Deuteronomy

The Book of Deuteronomy (from Ancient Greek: Δευτερονόμιον, Deuteronómion, “second law”; Hebrew: דְּבָרִים‎, Devārīm, “[spoken] words”) is the fifth book of the Torah (a section of the Hebrew Bible) and the Christian Old Testament, this book contains thirty-four chapters.

This book recounts the entire journey from Egypt to Moses’ death.  At the point Moses is writing this, the entire first generation of Jews had perished, either to natural causes or by their transgressions, except Joshua and Caleb.

Before this new generation enters into the Promise Land, Moses delivers a series of sermons recanting everything God had given them.  The land given to them by God, the book of Exodus.  The, now termed, The Mosaic Law, the book of Leviticus, and then the land God had given to his children and how God advices Moses to divide the land by Tribe, the book of Numbers.

Is God repeating Himself?  No!  The new generation of the children of Israel needed to know the history of the eighty-years.  They needed to understand God’s laws and boundaries.

As I write this commentary and I hear from my God, He refers me to His previous books.  The initial books are very detailed and explicitly dictated by God to Moses and it is key to remember these details as Moses delivers his historic sermons.

The book consists of three sermons or speeches delivered to the Israelites by Moses on the plains of Moab, shortly before they enter the Promised Land. The first sermon, chapters 1 – 4, recounts the forty years of wilderness.The wanderings, which have led to this moment, and ends with an exhortation to observe the law (or teachings). Later referred to as the Law of Moses; the second, chapters 5 – 26,reminds the Israelites of the need for monotheism (the doctrine or belief that there is only one God) and observance of the laws (or teachings) he has given them. Which their possession of the land depends.  The third, chapters 27 – 30,offers the comfort, that even should Israel prove unfaithful and so lose the land, with repentance, all can be restored.

Chapters 32 – 34 are considered, by most scholars, to be called the three appendices.  The first one is the song of Moses that God commanded him to write.  The second is the blessings Moses gives to the tribes, and the third is the story of his death.

Deuteronomy 1:

1.1          Sermon One – The wilderness journey (Chapters 1 – 4)

^{5 – 9} Moses reminded them of the law that God had gave to them to go and leave where they were and to cross over and enter into the land of Canaan.

Modern day Canaan

^{9 – 15} As Moses was preparing the children of Israel to enter into the land, he reminded them that he alone was not capable of addressing all of their needs.  God had promised to bless the children by hundreds and thousands more numerous than the sands of the sea.  Moses had instructed the tribes to pick leaders earlier and he anointed them before God to prepare them for their journey’s ahead.

^{16 – 18} Moses again, in preparing them for entry into Canaan, reminded them that he appointed judges for them among the leaders.

Deuteronomy 2: ^{1 – 7} Continuing his preparing the children of Israel for Canaan, Moses is preaching to the children to remember.  To remember how the Lord was with them these last forty years and told them about their father’s journeys as they were about to come into Mount Seir, just south of Kadesh, the land that God had given to Esau.  God’s promise was to Esau so they were only to pass through and buy what they needed.  Remember, all of the children of Israel that were present, except Joshua and Caleb, were not there during the first forty years.  Moses’ teaching to them was what transpired during the initial forty years and that they had never lacked anything.

^{8 – 12} Moses continues preaching to the children about all of the territories their fathers and they had travelled. The ones they conquered and the ones that were previously promised their ancestors.  In this case, it was while travelling through the wilderness of Moab.  This land was given to the descendants of Lot.

^{13 – 15} This was one of the toughest parts of his first sermon.  He was telling the current children of the trespasses of their fathers.  From their travels from Kadesh Barnea to the Valley of the Zered, thirty-eight years had passed.  It was during this time that God had consumed the previous generation for their transgressions and fearfulness of entry into Canaan.

^{16 – 19} As Moses was delivering this initial sermon, and going through systematic travels of the previous generation and current generations journeys, he was teaching them that God constantly provided for them.  Whether it was land for taking or food and drink.   As they travelled through the wilderness, the previous generation constantly complained about their supposedly lack of provisions.  As they travelled, if they encountered enemies, they would prevail when they were directed by God.  While they travelled, Moses also was teaching the children of God’s promises and faithfulness.  If they encountered land that was previously given to one of their descendants, God would not allow them to take it but go through and purchase what they needed.  They were now entering the territory of Ammon.  This land was given to Lot and his descendants.

^{20 – 23} Not only was Moses teaching them of the wilderness journey but he was also teaching them of how God had prevailed in past generations to their ancestors.  This was also a history lesson for them.  Teaching them of the fall of Adam and Eve.  How the land after the fall had fallen into the devil’s pit.  The land of the sons of god yielded giants and pure corruption and, through Noah, God had destroyed them in preparation of God’s plan for the children.

^{24 – 25} When they travelled and came upon enemies, God’s promise was for them to overtake them and prevail.  When entered into the land of Heshbon (I 12 on the wilderness map), the Lord spoke to Moses and told him not to fear but to go to battle and take the land.

^{26 – 37} As part of Moses’ sermon and teaching them of their history, Moses told the children how God would give opportunity to some of the opposition to give, receive, and grant access to whatever was needed.  Pharaoh was a good example.  God told Moses to go to Pharaoh with requests but God would harden his heart and Moses would prevail.  As they were approaching the land of Heshbon, God had told Moses to go to the King and request passage.  They would just pass through.  God had hardened the King’s heart, due to this a battle ensured, and the children of Israel had plundered all of the land and surrounding areas except that of Ammon.

Deuteronomy 3: ^{1 – 7} Moses continues his sermon by telling this generation of people about their journeys to Bashan, and how God had given them favor to succeed.  The original journey is journaled in Numbers 21.

^{8 – 12} Moses tells the children the wonders of God.  They overtook the giants of the land.  The

Only remaining of the giants was King Og of Bashan.  According to God’s Word, King Og was rested in a bed that was thirteen and a half feet long by six feet wide.

^{13 – 20} Moses was telling the current people of their inheritance that God had provided for the families of Reuben and Manasseh.  These two tribes had numerous amounts of livestock and had requested from Moses to keep the land they had on the west side of the Jordan.  Moses told them that in order to keep that land, they must join the other tribes on the east side of the Jordan as they conquered the land.

^{21 – 22} His sermon continued by telling them how the Lord had given his blessing to Joshua and how God would continue to prevail with him.

^{23 – 29} One of the saddest parts of this sermon was when Moses had to tell the current generation of people of the act that he had done in his anger against their ancestors.  Due to his anger, he had dishonored God by smiting the rock instead of talking to it.  Moses told them how he pleaded with God to allow him to see the Promise Land but God denied him.  He was allowed to go to the top of Pisgah and see what the Lord had for His people but they stayed in the Valley just opposite of Beth Peor (H – 11 on the wilderness map).  You can see just how close they were to the Jordan (G – 6 – 12).

