Deuteronomy

Garry Leonard Harding

Deuteronomy • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

Law

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Repetition of the Law

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Introduction

The name Deuteronomy, given to the fifth and last book of the Pentateuch, means “repetition of the law.” Moses repeated and reiterated the truths of God for the people of God just before they entered the Land of Promise.

This new generation of Israelites would need to carry into their new land the same old, timeless teachings that had been passed down from their fathers. Moses would not be able to enter with them, but he would do his best to be sure the Word of God was within them. The book of Deuteronomy is not a boring repetition of the same old things we have already studied.

Rather it is a recapitulation of the essential truths, delivered with passion and compassion by the great prophet Moses.

Deuteronomy is essentially three sermons, back to back, delivered as a farewell address by one of the greatest men the world will ever know.

Obedience

A word study shows us that the words bless and blessing (47 Times) are found more in the book of Deuteronomy than in any other Biblical book. How might we obtain blessings from God? We can study the word obedience(10 times NIV) and see that it too is found more times in Deuteronomy than in any other portion of the Scripture. Put the two together and you have the essential message of the book—we will be blessed by God, if we obey God:

“All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out” ().

The above quotation is a portion of Moses’ instructions for one of the greatest object lessons ever recorded. In , Moses instructed the Israelites not to forget God and His commands once they entered the land of Canaan.

After crossing the Jordan, God’s people were to set up a huge monument of stones and coat them with plaster. Upon the stones would be etched the words of the Law. This memorial was to be set on the side of Mount.

Next to the graphic portrayal of the Law, they must build an altar for the sacrifice of animals. Both the monument and the altar would be set into the side of Mount Ebal. Facing Mount Ebal was Mount Gerizim. Six of the tribes were to climb up the sides of Ebal and the other six were to position themselves on Gerizim.

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“Remember”

As can be seen even today, the two mountains, joined by a rocky valley, form a natural amphitheater. Even a quiet word spoken from one mountain can be heard clearly from the top of the other. Both mountains have limestone formations that make for comfortable seating.

It was here, in a place arranged beforehand by God, that the people were to shout antiphonally the blessings and cursings promised by God based on their obedience or disobedience to God’s law. As they proclaimed this truth, their voices would carry profoundly across the valley and settle quietly over the written law and the smoking altar.

The Law set the direction for right living. The altar made provision for wrong living. But it would be up to the people to never forget. The fulfillment of this God-given, bigger-than-life illustration is described in .

Just at the point when the Israelites were building momentum for an all-out attack on the land of Canaan, God would have them pull aside and remember. For their true victory would not depend on momentum, but on obedience. Without God’s blessing, God’s people are bound to fail. We too need to take regular Sabbaths and rest stops in our daily, weekly, and monthly routines to remember, reflect, and recall the commands and promises of God. We too will be blessed if we consider obedience too important to be crowded out by business.

Where Obedience Fits in the Plan of God

Deuteronomy is the capstone of the Pentateuch. The truths built in the first four books of the Bible carry little significance without this finishing piece. We can draw parallels between the development of the Jewish nation and the maturation process with all human beings:

Genesis tells us how God’s people were formed (gestation). Exodus explains how God’s people were delivered (birth).

Leviticus contains guidelines on how God’s people were to live together (childhood). Numbers recounts how God’s people wandered (adolescence).

Deuteronomy summarizes how God’s people, already formed, delivered, and growing, were to succeed in the Land of Canaan with God’s blessing (adulthood).

True obedience is a sign of true maturity. While God wants us to be obedient from day one, like any child, we learn obedience through a lifetime of hard-knocks and rewards for right decision. The book of Deuteronomy itself, like a gem placed neatly by God in Holy Scripture, sparkles with insight regarding the will of God. Deuteronomy can be outlined according to the three sermons of Moses:

First Sermon—: looking backward at the curses for disobedience. Second Sermon—: looking upward for the blessings of obedience. Third Sermon—: looking forward to prepare for God’s blessings.

Moses was 120 years old when the Jews were about to enter the land, but he would not be allowed to enter himself. Still strong and vital, like the law of God, he seemed fit to live forever (). For forty years, this man of God had lived as a prince in Egypt. For another forty, he lived in the heat of the desert.

For his final forty years, Moses would lead the Israelites and teach them the way of obedience. The trip from Sinai to the entry point of Canaan takes only eleven days by foot () but forty years by growth. Plead as he might, Moses would not bring the people into the land of promise, any more than could the law itself bring a Christian into a life of true maturity and obedience. Joshua, whose name means “Jesus,” would lead them in. It should be no surprise that Jesus loved the book of Deuteronomy. Our Lord quoted it to resist the devil and to instruct the people (; ). The law leads us to Christ, and Christ leads us to true life. The law shows the need for obedience, and Jesus provides the ability to obey. He is the fulfillment of the law ().

