFT OFFICE WORD SPELLING AND GRAMMER THESAURUS PROGRAM.
copyright © 2012 Christ Is Alive Ministry
www.christisalive.net
All Rights Reserved.
In the early 90's I started studing the bible by taking colleger courses, because I believe the Lord wanted me to become a pastor in a Nazarne Church. My goal has changed with all my studies. I have read and compared numerous translations and commentaries in my many years of studying the bible. Some of these authorities disagree with each other. I come across information on studies and classes that I have taken 15 to 20 years before and I have no documentation of where it came from. Plus I have given away or returned many books for college classes that I have taken. So if I have failed to give someone the credit that is due them I ask for their forgiveness. The following is a list of translations and commentaries that I still have and use.
ANSWERS To 200 of Life's Most Probing Questions by Pat Robertson
BEGINNING APOLOGETIC’S 3 by Father Frank Chacon and Jim Burnham
BEGINNING APOLOGETICS: HOW TO EXPLAIN AND DEFEND THE CATHOLIC FAITH by San Juan Catholic Seminars
BIBLE PROPHECY HANDBOOKS by Carol Smith
CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH by Libreria Editrice Vaticana;
CATHOLIC AND CHRISTIAN BY Alan Schreck
CATHOLIC CHRISTIANITY INTRODUCTION TO THE SACRAMENTS by Catholic Worship
CATHOLIC CHRISTIANITY MARY BY Catholic Worship
CATHOLIC CHRISTIANITY PENANCE by Catholic worship
CATHOLIC CHRISTIANITY PRAYER by Catholic worship
CATHOLIC CHRISTIANITY THE EUCHARIST by Catholic Worship
CATHOLIC FOR DUMMIES by Rev John Trigilio JR, PH D, TH D, and Rev Kenneth Brighenti, PH D
CELEBRATING THE MASS by Alfred McBride O Praem
CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE CHISTIAN SOUP by Health Communication Inc,
CHRIST AMONG US By Anthony Wilhelm
CHRISTIAN CULTS AND RELIGION 7TH EDITIONS by Rose Publishing
CHRISTIANITY CULTS & RELIGIONS by Rose Publishing;
DENOMINATIONS by Rose Publisher
DEPARTED GODS-THE GOD’S OF OUR FATHERS by Rev B.N. Fradenburgh Ph D.D.D.
ESSENTIAL DOCTRINE MADE EASY by DR. Norman L. Geisler
FAITH CAN CHANGE YOUR WORLD by Dr. Lester Sumrall,
FAST FACTS ON FALSE TEACHINGS by Ron Carlson and Ed Decker;
FIFTY PROOFS FOR THE BIBLE by Rose Publisher
GOD’S WORD by World Wide Leadership Council Inc
GOOD NEWS BIBLE by Thomas Nelson Publishers,
GREIVING THE DEATH OF A MOTHER by Harold Ivan Smith,
HALLEY’S BIBLE HANDBOOK by Henry H. Halley
HANDBOOK FOR TODAY’S CATHOLIC by Framcos Cardoma; Geprge
HOLY BIBLE by Tayndale House Publishers Inc
HOLY BIBLE CONDORDANCE by Scorield Reference Edition Oxford,
HOW TO GET INTO THE BIBLE by Stephen M. Miller
HOW TO GET INTO THE BIBLE by Stephen M. Miller,
ILLUSTRATED DICTIONARY OF THE BIBLE BY Herbert Lockyer, Sr ;
LAUGHTER FROM HEAVEN by Barbara Johnson,
LAYMAN’S BIBLE DICTIONARY Edited by George W. Knight and Rayburn W. Ray
LIFE APPLICATION NEW TESTAMENT COMMENTARY by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc;
LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE; NELSON’S STUDENT BIBLE by Thomas Nelson Publishers;
LORD PLEASE MEET ME IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM by Barbara Curtis,
LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM WITH EXPLANTIONS by Concord Publishing House
NAVE’S TOPICAL BIBLE By Orville J. Nave
NEW LIVING TRANSLATION by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc;
NIV SENIORS DEVOTIONAL BIBLE by Zondervan Publishing House,
OCEAN: Search Computer program by Chad @ bahai-eduction.org
- Apocrypha
- Confessions of St Augustine
- Divine Comedy of Dante (Henery Carytr)
- King James Bible
- LDS (Mormons)
- Martin Luther
- St John of the Cross
- Budhist
- Christian-King James
- Hindu
- Islam
- Judaism
- Sikh
- Tao
- Zoroastrian
OUR ETERNAL HOME by Richard W. Dehaan,
PROPHECY STUDY BIBLE by Tim Lahaye
READER'S DIGEST JESUS AND HIS TIMES by the Readers Digest Association Inc,
REFLECTING GOD STUDY BIBLE By Zondervan Corporation;
SAINT JOSEPH EDITION OF THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE by Catholic Book Publishing Co.
SEVEN KEYS TO FAMILY POWER by Billy Joe Daugherty,
SIX HOURS ONE FRIDAY by Max Lacado,
THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE by the Zondervan Corporation;
THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD by Jocyce Meyer,
THE BIBLE PROMISE BOOK by Babbour Publishing Inc,
THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER by Charles Mortimer Guilbert
THE BOOK OF HOPE by Tyndale House Publishiers, Inc,
THE BORN AGAIN CATHOLIC by Albert H. Boudreau,
THE CASE FOR CHRIST by Lee Strobel,
THE CATHOLIC ANSWER BOOK by Peter MJ Stravinsiasi
THE COMPLETE BOOK OF BIBLE KNOWLEDGE by Mark D. Taylor;
THE DAY CHRIST DIED by Jim Bishop,
THE GREAT BIBLE QUESTION AND ANWERS BOOK by Playmore Inc
THE HOME BIBLE STUDY COURSE by Dr. Harold L. Wilmington;
THE KING JAMES BIBLE ARCHAIE WORDS DEFIND by David W. Daniel
THE KING JAMES BIBLE COMPANION by David W. Daniels;
THE KING JAMES STUDY BIBLE by Thomas Nelson Publishers,
THE LAYMAN’S BIBLE DICTIONARY by George W. Knight and Rayburn W. Ray;
THE LAYMAN’S PARALLEL NEW TESTAMENT by Zondervan Bible Publisher
THE LAYMAN'S LIST by Calance Stucup
THE MESSAGE BIBLE by Eugone H. Peterson,
THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE by World Catholic Press;
THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE Saint Joseph Edition;
THE NEW STRONG’S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE by James Strong LL. D S.T.D.;
THE RISKS AND REWARDS OF INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE by Cardinal Francis Arinze
THE TRINITY by Rose Publish
THE VERY FIRST ESTER by Paul L. Maier,
THE WAY CATHOLIC LIVING BIBLE by Tyndale House Publishers;
UNCHRISTIAN by David Kennan and Gabe Lyon
UNDERSTANDING GOD’S LOVE by Ronald Greib
VINE’S EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT WORDS By W. E. Vine;
WHAT’S SO SECRET ABOUT THE RAPTURRE? By Christian Record Services, INC
WHEN GOD WINKS AT YOU by Tomas Nelson
WILLMINGTON’S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE by Dr. H.L. Willmington,
WOMAN OF FAITH STUDY BIBLE by Zschech/Heillsong
YESTERDAY TODAY AND FOREVER by New Leaf Press
YOU WERE BORN FOR THIS by Anthony Wilhen