Deuteronomy 4: ^{1 – 6} Moses starts this chapter to “listen and observe” the statutes and judgements.  He tells them explicitly to never add or take away and of the words which he commands them concerning the commandments of the Lord.

There are today two different versions of the Ten Commandments.

In preparing them for their journey in the Promise Land, Moses reminds them of God’s loyalty.  God delivered their ancestors from the hands of the evil.   God would continue if they stayed loyal to Him.

^{7 – 10} Moses told them that God purposely had him tell the current generation of what God had done and had promised.  It is the responsibility of them to make sure that His commandments are adhered to and passed down to further generations by teaching them to fear God.

^{11 – 14} Remember when God came to you in a midst of fire and proclaimed His ten commandments.  God had commanded Moses to teach them these laws and remember them when they journey into the land that God had promised them. 

^{15 – 40} This part of the sermon was to tell the current generation of the evil idolatry of their ancestors.  When Moses met with God on Mount Horeb for forty-days, upon his return, all of the people, under the watch of Aaron, were worshipping idols.  They had carved images for worship.  The Great I am is the only true God.  When God says He is a jealous God, He is saying that He will not tolerate anyone ignoring His Supreme Being and only He is to be hallowed.   The punishment for following the devil’s way is pure condemnation.  He told them to teach their children and their children’s children of the Lord God.

^{41 – 43} Moses told them that God had set apart in the land of Bezer, by Heshbon, where the tribes of both Gad and Manasseh had settled, also as a place of refuge for the person of unintentional murder.

^{44 – 49} This is an introduction to the second sermon that Moses was about to give.  Moses was set to teach this generation of God’s testimonies, statutes, and judgements pertaining to God’s laws.

1.2         Sermon Two – One God and the laws (chapters 5 – 26)

Deuteronomy 5: Moses starts this sermon by teaching this generation of the Ten Commandments, Exodus 20.  As taken from the Wycliffe bible.

1. ⁷ Thou schalt not haue alien Goddis in my siyt.
2. ^{8 – 10} Thou schalt not make to thee a grauun ymage, nether a licnesse of alle thingis that ben in heuene aboue, and that ben in erthe bynethe, and that lyuen in watris vndur erthe.
3. ¹¹ Thou schalt not mystake the name of thi Lord God in veyn, for he schal not be vnpunyschid, that takith the name of God on a veyn thing.
4. ^{12 – 15} Kepe thou the `day of sabat that thou halewe it, as thi Lord God comaundide to thee.
5. ¹⁶ Onoure thi fadir and thi modir, as thi Lord God comaundide to thee, that thou lyue in long tyme, and that it be wel to thee, in the lond which thi Lord God schal yyue to thee.
6. ¹⁷Thou schalt not SLE.
7. ¹⁸ Thou schalt not do letcherie.
8. ¹⁹ Thou schalt not do thefte.
9. ²⁰ Thou schalt not Speke fals witnessyng ayens thi neiybore.
10. ²¹ Thou schalt not coueite `the wijf of thi neiybore, not hows, not feeld, not seruaunt, not handmayde, not oxe, not asse, and alle thingis that ben hise.

²² These were the words from the Lord that He gave me, written by His finger on two tablets of stone.

^{23 – 27} Moses told them that their ancestors heard the voice of the Lord and made witness to this and that they still lived.

Deuteronomy 6:  ^{1 – 3} Moses was commanded to teach them these commandments before they crossed over the land flowing with milk and honey.

^{4 – 9} The greatest commandment of all is to love your Lord with all that is in you. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.   Moses emphasized that the Lord is one!  There is only one God.  Keep and cherish all of these commandments and teach them continuously day and night, bind them in your heart and write them on your doorposts.

^{10 – 15} Moses warned the children of Israel to avoid the temptations of evil once they get into the Promised Land.  Everything will be given to them.  All that they see was given to them and they themselves did nothing to gain it.  The cities, the water supply, all of the vegetation of the land and livestock.  Do not take all of this for granted but know who brought them out of the land of bondage.  Do not be tempted by the gods of the foreign lands but always fear the Lord your God.  God gave this all to use freely and will take it all away just as easily.

^{16 – 19} As God was preparing them for entry into the Promised Land; He reminded them that this and all of its possessions would come to them bountifully as promised by their fathers.  When they enter in the land, and come about any confrontations, to do not become contemptuous to God as they did in Massah.  Always do well within the sight of your God and your enemies will be cast out.  This is a resounding theme throughout Moses’ teachings, explained in Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust completely in the Lord with all of your heart and do not depend, at all, on your own knowledge and understandings.  By staying close to Him, and acknowledging that in all of the ways brought before you are from Him above, and His everlasting promise is to direct you always in the right direction.”

^{20 – 26} These next couple of scripture verses are profound words of wisdom given from God to Moses.  To always, teach your children concerning the testimonies, the statutes and the judgements from the Lord.  The words, “teach them” could not be emphasized more.  Bind these words in their hearts of the miraculous wonders that their God had done before them in the land of Egypt while they were slaves.  The severe plagues brought against Egypt and Pharaoh.  The teachings should always reflect back to their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the promises God gave to each one of them.  It is well that they understood that God was and is true to His promises in righteous return of obeying His commandments. When we move away from our First Love, the enemy will come in to seek, kill, and destroy.  We know how the scriptures go in First and Second Kings how almost every other generation ‘did evil in sight of the Lord’.  

We know ourselves how easily we are distracted.   They didn’t have all of the social media back then but they did have many more gods that were false.  Men were easily victimized by the harlots of these foreign territories.   Their false gods were brought in as a seduction to them.  Proverbs often mentions to beware of the harlot and their seductions and those actions can easily burn us.  Our God tells us that He is a jealous God.  He demands all of our attention.

[1]The root idea in the Old Testament word jealous is to become intensely red. It seems to refer to the changing color of the face or the rising heat of the emotions, which are associated with intense zeal or fervor over something dear to us. In fact, both the Old and New Testament words for jealousy are also translated “zeal.” Being jealous and being zealous are essentially the same thing in the Bible. God is zealous—eager about protecting what is precious to Him.

One thing He views as especially important to Him in the Old Testament is the nation Israel. She belongs to Him as His special possession, His unique treasure.

Deuteronomy 7: ^{1 – 5} The continuing part of this sermon is a reminder to the children of Israel that the land they are about to possess is very powerful and has conquered many lands, much mightier than them.  However, God will deliver these mighty armies to them in which they should leave nothing behind.  Not to make any covenants with them or show them any mercy.  Do not permit any marriage outside of Israel for no penetration of idol worship shall be tempted towards God’s people.   They were told to destroy all sacred pillars, wooden images and cast them into a fiery pit.

