Today’s passage: Deuteronomy 30

Helpful thoughts:

• The eternally omniscient God knew Israel would experience blessing and curse (They would rebel against Him).  He also foretold their repentance, restoration, future obedience and blessing.
  • The obedience of any people, or any person, requires the grace of God (verse 6).
• The idea of the “circumcision of the heart” (God graciously changing His people’s hearts, is referenced again in Jeremiah 31:33, Ezekiel 36:26-27, Romans 2:25-29 and Colossians 2:11.
• God revealed His Word to His people and by grace through faith, they were enabled to follow the Lord (Romans 10:6-8).  To choose God is to choose life.  To choose God is to love God.

Questions to consider:

1. How far into the future would the original audience of this passage of Scripture have naturally been thinking?  How far into the future do we see examples of God doing these things throughout the rest of Scripture?  In what way could this chapter yet be fulfilled in the future?
2. In what way is our obedience directly related to God’s free gift of grace, resulting in a change of heart?  How does this relate to the gospel and our salvation?

Today’s passage: Deuteronomy 29

Helpful thoughts:

• The covenant is reviewed with the generation of Israel that would enter the promised land.
  • All but Moses, Joshua and Caleb had been born since the exodus from Egypt.  However, Moses speaks to them as their national identity.  Israel had seen the Lord’s mighty hand free them from Egypt and Israel was about to renew her covenant and enter into the Promised Land.
• Israel would never be defeated because other gods were more powerful.  Israel would never be defeated because other armies had more men and greater strength.  Israel would only ever be fully defeated because they abandoned their covenant with the Lord.
• Verse 29 carries a significant message.  There are things we do not know about God.  There were certainly things Israel did not know that have been revealed to us through Christ and the New Covenant (e.g. Ephesians 3:4-6)!  But, what God had revealed to Israel was sufficient for what they were called to do.  They had everything they needed to know to trust and obey.

Questions to consider:

1. How does it make sense for Moses to review the covenant with all these people who were not present at the time the covenant was first implemented?  How does it also make sense to include all these people with those who had gone before them?  In our modern western mindset, how might we miss the aspect of identifying together with community that is assumed in many places throughout scripture?
2. With whom are you identified as a follower of Christ, set apart from the rest of the world?  Who are our people?  How does the local church provide this identity?
3. If the Word of God is sufficient to teach us all we need to know for salvation, sanctification, life and godliness, then how should we approach the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:3-4)?  How should it inform our thinking and living?  How should we measure and evaluate other forms of “revelation” people desire or promote?

Today’s passage: Deuteronomy 28

Helpful thoughts:

• The theme of blessings and curses on Israel as they do or do not follow the law continues.  The blessings are wonderful and the curses are utterly grim.
• These curses are a reversal of all that God had committed to Israel in their covenant with Him.
• The northern kingdom of Israel would fall to Assyria in 2 Kings 17 and the kingdom of Judah would fall to Babylon in 2 Kings 25.  Even what seems like the worst of these curses happened in the history of Israel (2 Kings 6:24-31).

Questions to consider:

1. As overwhelming and terrifying as much of this chapter might be, what is abundantly clear about what Israel needed to do as a people?  Whether all of them liked it or not, who were they to follow?  Who alone was worthy of their worship?
2. From our finite perspective, this chapter may come across as a threat (Obey God, or else!).  Knowing that other nations around the world have suffered in the same ways, what is the true motive of this message?  How is God revealing truth in love to His covenant people in these blessings and curses?
3. What is the “blessings and curses” message of the gospel of Jesus Christ?  What is already true of every person in their sin?  What must a person do to be saved (Acts 16:30-31)?  What are the blessings of salvation in Christ?

Today’s passage: Deuteronomy 27

Helpful thoughts:

• Having articulated what was needed from the law, Moses gave instructions for how Israel was to affirm their commitment to the covenant once they entered the land.
  • A monument was to be set up which contained the writing of the law in a way that was easy to read.
  • An altar was to be built on which the people could offer sacrifices.
  • An event was to take place in which the people confirmed Israel’s intention to keep the law.
• Mount Ebal and Mount Gerazim are on the northern and southern sides of the city of Shechem.
• The invoking of cursings was beyond a means of accountability.  This was not Israel agreeing to hold one another accountable to the covenant.  They were inviting God’s judgment on their secret sins for the sake of the purity of the nation.