An overview of Deuteronomy reminds us of the rewards of obedience—blessings. An overview of the Pentateuch tells of the requirements for obedience—maturity. An overview of the Bible makes clear the source of obedience—Jesus Christ.

Final Thought

We can paraphrase to fit our lives today: “All these blessings will be yours and will stick with you if you obey the LORD your God: You will be blessed wherever you go and wherever you live. Your children will be blessed, and your business—the time you spend and the investments you make. Your refrigerator will be full and your bank account more than sufficient. You will be blessed when you come home and blessed when you go about your daily activities.”

In reading these verses again with new eyes, let us take seriously their condition for fulfillment with new resolve. The condition? Three words: “If you obey.”

Note:

Is Prosperity Assured Today?

Proponents of prosperity theology use passages like this one to claim that we may today expect the kind of prosperity described here. Indeed, prosperity is a key theme in this passage. Verse 11 says, “And the Lord will make you abound in prosperity.” Yet we must remember two things. First, these promises are to a righteous nation under the old covenant. Second, while the principle of prosperity for the obedient is applied in some passages to individuals under the new covenant, other passages show that the path to prosperity may sometimes be through deprivation and suffering. In fact, we see this in many instances with individuals under the old covenant too, as and the book of Job show. Here righteous people struggle with their apparent lack of prosperity and even wonder whether God has forsaken them.

In Christ’s basic call to discipleship recorded in the Synoptic Gospels, he promised his followers life and victory and vindication ultimately when he comes with his holy angels (). Eternal prosperity is assured for faithful followers of God. But the path to prosperity may be one of suffering and self-denial. So before those promises Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (). Then he said, “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it” (8:35). It is always worthwhile and incomparably rewarding to live the life of obedience.

During the time of obedience, we may not have some of the material blessings that people use to measure prosperity. But we will have the abundantly full life that Christ came to give us () with the fullness of Christ’s joy () and “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (). We may or may not have material prosperity here, but we have this abundant life because of the presence of God with us here and will surely have an eternal reward that surpasses all earthly prosperity. Speaking of life under the new covenant, Paul said, “… godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (). The righteous are the ones who really have the best of both worlds.

Devotion (Personal Study)

1. Read the commentary portion of this study guide. Write down one insight that was especially challenging or encouraging for you

2. Read . Moses was recounting history in order that the Israelites might learn from their failures. Imagine yourself in their sandals. What is the key lesson you would draw from these accounts?

3. Read . Moses often pleaded with God on behalf of the people. Now he prays for himself.

a. Why do you think God did not grant his request?

a. Can you think of other examples in the Scriptures where godly people do not receive their requests before God?

- David’s pray for the life of his and Bathsheba’s child.

- Paul’s repeated request for his so called “thorn in the Flesh.

- Jonah’s prayer that God take his life.

1 King’s 19:4 - Elijah’s fleeing from the wrath of Jezebel requesting his life be taken.

What are some prayers you have recently offered to which God has not given the divine “Yes”?

4. Read . This section is packed with golden promises. Choose two favorite verses and record them here. Use them as a basis of prayer to God now, trusting Him to guide and bless you in the days ahead.

5. Read . Which of the Ten Commandments do you find most difficult to obey?

What promise follows these commands ().

Discussion (Small Group Study)

6. Read .

a. What portions of these words are well known today?

Are these words just as relevant today?

b. What was the main point of ?

How might we apply these truths to our lives?

7. See . What were the people to do when they entered Canaan? Why?

Discuss how these strong commands might relate to our lives at work, at home, and in the church.

8. Read . On what basis did the Lord choose us?

Are Christians more deserving of God’s love than unbelievers?

Does God still show retribution and judgment on people today?

9. See . What are some “high places” (places of worship for idols) in our society today?

Do you have any such “high places” in your life?

What would God have you do about them?

10. Read . What might these cities represent?

Are there people in your life that you find it difficult to for- give?

How is unforgiveness the root of jealousy, vengeful thoughts, anger, and bitterness?

But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Scripture for Meditation

But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

What is the danger of not forgiving others? Take time to pray for one another and for God’s grace to apply the truths discussed in this lesson to your lives.

Digging Deeper (Further Study)

11. From , what were some of the reasons God commanded tithing for the Israelites? What are some reasons we should give generously to God and His people today?