^{6 – 8} Moses reminds them of why God had chosen them over all other nations.   God’s love for His people Abraham, Isaac, and then Jacob.  He has a special love for them as sworn by oath He gave to their fathers and a constant reminder of how God redeemed them from their house of bondage.

[Return]

^{9 – 11} Moses continues with his sermon with therefore.  When the word ‘therefore’ is used to start a passage, it is a reply or answer to the previous text.  Because of God’s faithfulness to His children, His promise is to keep His faithfulness throughout the generations to those who love Him and keep His commandments.  God is an honest and faithful judge.  He honors those who honor Him and will not be slack to those to hate Him.  God made us out of His own image and likeness.   Moses warns the children of this generation to keep His commandments, statutes and all of the judgements or He will destroy those who do not.

^{12 – 15} Blessings of obedience.  In return for your faithfulness to God.  Your continued obedience to His commandments, God will preserve the covenant He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and His mercy.  God’s covenant He swore to your fathers will richly bless the fruitfulness of your hands, your land and your livestock.  God has chosen you above all of the people in the world.  All sicknesses and diseases will be taken from you and laid at any of those that hate your nation.

^{17 – 26} These are more of the promises the Lord your God vowed to your fathers for your continued faithfulness; remember the word, therefore.  Do not fear entering any land for your God will deliver all to you.  Any carved image you obtain in spoil shall be burned.  You shall not keep any silver or gold as spoil.  Do not take any abomination into your houses for temptation.  As we today allow anything into our houses; internet, TV, etc., this opens a crack for the enemy to get in.

Deuteronomy 8: ^{1 – 5} Moses sermons continued with keeping God’s commandments and remembrance of how God stayed with you through the wilderness journey.  Providing the manna, which no one knew of.  Telling his children that man cannot live on bread alone but lives with every precious Word that comes from God.  Remember, none of your garments wore or the shoes on your feet.  By now, you should know that as a father chastens his son, so does your heavenly Father chasten (discipline; punish) you.

^{6 – 20} Moses warns the people of abundant living.  God’s constant provisions for you will yield you much land, food, cities, gold and silver.  When you were lacking, you leaned on God.  Always remember the Lord your God, it is He who gives you power to get wealth.  Do not be fooled to forget your God and fall to other gods.  All of these blessings are based on your obedience to Him.  As some of the powerful nati0ns have fallen before you, so shall you if you do not stay obedient to His Word.

Deuteronomy 9: ^{1 – 5} God is prompting Moses to remind the children of the Most High God of where they are about to enter into and WHY God is giving this land to them.  Moses is teaching this generation of people that not everything about to be given to them is of any of their righteous behavior.  God made a covenant with their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.   God wanted Moses to make it perfectly clear that God was not giving this land to them due to their righteousness. 

God uses the word ‘Stiff-necked’ people to describe the Israelites.  Let’s look at the word stiff-necked and its origin.  Stif’-nekt (qesheh `oreph, literally, “hard of neck”):

As it is figuratively used, both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, the word means “stubborn,” “untractable,” “not to be led.” The derivation of the idea was entirely familiar to the Jews, with whom the ox was the most useful and common of domestic animals. It was especially used for such agricultural purposes as harrowing and plowing.

The plow was usually drawn by two oxen.  As the plowman required but one hand to guide the plow, he carried in the other an “ox-goad.” This was a light pole, shod with an iron spike. With this, he would prick the oxen upon the hind legs to increase their speed, and upon the neck to turn, or to keep a straight course when deviating. If an ox was hard to control or stubborn, it was “hard of neck,” or stiff-necked. Hence, the figure was used in the Scriptures to express the stubborn, untractable spirit of a people not responsive to the guiding of their God; you can also see in the New Testament where sklerotrachelos, is so translated (Acts 7:51), “Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit.”.

Sklerotrachelos – Strong’s Number: 4644.  The Original word is sklhrotravchloß. 

Definition

stiff-necked stubborn, headstrong, obstinate   A quick recap of how they provoked the Lord   7 From the initial day they departed from Egypt they rebelled against God.

^{8 – 21} In Horeb where they created the golden calf after Moses had spent the time with God receiving the Ten Commandments.

^{22 – 29} And when the initial generation was to go into Canaan and spy out the land to prepare for battle and only Joshua and Caleb were resilient and trusted God.  He was going to kill all of you in the wilderness but I, Moses, fell prostrate for forty-days and forty-nights pleading with God of the inheritance promised to their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Deuteronomy 10: Moses’ continuation with his bible lesson, sermon, recanting of the acts of the previous generations. ^{1 – 2} Then the Lord told me to carve two tablets out of wood, just as the first ones, and bring them back up the mountain.  In telling this new generation of Israelites of how he had initially brought back the Ten Commandments and saw all of them worshipping the golden calf, and had destroyed them in his anger.  Moses pleaded with God not to destroy all of the children at that time and to forgive them.

^{3 – 5} So, Moses did as he was instructed and carved out (hewed) the arcadia wood into two tablets and went back up the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments again.  He then immediately put them in the ark.

^{6 – 11} Then they continued their journey through the wilderness where Aaron died and Eleazar took his place.  God then appointed the Levites as the keeper of the Most Holy as their entire inheritance.  When, later, they were going to enter into Canaan, all of the tribes were given their inheritance in the land; none of the land was proportioned out specifically for the Levites, as they were allotted the surrounding areas of the other tribe’s land for refuge and sin offerings.  Moses continually acted as their intercessor.

^{12 – 22} Moses continued with his sermon to teach and express the essence of God’s law.  Remember to worship, honor and obey our one true God with respect and fear.  Fear Him in a respectful way as to where you wouldn’t think twice about worshipping or praying to any other god.  Our God who loves and treats everyone equally.  Always love the stranger, as you were once the strangers in Egypt.  Moses taught them how it all began in Egypt with Joseph and his family of seventy (Genesis 46) to the promise to number the children as in the stars in the heavens.

Deuteronomy 11: The reward for the Love and Obedience to God is recanted.  Speaking of the commandments of God, ¹⁸ “Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  ¹⁹ You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”

^{22 – 25} These verses are very interesting in where the Lord tells the Israelites of the land and protection of the lands, He will give them IF they obey the commandments. 

^{1 – 12} As part of this sermon, Moses is reminding the children of what they are about to possess.  Telling them of the history behind why God did what He did in the land of Egypt and how He promised their fathers land far greater than that of Egypt.   Always keep your eyes focuses on Him.