Questions to consider:

1. Why would it be so important to list off sins that no one else could find out about?  What kinds of sins can we be most prone to fear committing?  Why?
2. Why is being a Christian so much more than keeping up appearances in front of other people?  Who is it you are truly seeking to please and glorify?  How would your life, fears, and actions evidence this?
3. Is there a sin which you have committed for which Christ did not die?  What does God’s omniscience (Knowing all things eternally) guarantee concerning the sufficiency of Christ’s suffering at the cross for our sin (John 19:30)?

Today’s passage: Deuteronomy 26

Helpful thoughts:

• Today’s chapter is the last in the book of Deuteronomy that gives specific laws for Israel to follow.
• The final command given encapsulates the big picture of God’s redemption of Israel and His continued care and provision for the people, the offering of first fruits and tithes.
• The covenant between God and Israel included their loyalty and obedience to Him and His care for, protection and provision for them.  These truths were to be recounted by the people for their remembrance and worship.

Questions to consider:

1. What does it mean that Israel was to keep these commands with all their heart and all their soul (Verse 16)?  What does God desire (and what does He know we need) beyond simple rote obedience?
2. What are God’s people to Him (Verse 18)?  What does it matter for you to know that as a child of God, as a member of His family and kingdom, you are a treasured possession of Almighty God?
3. It would seem that the final phrase, “you shall be a people holy to the Lord” (Verse 19) should be a command, but it’s given as a promise!  What promise was God making there to Israel?  How is that promise true for the church today (and in the future)?  What is your identity and purpose in this world?

Today’s passage: Deuteronomy 25

Helpful thoughts:

• Today’s chapter covers a number of potential injustices.  God is just.
• The Apostle Paul referenced verse 4 in 1 Corinthians 9:9 and 1 Timothy 5:18.  Both references are applied to the appropriateness of paying men who labor in the church in teaching and preaching.
  • This doesn’t mean Moses was not referring to animals in Deuteronomy 25:4.  It just means the principle of not withholding reward for work done covers a number of different situations.
• What is depicted in verses 5-10 is called “Levirate Marriage.”  This name comes from the Latin word for brother-in-law, “levir.”
  • This law is referred to and applied in part in Ruth 4:1-12.
  • Though there are consequences for a brother-in-law not taking the widow to be his wife, this law does not force any man to follow through with it.  It appears this law gave the man and the woman a way out if the consequences were preferable to the prospect of entering into marriage with the other person.

Questions to consider:

1. When would the Levirate marriages have been beneficial and seem necessary?  When would they have been problematic?  Why does it make sense that this law would not be absolute?
2. What is the immediate application of verse 4?  When would it most often be applied?  What principle is being taught in verse 4?  In what other areas of life could it be applied to promote fairness and to reward those who are laboring?
3. What would the law of verses 1-3 prevent a governing authority from doing?  How does God (as our rightful judge) show justice?  How was His justice fulfilled for our sin if we aren’t going to pay for it ourselves (Romans 3:21-26)?

Today’s passage: Deuteronomy 24

Helpful thoughts:

• The law concerning divorce and remarriage was written to protect women from being used by a man to obtain a greater dowry.
  • If a man received a dowry through marrying a woman, then divorced her and she remarried, her second husband could have received a second dowry.  If the first husband sought to marry her again, he could only be seeking that second dowry in addition to the first.
  • When man is looking for how “far he can go” or “how much he can get away with” without violating rules, God’s law will not be read or interpreted correctly.  God gives His people laws for their well-being, to protect the vulnerable, for the life and health of His people.
  • Jesus spoke to the interpretations of this law and what God’s true plan for marriage is (Matthew 5:31-32, Matthew 9:7-8).
• As you read through this chapter, you will find many laws that were written to protect the vulnerable.  For example:
  • The husband was to spend a year with his wife before going to war so that they could have a child.  The birth of a child would ensure the woman had someone to help her in her old age.
  • The mill and millstone were used for food preparation.  If the poor lost their means of preparing food, they would go hungry.
  • The cloak was used as a blanket in the colder nights for sleeping.  They were to be returned to their owners.
  • Wages were to be paid on time so that those who lived day by day (paycheck to paycheck) would have what they needed.

