09 Deuteronomy 1-5 – Review and Renewal
Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy - Life in the DesertAll written materials for this series will be posted on this website, http://servingandsharing.com/, under the category, “Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy – Life in the Desert.” Here is my video presentation introducing this series – https://youtu.be/Lynx51p0tJA.
Watch this specific class presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKKB1uvyHFM. The entire series will be added to this playlist as they are recorded: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKKB1uvyHFM&list=PL7JRppjEn33bCHyqZFRQ2JDiJnGRnOYyR. Please use the “Contact” button to request corresponding handouts and outlines.
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Deuteronomy, which means “second law,” is a retelling by Moses of the teachings and events of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. It includes an extended review of the Ten Commandments (4:44–5:33) and Moses’ farewell address to a new generation of Israelites as they stand ready to take possession of the Promised Land. Moses reminds them of God’s faithfulness and love, but also of God’s wrath on the previous generation of Israelites because of their rebellion. Repeatedly he charges Israel to keep the Law. Deuteronomy is a solemn call to love and obey the one true God. There are blessings for faithfulness and curses for unfaithfulness. The book closes with the selection of Joshua as Israel’s new leader and the death of Moses.
Deuteronomy: Facts
Name = “second law,” repeated for the second generation.
Author: Moses (Josh 1:7; Jud 3:4; Matt 19:7-9; Jn 5:45-47), age 120.
Place: plains of Moab, due east of Jericho and the Jordan River.
Time frame: about one month, c. 1405 BC, end of forty-year delay.
Deuteronomy: God’s Wilderness Survival Guide
Listen, Remember, Obey, and Teach
Dt 4:9 “Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.”
Deuteronomy: Its Value
Systematic themes: grace, faith, law, loyalty, results.
Recalling the past to chart the future.
Observation, Interpretation, Application.
One choice that comprehends all choices.
Key to the rest of OT. Kings, idols, exile, return.
OT book most quoted by Jesus himself. Temptations, etc.
The Shema: “Hear, O Israel.” Greatest command.
Deuteronomy Parallels: Ancient Hittite Treaties
Deuteronomy is inspired Scripture, not copied from any human source.
Its layout fits the covenant style used in that time and culture.
Preamble Deut 1:1-5
Historical Prologue Deut 1:6-4:43
General Stipulations Deut 4:44-11:32
Specific Stipulations Deut 12:1-26:19
Blessings and Curses Deut 27:1-28:68
Document Clause Deut 31:9-29
Witnesses Deut 32:1-47
Deuteronomy: Moses’ Three-Part Sermon Series
1:1-4:43 REVIEW – “What God Has Done for Israel”
4:44-26:19 REQUIREMENTS – “What God Expects from Israel”
27:1-34:12 REWARD – “What God Will Do for Israel”
Deuteronomy: Dangers
The Danger of Abundance
The Danger of Complacency
The Danger of Paganism
The Danger of Tolerance
The Danger of Contamination
Deut 1 – Sinai, Kadesh-Barnea
1:1-5 Intro: Speaker – Moses; Hearers – 2nd-gen Israel; Place – Moab desert; Time – 40th year. Distance from Horeb (Sinai) to Kadesh-barnea: 150 miles, an 11-day journey. Then 38-year delay (Dt 2:14)!
Sihon and Og: indisputable proof and guarantee of future victory.
1:6-4:43 Moses’ First Speech: Historical Prologue.
1:6-8 Command: Leave Horeb (Mt. Sinai)
“You’ve stayed here long enough (one year). Get up and get going!”
1:9-18 Organization: Appoint, Structure Leaders
“I cannot bear the burden of carrying you all by myself.”
Delegation (Ex 18). Expanding the leadership.
1:19 Arrival in Kadesh-Barnea
1:20-25 Commission: Sending the Spies (Num 13:1-3)
1:26-33 Rebellion: Refusing to Enter Land
Dt 1:32 But for all this, you did not trust the LORD your God, 33 who goes before you on your way, to seek out a place for you to encamp, in fire by night and cloud by day, to show you the way … you should go.
Don’t forget the past, question the present, or fear the future.
1:34-40 Consequences: Generation to Perish
1:41-46 Presumption: Failed Attempt, Defeat (Num 14:40)
Deut 2 – Edom, Moab, Ammon, Sihon
2:1-8 Seir (Edom, descendants of Jacob’s brother Esau)
“They will fear you. Be careful. Buy food and drink. Don’t take land.”
2:9-15 Moab (descendants of Lot by incest with his daughter)
2:16-23 Ammon (descendants of Lot by incest with his other daughter)
2:24-37 Amorite King Sihon of Heshbon (named 37 times in the Bible!)
Moses offered to pass through peacefully, stay on the direct highway, and purchase food and drink. Sihon refused and initiated war. Yahweh gave Israel total victory. Sihon and his people were utterly destroyed.
Deut 3 – Og, Land, Moses’ Penalty
3:1-7 Amorite King Og of Bashan (named 22 times in the Bible!)
Just like Sihon, Og confronted Israel and suffered total destruction.
3:8-11 Transjordanian Land Just Conquered
Og’s bedstead (couch, resting place, coffin): 13-1/2” L by 6-1/2” W.
“It’s in Rabbah.” (Implication – visible, verifiable proof. “Go see it!”)
3:12-17 Allotted to Reuben, Gad, Manasseh
3:18-22 Further War Efforts Required Beyond the Jordan
As with Sihon and Og the giant, so with all.
3:23-29 Moses Allowed to See, not Enter, Land
“Angry with me on your account …”
Deut 4a – Obedience Versus Idolatry
4:1-4 Reason to Obey: You will live.
4:5-8 Reason to Obey: You will be great and wise.
4:9-14 Reason to Obey: Horeb (Mt. Sinai) – PAST.
4:15-24 Reason to Obey: God’s Ownership – PRESENT.
4:25-31 Reason to Obey: Keeping the Land – FUTURE.
4:32-40 Reason to Obey: God’s Unique Character.
Deut 4b – Cities of Refuge, Intro to Law
4:41-43 Cities of Refuge
4:44-49 Introduction to the Law
Deut 5 – Ten Commandments and Response
5:1-21 The Ten Commandments
“His covenant is with us, with all who are alive here today.”
5:22-27 The People’s Response
Yahweh a consuming fire (Heb 12:29). We will hear and obey!
5:28-33 The LORD’s Affirmation
Dt 5:29 Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!
People return to tents. Moses remains to receive entire Law.
Exhortation: “Turn neither right nor left.” Stay on the path. No detours!