^{13 – 15} God promises to send plenty of rain for all of their seasons only if they earnestly obey His commandments.  Earnestly comes from the root word shâmà, to hear, listen to, and obey.  The Strong’s definition is to hear intelligently.

^{16 – 17} God now follows up from the previous verses.  “Take heed”.   Take heed, from the root word shâmar.  A very similar root word for earnestly; to keep guard and observe.  The Strong’s definition is a primitive root; properly to hedge about (as with thorns), that is, guard.  Do not turn away to serve other gods and worship them.  God will shut up the heavens so that no rain comes.

^{18 – 25} Moses continues his sermon by telling the children to teach God’s commandments to their children.  Lay these words in your children’s hearts as if a frontlet between your eyes.  In other words, always keep them in view.   Write them down everywhere, on your doorposts and on your gates.  For keeping God’s commandments, will bring God into every situation.  Any land you go into will be yours.  No one will be able to get in your way, but only if you keep true to God’s statutes. 

^{26 – 28} Moses continues his sermon now by setting before them a blessing and a curse.  A blessing if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and but a curse if you turn aside from following His commandments and go after other gods.

Deuteronomy 12: ^{1 – 4} The sermon goes on to tell the children what they are to do when they encounter land where foreign gods are prevalent.   In order to have the offerings of the Most Holy in whatever land they possess, it is important to tear down and destroy all places where those nations served other gods.  Destroy everything, alters, pillars, destroy and burn all graven images.  You are to keep all of the lands in which you possess holy ground to worship only the one true God.

^{5 – 7} Once the land is purified continue with your customary offerings.  Rejoice in the land the Lord has given you.  You shall eat before the Lord, the Lord will rejoice with you, and you shall enjoy all that God has given to you.

^{8 – 9} Moses warns the children that their continued behavior will not be tolerated once they cross over the Jordan and get the remainder of their inheritance.

^{10 – 11} When you cross over the Jordan to the land the Lord has given you and removes any harm from any other persons, it will be there were the Lord will live with you.  There you will continue to offer your sacrifices and offerings, which you have vowed, to the Lord.

^{12 – 14} It is in these lands you will rejoice the day the Lord took you out of Egypt with everyone in your tribe.  Be very mindful of where you do your offerings but only in the places the Lord chooses, within your tribes.

^{15 – 16} You may eat all meats, unclean and clean, to your hearts content.  You shall not eat of the blood; you shall pour it out onto the earth, as you would water.

^{17 – 19} You must not eat the tithes of your grain or new wine or oil, or the firstborn of your heard or any offerings, which you have vowed to the Lord.  You must only eat these in the place the Lord chooses.  Celebrate with your sons, daughters, and all of your servants and don’t forget the Levites that protect you.

^{20 – 28} Moses reiterates the abundance of meat that is permitted to eat, both clean and unclean.  He also reminds them that at no time, is it permitted to eat the blood, the actual life of the animal.  You are to discard it, as you would water to the earth.

²³ “Only be sure that you do not eat the blood, for the blood is the life; you may not eat the life of the meat.”

^{29 – 31} Moses’ imposing sermon warns the children that as God opens the lands for you to dispossess (deprive (someone) of land, property, or other possessions), do not inquire concerning their gods for it is an abomination to the Lord your God.

³² Another warning about removing or adding onto the commands Moses passes on to the children from God.  Do not add, remove or replace any words within these commands.  “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.”

Deuteronomy 13: ^{1 – 4} Moses sermons here continues by warning the children of their faithfulness to the God of their fathers.  There will be false prophets that will try to convince you to go after other gods.  Do not listen to these false prophets as God is testing your faith.  Stay steadfast and walk only after the Lord your God.

⁵ God demands that we put away all evil in our lives.  Temptations come into our lives continually.  Any evil that tempts you to move away from God put to death.  In the name of Jesus, demand that the evil one leaves your midst immediately.  “But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has spoken in order to turn you away from the Lord your God.”  Beware of false prophets.

^{6 – 11} If anyone, no matter who, tries to entice you away from the Lord your God, God’s punishment at that time was to stone them to death.  Always remember what God had done for you.  Freed you from the bondage of Egypt.  Do not be tempted but be strong in your faith.  command us to kill, stone to death, anyone who tries to entice us away from the Lord our God to serve false gods.  

^{12 – 18} Pay attention to the cities in which the Lord gives you to inhabit.  If there are rumors of corrupt men trying to sway you to move to their gods, go, inquire, and seek the truth.  If these are true, take all of the plunder from the city by the edge of the sword, bring it to the middle of the city, burn it all, and do not rebuild.  All of this is accursed.

Deuteronomy 14: ^{1 – 2} Moses continues his sermon by telling them that they are such a treasure to the Lord and a very holy people.  In cases of mourning, do not cut yourselves or shave the front of your head.   

[2]The Heathens, who not only tore their garments, but their flesh in several parts of their bodies, in their mouths, cheeks, breasts; and used other extravagant signs of mourning, which the apostle cautions against, (1 Thessalonians 4:13) and were condemned by the Heathens themselves. Though some think this refers to incisions the Heathens made in their flesh to the honour of their gods, cutting the names of them therein to whom they devoted themselves; or lashing their bodies at the worship of them, as the worshippers of Baal did when they called upon him and so the Jerusalem Targum, “make not marks, marks,”.

Ovoid shaving the forepart of their head or their eyebrows, or both, which used to be done in lamentations for the dead. If this could be thought to have any respect to rites and ceremonies used in the worship of dead and lifeless idols, the customs of the Egyptians might be referred to, who are said to shave their heads and their eyebrows in their sacred rites to Isis.

^{3 – 21} God had clearly defined what creatures, land or sea, were an abomination to Him to be eaten.

Deuteronomy 15:  ^{1 – 6} Seven-year debt release.  The Lord doesn’t want anyone to be in debt to a lender.  At the end of the seventh year, all debts are released, this is the called the Lord’s release.  The Lord promises you to bless you with your increase by these actions.  You shall reign over many nations but no nation shall reign over you.  You shall lend to many nations but borrow none.  “You shall reign over many nations but they shall not reign over you.” 

^{7 – 11} If there is a poor man before you, you shall lend him all he needs.  If you think to yourself about the seven year of release knowing you will not get your return, the Lord will cry out against you.  The Lord will bless your increase for your gestures for the poor will always be among you.  “For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore, I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’”

The law concerning bondservants

^{12 – 15} The number seven in the Bible is represented as completion.  As we read above, after seven years of debt, you were to release your debt.  The same held true to bondservants.  Any bondservant sold to you and they served you six years faithfully, in the seventh year, you were to set them free.  But not just free, but supply him/her with plenty from what you have.  Since God blessed you, you bless them likewise.