Questions to consider:

1. What is God’s heart for the poor?  How do we maintain a balanced view of our care for the poor with what is commanded in 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12?  If a person is poor because he/she is able but not willing to work, what would be the more loving thing to do?
2. If a person is poor because of other factors outside of their control, how can a heart of compassion and generosity be shown in a fruitful way?
3. Why does mankind typically look at laws to see what we can do for ourselves as opposed to seeing what we can do for others?  How does God’s love for us through the gospel help us have eyes to see laws or rules differently?

Today’s passage: Deuteronomy 23

Helpful thoughts:

• The Lord had set Israel apart unto Himself and gave them a relationship with Him.  They were to have no other gods.  Some of the laws in today’s chapter pertain to this command and heart of God for the well-being of His people.
  • Verse 1 would prevent Israelites from assimilating pagan practices (e.g. temple eunuchs) into their worship of God.
  • The use of “dog” in verse 18 could represent male temple prostitutes.  That would make sense in the context.
  • The “cleanness” of the camp on military campaigns was just as necessary as any other time because God was their champion and would be in their midst.
• People who were not of the physical lineage of Israel could become part of God’s people.  Abraham’s descendants are those who share his faith (Romans 4:16-18, Romans 9:6-7, Galatians 3:7-9).  This idea of the inclusion of the Gentiles was not entirely new when the church began, it simply flourished (by the grace of God) when the church began.
• The laws toward the end of the chapter can fall into the category of the general command, “You shall not steal.”

Questions to consider:

1. In what ways can we see how God is setting out to protect His people in these laws?  What would keeping them do for the benefit of Israel?
2. In what ways do we see the destructive nature of the paganism of the surrounding peoples?  Why does it make sense that the practices of so many false religions bring death and destruction, but following the Lord brings life?
3. Who is welcomed to enter the “assembly of the Lord?”  Based on whose righteousness are we welcomed?

Today’s passage: Deuteronomy 22

Helpful thoughts:

• Verses 1-12 contain laws in which most refer to the command to love your neighbor as yourself and reminded Israel that they were a people distinct and separate from the rest of the world.
• Laws are also given concerning sexual morality.  In these laws, God further defines marriage as a life-long covenant relationship between one man and one woman.
• Many of these laws are also written to protect women in a time where little regard was had for them.

Questions to consider:

1. Which laws stuck out to you?  Which of them are particularly interesting given the characteristics of our culture today?
2. What do we see God values pertaining to manhood and womanhood?  To sexual purity?  To the value of the covenant of marriage?
3. How can the principles of all these laws help us to better love our neighbor as ourselves?  How can we see in these laws further evidence that sin comes from selfish desires and righteousness out of love for God and others?  What is our hope in finding forgiveness from our sin and then growing in righteousness through Christ?

Today’s passage: Deuteronomy 21

Helpful thoughts:

• At first glance, it seems as though the laws written in this chapter are miscellaneous.  However, there is a pattern.  In this chapter there is a shift from laws that refer to the commandments, “You shall not murder” to “You shall not commit adultery.”
  • These various laws discuss what should be done in situations where the greater (big picture) commandments are not kept.
• These subsequent laws give evidence that there are always consequences to sin.  When people choose not to follow the law, they (and others whom the sinner may never have considered in their actions) always have further consequences.  People can choose to sin, but they cannot choose the consequences.
• All this helps us to better understand these laws.  In these laws, God is not condoning actions. He is protecting others who are negatively impacted by the actions of others.

Questions to consider:

1. In what ways could we see these laws protecting those who would be viewed as the victims in the actions portrayed?
2. In what ways would these actions be seen as ridiculous in our culture today, but seem to have been more commonplace at the time?  What actions do we see around us often today which people from back then would think we are crazy to be doing now?
3. In what ways do we see the mercy of God on display through these laws, as unusual as they seem?  Who is God protecting?  To whom does He continue to be a shield?  How is His justice shown?