^{16 – 17} When the bondservant served you for those six years and built up a love for you and your family, he/she may feel part of your family and may not want to leave.  If your bondservant has this love for you and wishes to stay, drive an awl through his/her ear and place a ring.

¹⁸ If the bondservant does decide to move on, you shall be blessed by how they served you.

^{19 – 23} All firstborn males from your flocks shall be sanctified to the Lord if it is without any blemish.  You shall not sheer it or put it to any work.   The Lord will tell you where to sacrifice the newborn male and then you may eat within the place that He chooses.

Any blemished or unclean firstborn animal from your flock, do not sacrifice to the Lord but you may eat, within your designated area.  No blood shall be eaten but thrown out like water.

Deuteronomy 16:  ^{1 – 17} Moses’ sermon continued with the reminders’ of the Passover, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacle.  These were crucial reminders prior entering into the Promised Land.  God would not accept or protect the Jews unless they followed the ordinances.

The appointment of judges and officers is instructed through Moses to the people here.

^{18 – 20} God commanded Moses to instruct the people to appoint judges and officers at all gates.  These judges were to be upstanding people, not easily bribed and very just.  In no way were they to pervert justice or show any partiality.  Paul talks extensively about not showing partiality in any circumstance.   God is our own true judge and he is a righteous judge.

^{21 – 22} A reminder is established not to plant a tree near and altar as a wooden image.  Any sacred pillar or wooden image is hated by God.  Don’t draw attention away in any manner from our true sacrifice.

Deuteronomy 17: ¹ A reminder that all animal sacrifices to the Lord should be a bull or sheep without any blemish or defect.

^{2 – 7} The law concerning serving other Gods.  If it is observed that anyone is serving other God’s, they are to go in front of the judges and sentences to be stoned.  In these cases, there should be two or more witlessness to justify stoning.  The initial witness should cast the first stone and then the remaining.  These are God’s judgment on people who worship false gods; i.e. moon gods, etc.  The Muslims worship the moon god.  This punishment, according to the Old Testament, is to stone them to death.

We should take these verses to heart today.  We have one true God yet we worship our bodies, Hollywood heroes, athletes, our cars.  We tend to spend more time on these items than spending with our Father in heaven, whom without; we would be damned to eternal damnation.

^{8 – 10} If a matter arises where the judgement is too difficult to come to, you are to go to a place that God chooses and utilize the Levites and priests to pronounce judgement.  Matthew 7:1-3 tells us not to judge each other that only God is to judge.   God is our fair and righteous judge.  We are best off to keep His commandments and let the Son adjudicate for us.

^{11 – 12} Whatever judgement is pronounced upon you, you shall do without question.  If you argue or are defensive, you shall be put to death.

^{8 – 13} God sets the ground rules for sentencing those whose transgressions are too hard to judge by the people.  They then are to go to the priests and the appointed judges and they are to establish the sentence.  If the transgressor(s) do not heed the punishment, they are to be killed.

^{14 – 18} God is setting ground rules for future kings. “Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself.”  I think we can think of many kings who did not follow this commandment.

^{14 – 17} God, knowing how His children are, is expecting the Jews to want to copy that of the foreign lands and want a king to reign.  The king selected will be from God.  The king is to remember from where they came and have no intention of returning.  The king should be humble in his belongings and wants.  The king should not take on multiple wives as this could temp the king towards false gods.

^{18 – 20} The king shall write all of the laws from the priests and Levites.  As he is writing these laws, he shall be reminded of the statutes between God and man.  He shall read the book of laws daily all the days of his life, that he may continue to fear God and prolong his days.

^{19 – 20}       God commands that ALL kings write God’s law down before the priests and be sure to read the commands daily to be sure to stay in God’s law.  Where was the breakdown for David and the other kings?

Deuteronomy 18: ^{1 – 2} As previously stated, the priest and Levites should have no direct inheritance.  They shall eat from the offerings.  The Lord is their inheritance.

^{3 – 5} The priests and Levites are provided with the sacrifices, whether the bull or the sheep.  As part of the offerings come the first fruits of the grain, wine and oil.  God chose these men to minister to the people and in return, they were to be provided with the above.

^{6 – 8} No matter where a Levite comes from, they are to be welcomed and provided for as they are doing God’s will.

⁹ Moses counsels the children to be very careful not to follow the abominations of those lands, they will be tempted.

^{10 – 12} Witchcraft, soothsaying, omens, Sorcerers, anyone who conjures spells or calls spirits from the dead are an abomination to the Lord.  Moses warns the children to stay far away from these.

^{13 – 14} The nations that you will be entering were not following God so they practiced all sorts of abominations.  The Lord shall hold you blameless.

^{15 – 22} Moses, knowing he will not inherit the Promised Land, tells the children that God will raise up a new Prophet in his place.  You are to listen and obey as if it were I.  Beware of false prophets, as they will come.  Nothing the false prophet says in the Lord’s name will happen.   This is how you will know.

“When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. “There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, “or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritists, or one who calls up the dead. “For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord”^[3]

Harsh words from God pertaining to false prophets:  ^{20 “}But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.’ “And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?’— “when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him

Deuteronomy 19: ^{1 – 3} Moses’ sermon continues with when they conquer the land in which the Lord is giving them.  They are to cut out three cities with streets and territories for those who seek refuge.  Keeping in line with maintaining the land as holy to the Lord, separating out those who kill or commit sins.

^{4 – 7} Here, Moses distinguishes between intentional and premeditated murder.  The manslayer who unintentionally kills someone is separated into one of the cities of refuge.

^{8 – 10} Moses goes on to tell them that if they keep the commandments that he has told them and God multiplies their inheritance, they shall open up three additional cities for refuge to accommodate the multitudes.

^{11 – 13} If a manslayer flees to a city of refuge but is found guilty of hatred and premeditated murder, they shall be removed from the city and killed.

¹⁴ [4]Direction is given to fix landmarks in Canaan. It is the will of God that everyone should know his own; and that means should be used to hinder the doing and suffering of wrong. This, without doubt, is a moral precept, and still binding. Let every man be content with his own lot, and be just to his neighbor’s in all things.

^{15 – 21} [5]Sentence should never be passed upon the testimony of one witness alone. A false witness should suffer the same punishment, which he sought to have inflicted upon the person he accused. Nor could any law be more just. Let all Christians not only be cautious in bearing witness in public, but be careful not to join in private slanders; and let all whose consciences accuse them of crime, without delay flee for refuge to the hope set before them in Jesus Christ.

Eye for an eye.  The greater the crime the greater the punishment.

Deuteronomy 20: ^{1 – 4} Moses continues his sermon on impending warfare.  It is without doubt, as they enter into their inherited lands, battles will ensue.  When they see the enemies approaching, the priests shall proclaim God’s assurance of protection to all the children of Israel.

^{5 – 7} Moses tells the men, who are about to enter into battle, though Israel will reign victorious, some will die in battle.  Prior to entering into battle, if any man has any unfinished responsibilities, they were to go back and complete their responsibilities.  Some mentioned are dedicating their houses, drinking from their vineyards, or marrying a betrothed woman.  If not and they do not return from battle, another man may inherit.

^{8 – 9} The officers wanted to weed out those men who were faint at heart, as they would not serve well in battle.  Then from the remaining men, captains shall be appointed.

^{10 – 18} When you go near a place to fight against it make a peace offering.  If they accept the peace offering, you shall accept it and all of the people shall serve you.  If the place refuses the peace offering, then you are to take the city and destroy all except women and children.  You shall take as much of the plunder you want.   Inevitably, the lands will notice that God had favor on the Jews and would make peace.

^{19 – 20} God makes everything for a purpose.  Moses tells the men that while they are killing everything in sight, do not destroy a tree that yields food or would be good for timber for building.

God’s people should not be afraid to go to battle against their enemy.   This chapter from God gives Israel reign over their enemy and guidance to how to handle the men when they surrender or do not surrender.

Deuteronomy 21: Cold case.

^{1 – 9} In today’s times, if a murder is unresolved, it falls into category called a “Cold Case”.  No one is presumed guilty and everyone is held blameless due to the grace of God and our Savior accounting for all of our sins.

⁷ “Then they shall answer and say, ‘Our hands have not shed this blood, nor have our eyes seen it’.  This sounds very familiar. 

 Before our Savior, everyone was considered guilty if no one was an obvious offender.  The elders of the closest city to where the body was found had to bring heifer, which had not been worked at all or pulled with a yoke, and break its neck.  The priests would then provide atonement for the people in the sight of the Lord.

^{10 – 14} You were permitted to take as a wife a woman who is being held captive after a war.  If a man found a female captive beautiful to his likings, he would shave her head and trim her nails.  The clothes she was wearing when in captivity shall be removed and then mourn either her father or mother or both for a full month.  After which, he may take her as his wife.  If after this time, he decided he did not want her as his wife, he would set her free, treat her with respect and not sell her for money.

^{15 – 17} The firstborn son gets the full inheritance in any situation.  If a man has two wives, which both bore him sons, it doesn’t matter which wife he loves more, and the firstborn son regains his rights as the firstborn.

^{18 – 21} [6]Observe how the criminal is here described. He is a stubborn and rebellious son. No child was to fare the worse for weakness of capacity, slowness, or dullness, but for willfulness and obstinacy. Nothing draws men into all manner of wickedness, and hardens them in it more certainly and fatally, than drunkenness. When men take to drinking, they forget the law of honoring parents. His own father and mother must complain of him to the elders of the city. Children, who forget their duty, must thank themselves, and not blame their parents, if they are regarded with less and less affection. He must be publicly stoned to death by the men of his city. Disobedience to a parent’s authority must be very evil, when such a punishment was ordered; nor is it less provoking to God now, though it escapes punishment in this world. However, when young people early become slaves to sensual appetites, the heart soon grows hard, and the conscience callous; and we can expect nothing but rebellion and destruction.

^{22 – 23} If a person is hanged due to their sin, they are to be buried before nightfall as to not to defile the land.

Deuteronomy 22: ^{1 – 4} Common love and respect for your fellow man.  If you find something wondering away from your neighbor or anything loose and your neighbor is not around, keep it for him until he returns.

⁵ “A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God.”  Transvestites are an abomination to the Lord.

^{6 – 12} [7]God’s providence extends itself to the smallest affairs, and his precepts do so, that even in them we may be in the fear of the Lord, as we are under his eye and care. Yet the tendency of these laws, which seem little, is such, that being found among the things of God’s law, they are to be accounted great things. If we would prove ourselves God’s people, we must have respect to his will and to his glory, and not to the vain fashions of the world. Even in putting on our garments, as in eating or in drinking, all must be done with a serious regard to preserve our own and others’ purity in heart and actions. Our eye should be single, our heart simple, and our behavior all of a piece.

^{13 – 19} A man cannot embarrass his wife by detesting her if he believes she was not a virgin prior to him.  If her parents bring proof to the elders, he shall be fined and may not divorce his wife.

^{20 – 30} These are the punishments of either men or women who are found in adultery.  These things are detested by God and they are put to death.  Adulterers today are found guilty in God’s eyes and can only be cleaned through our Savior.

Deuteronomy 23: ¹ Eunuchs were not permitted to enter into the Assembly of God.

² [8]The same privilege was denied to those here termed bastards, under which name the Jews comprehended not only those begotten in simple fornication, but also the offspring of all such incestuous marriages, as are prohibited Leviticus 18. One chief reason of this law, no doubt, was, to deter people from such unlawful connections as would both offend God, and leave an indelible blot upon their posterity.

^{3 – 6} Moses instructed that the Ammonite or Moabite should never enter into the assembly of the Lord.  This is due to when they were wondering through the wilderness and came upon the Moabites and they tempted them with Balaam. 

^{7 – 8} The Edomite and the Egyptian were always welcomed.

^{9 – 11} When your men go out to battle and should become unclean, they are to stay outside of the camp and wash.  He may reenter the camp at sunset.

^{12 – 14} There should be a place for your refuse outside of the camp to keep the camp holy.

^{15 – 16} If a slave were to escape from his master and take refuge with you, you shall not return the slave but permit the slave to stay where he feels save.

^{17 – 18} No harlotry is permitted nor any money received from an act.  Both of these are an abomination to the Lord.

^{19 – 20} Any money lent to a brother shall be without interest.  Only a stranger may be charged interest.

^{21 – 23} Any vow made unto the Lord must be repaid with no delay.  Your words unto the Lord are purely voluntary and stay within you and the Lord.      

^{24 – 25} A lesson and/or law of being a glutton of wants.  If you enter into your neighbor’s vineyard, you may eat the grapes to quench your appetite but don’t get greedy and place any in a container to bring home.  The same goes with his grain.  You may pick at the heads of the standing grain but do not use a sickle. 

The surviving brother shall take his brother’s wife, go into her, and keep the family name.

Deuteronomy 24: ^{1 – 4} These verses are what the Pharisees erroneously referred to in Matthew 19:7. Due to all of the confusion of divorce, Moses made a decree that a certificate of divorce could be established if a man found his wife to be unclean.  In any circumstance, he could not remarry her.

In verses 5 – 22, Moses reminds the children of Israel of the laws that have been established previously.

• When a man and woman marry, the man shall not go to war for one year.
• If a man kidnaps anyone’s children and mistreats them, he shall be put to death.
• Remember the law of leprosy.
• Keep your pledge between your brethren without hardship.
• Do not oppress your hired servant.
• You are not put to death for anyone else’s sins.
• Do not pervert justice of the fatherless.
• ^{– 22} When going through your fields for sheaf, olives, or grapes, if you pass by or forget to harvest, do not go back.  Leave these for the stranger, the fatherless the widow.

Deuteronomy 25: ^{1 – 3} All disputes go before the judges.  Whatever the outcome, the wicked shall take his punishment but should not be beaten more than forty lashes less he be humiliated.

^{4 – 10} Interesting law on marriage between brothers.  If brothers live together, at least one of them is married, and has no son, if the brother who is married, with no son, should die, her husband’s brother should take her as his wife.  The firstborn son, after the marriage, will succeed the name of his dead brother so his name would not be blotted out of Israel.

If the brother does not want to take his brother’s wife and his wife, they shall go to the elders and he would be shunned and have his sandal removed.

^{11 – 12} If two men are fighting and a man’s wife draws near to help, she had better not grab a hold of the other man’s genitals or her hand will be cut off.

^{13 – 16} These verses are repeated several times in scripture concerning unbalanced scales.  Be sure, at all times that you are dealing fairly. 

^{17 – 19} Blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

Deuteronomy 26: ^{1 – 15} Moses reminded them of when they go into their land in which they inherited and they settle in and dwell there, they should honor the firstfruits to the priests.

^{16 -19} Moses continues his sermon by telling them this is the day you are to observe. All of these judgements and statutes.  All that God has given you over all nations.  Praise and honor His name always.

The Lord has promised us to deliver us into His hand and take care of us.  When I get to this place, out of where I am now, I must promise to give God all the thanks and remember to give to Him what He has given to me.  When the Jews were delivered into the Promised Land, they were to give God the first fruits and the tithe. 

1.3         Sermon three – Comfort for their faithfulness

Deuteronomy 27: ^{1 – 10} Moses tells them that when they do cross over the Jordan, to the land filled with milk and honey, they are to build an alter out of stones; no iron tool shall be used.  White wash all of the stones with lime and inscribe the law on them.  Make your peace offering, eat there, and rejoice before the Lord.  “You shall build with whole stones the alter of the Lord your God…”  This verse tells me that God doesn’t care about flamboyancy but rather, your heart.  God wanted an alter built that would not draw attention away from Him.   “Cursed is the one who makes a carved or molded image, an abomination to the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.” 

^{11 – 26} [9]There were, it seems, in Canaan, that part of it, which afterwards fell to the lot of Ephraim (Joshua’s tribe), two mountains that lay near together, with a valley between, one called Gerizim and the other Ebal. On the sides of these two mountains, which faced one another, all the tribes were to be drawn up, six on one side and six on the other.  So that in the valley, at the foot of each mountain, they came pretty near together, so near as that the priests standing betwixt them might be heard by those that were next them on both sides. Then, when silence was proclaimed, and attention commanded, one of the priests, or perhaps more at some distance from each other, pronounced with a loud voice one of the curses here following.  Then all the people that stood on the side and foot of Mount Ebal (those that stood further off taking the signal from those that stood nearer and within hearing) said Amen.  Then the contrary blessing was pronounced, “Blessed is he that doth not so or so,’’ and then those that stood on the side, and at the foot, of Mount Gerizim, said Amen. This could not but affect them very much with the blessings and curses, the promises and threatening, of the law, and not only acquaint all the people with them, but also teach them to apply them to themselves. I. Something is to be observed, in general, concerning this solemnity, which was to be done, but once and not repeated, but would be talked of to posterity.  God appointed which tribes should stand upon Mount Gerizim and which on Mount Ebal (v. 12, v. 13), to prevent the disputes that might have arisen if they had been left to dispose of themselves. The six tribes that were appointed for blessing were all the children of the free women, for to such the promise belongs.

The cursing’s proclaimed:

Cursed who…

• Treats his father or mother with contempt.
• One who moves his neighbor’s landmark.
• Those who make the blind wander off the road.
• Anyone who pervert’s justice.
• Those who lie with their father’s wife.
• Those who lie with any animal.
• Those who would lie with their sister or daughter.
• Anyone who lies.
• Anyone who attacks his neighbor.
• Taking a bribe to slay an innocent person.
• Anyone who does not confirm all of the words of the law.

“This day you have become the people of the Lord your God.” 

Deuteronomy 28: Blessings on Obedience.

^{1 – 14} God, from the very beginning of time had the Jews as His people.  He orchestrated Joseph going to Egypt, generations going by, and then the Egyptians hating the Jews.  “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, and that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.”  There was no way that anyone could have obeyed all of these laws and God knew it.  The laws were a curse (Galatians 3:13).  “The Lord will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in His ways.”  “You shall lend to many nations but you shall not borrow.” 

“And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them.”

God did this to show His supremacy and God ship above all of other gods.  He raised up Moses to lead the Jewish nation out of captivity, through the wilderness, and into the Promised Land.  God laid on Moses, and the people, the laws in which no one could possibly carry out.  God did reward the Jews for their obedience.

When the children of Israel entered into the Promised Land, God was rewarding them for establishing His commandments.  Always continue to walk in His ways.  All nations were to fear this great nation.  God would multiply their livestock and crops and protect them in every way as long as they stayed true to his statutes and commandments.

^{15 – 68} Curses on Disobedience.  Moreover, all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you, until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. And they shall be upon you for a sign and a wonder, and on your descendants forever.”

^{15 – 19} If the Jewish nation did not obey the voice of the Lord and observe His commandments and His statutes, His curses would overtake them.

1. Cursed shall be your cities and countries.
2. Cursed shall be your kneading bowl for food.
3. Cursed shall be all fruit from your fields.
4. You will be cursed going and coming.
5. The Lord will curse you with confusion.
6. The Lord will cast a plague to consume your land.
7. You will be cursed with fever and inflammations.
8. The Lord will cease the rain and turn it into dust.
9. The Lord will cause you to be destroyed by your enemies.
10. Your bodies will lay dead and eaten by the birds of prey.
11. You will be stricken with boils.
12. You will be stricken with madness and confusion.
13. You shall be plundered continuously.

The plagues go on for generations.  God would not tolerate disobedience of His statutes and commandments for how He brought them out of the land of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 29: ¹ The Lord renewed the covenant with Moab.

^{2 – 9} Moses reminded the Jews of all the Lord had done from freeing them from Egypt to overtaking the Og King of Bashan and keeping them fed.

^{10 – 13} Moses reminded them how the Lord assisted him.  The Lord established the leadership and needs for them to keep His covenants as they enter into the Land that He has promised them.

^{14 – 19} Moses makes this covenant with all of the children and with those who did not listen to the statutes.  These people stand firmly away from those who chose the abominations of their idols of wood, stone, silver, and gold.  They in which turned to other gods.

^{20 – 22} For those who chose to serve other gods, the Lord would not spare them and he would separate them from the tribes of Israel and blot their names from the covenant that was written in this Book.  Generation after generation would suffer from these plagues.

^{23 – 28} Many would ask why the Lord has done this to their land.  God’s anger arose by their abominations to serve other gods.  For all that, God had done from freeing them from Egypt to bringing them to the Land promised to their fathers.

²⁹ God keeps His secrets within Him but those things, which have been revealed, belong to His people forever that they may follow His Words and keep His laws.

Deuteronomy 30: ^{1 – 6} God’s blessings will be restored to all of Israel upon the obedience of His people.  No matter where God has scattered His people, He will return them.  They will multiply plenty on the earth.

^{7 – 10} The blessings God will provide His people by their obedience is abundantly clear, as He will place all of the curses on your enemies.  The reward for your obedience will be by the increase of your livestock and all of the works of your hands.  All of this will be maintained as long as you obey the Book of the Law.

^{11 – 14} Moses told them that by the pure obedience of God’s law and turning your life to Him, there would be no question as to where your inheritance will come.  It will not be a mystery to you.  God will place all of the answers in you.

^{15 – 16} Moses concludes this portion of the sermon by telling them what God has set before them; what is life and good and what is death and evil.  Keep walking in His ways and follow His commandments and statutes that you may possess all that He has for you.

^{17 – 18} Moses tells them that they have the choice to turn their hearts away or follow God.  If they choose to turn their hearts away, they will surely perish.

This is true for us today.  We have a choice to choose Jesus as our Lord and Savior and have eternal life with Him or to turn away.

^{19 – 20} Moses concludes by telling them that before the heavens and the earth, he has set before them life or death.  By choosing life, you will inherit what God had promised their fathers.

1.4         The end of Sermon Three

Deuteronomy 31:  ^{1 – 8} Moses tells Israel that he is very old and will not cross over the Jordon with them that the Lord will carry them over.  Joshua will lead them going forward.  He assures them not to be afraid that by following all of God’s commandments and statutes, He would protect and provide for them.

^{9 – 13} Moses commanded them by saying, “at the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of release, at the Feast of Tabernacles…’.  The law shall be read every seven years.  This law shall not be a stranger to anybody, men, women, and little ones, including the strangers.

^{14 – 15} The Lord told Moses that it was time for him to die and Joshua to step forward.

^{16 – 18} God tells Moses that it is his time to rest with his fathers.  At the same time, God predicts to Moses that all of the people will turn away from Him by turning to other gods and His anger will arise against them.

^{19 – 21} God told Moses to write down a song and teach it to the children of Israel.  The song should reiterate God’s love for His children from how He brought them out of Egypt to the Land flowing with milk and honey and how the children still turned to other gods.

^{22 – 23} Moses wrote the song and taught it to the children of Israel.  He then inaugurated Joshua.

^{24 – 29} Moses then took the book, after he had completed writing the law, and handed it over to the Levites to set beside the Ark of the Covenant.  Moses went on to tell them, even when I was in charge and lead you here, you rebelled against the Lord so how much more will you rebel once I’m gone?  He warns them that they will become corrupt and provoke the Lord to anger.

Deuteronomy 32: The song of Moses.

^{1 – 4} Moses begins his song by giving glory to God and being the Rock of his salvation.

^{5 – 6} Moses questions the children of Israel on why they would grow corrupt.

^{7 – 12} Moses explains how God has moved in their fathers and protected them.

^{13 – 14} Moses tells them how God provided food and drink.

^{15 – 18} Moses continues to show how their past generation grew away from God towards foreign gods and forsook the God of their salvation.

^{19 – 35} Moses told them of the sins of their past generation and how God forsook them.  When you put your trust and faith in the Rock, there is no worry, no corruption.  When you forsake the Rock of your salvation, so shall He.

^{36 – 38} Moses then tells them, when they had turned to the other gods and lost everything, where were their gods to help them. 

^{39 – 42} Moses explains how God is mighty and powerful.  He will judge by lifting or by destroying.

⁴³ Rejoice in the Lord, our God.

^{44 – 47} Once Moses completed his song, he instructed them to listen carefully, observe the laws and statutes, and be sure to pass all of this down through the generations.  By this, your days will be prolonged.

^{48 – 52} God then instructed Moses to go up the mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is across from Jericho, and view the land of Canaan.  God tells Moses that he shall die there and not enter into the Promised Land because of his transgression at the waters of Meribah Kadesh.

Deuteronomy 33: In much the same manner as Exodus 31:  Moses’ final blessing on Israel

^{1 – 5} Moses explains how God appeared to him and commanded a law.

He passed down a blessing to each tribe.

1. Reuben.
2. Judah.
3. Levi.
4. Benjamin.
5. A special blessing for Joseph.
6. Zebulun.
7. Gad who administered judgement.
8. Dan.
9. Naphtali.
10. Asher, the most blessed of sons.

^{26 – 27} Moses told them that there is no God like your God.  He will protect you.

^{28 – 29} Moses farewell to the children of Israel to dwell in safety and enjoy your new found land.

“From His right hand came a fiery law for them.”   My take on this is the law came from God’s right hand here.  Jesus came from God’s right hand, redeemed us from the curse of the law [Galatians 3:13] and returned to Father’s right hand.   Ironic…huh?

“The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, who shelters him all the day long; and he shall dwell between His shoulders.”  What a comfort to know. 

Deuteronomy 34: ^{1 – 4} Moses proceeded up from Moab to Mount Nebo where the Lord showed him all of the land the children of Israel would inherit but not him.

⁵ Moses died there in the land of Moab.

⁶ God personally buried Moses in Moab but no one knows, to this day, where the grave is.

⁷ It appears in verse that Moses, himself, was not ready to die.  His eyes were not dim and he still had some vigor.

⁸ The children of Israel wept for Moses for thirty days.

⁹ Joshua was filled with the Spirit as Moses had blessed him and the children of Israel were ready to follow him.^{10 – 12} There has never been anyone risen that could ever equal the prophet Moses.  For how the Lord appeared to him and how he did all of the signs and wonders in Egypt.

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[1] Bible.org

[2] John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible

[3]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

[4] Matthew Henry

[5] Matthew Henry

[6] Matthew Henry

[7] Matthew Henry

[8] Benson Commentary

[9] Matthew Henry