Preparing to Enter The Promised Land
[Deuteronomy]
Moses reviews the wilderness wanderings
[Deu 1-3]
Moses
recounts
the
wilderness
wanderings,
how,
when
approaching
the
promised
land,
twelve
men
were
sent
to
spy
out
the
land
and
the
people
rebelled
after
hearing
the
report
from
ten
of
the
men.
As
a
consequence
of
this
they
were
to
wander
in
the
desert
for
another
thirty
eight
years.
After
all
this
time
they
approached
the
plains
of
Moab
and
defeated
Sihon,
king
of
Heshbon,
and
Og,
king
of
Bashan.
Reuben,
Gad
and
the
half
tribe
of
Manasseh
requested
possession
of
this
land
on
the
east
side
of
the
Jordan
river.
It
was
granted to them providing the men took part in the battles to possess Canaan.
Moses recalls how, from the top of Pisgah, he was shown the land to be possessed, but would not be permitted to enter it.
A call to obedience
[Deu 4:1-43]
Moses
reminds
the
people
of
the
incidents
with
Moabite
women
and
followers
of
Baalpeor,
then
calls
them
to
obedience
as
they
take
possession
of
the
promised
land.
They
are
to
teach
their
children
the
laws
given
at
Horeb,
and
they
are
not
to
make
any
form
of
idols
for
worship.
Moses
gives
them
a
prophetic
warning
that
if
they
become
corrupt
in
future
generations,
they
will
be
scattered
amongst
other peoples and only a remnant will survive and return in later days.
Then
Moses
sets
aside
three
cities
of
refuge
on
the
east
side
of
Jordan,
one
for
each
tribe,
to
which
a
person
could
flee
if
he
had
unintentionally killed another.
Commandments, statutes and judgements
[Deu 4:44-26:19]
Moses
summons
all
Israel
to
hear
the
laws
given
by
God
at
Horeb.
He
first
repeats
the
Ten
Commandments
then
gives
further
instruction
before
repeating
the
rest
of
the
laws,
which
Moses
calls
commandments,
statutes
and
judgements.
They
are
to
continually
recall
them
to
their
children,
and
have
them
written
in
places
where
they
will
always
be
seen.
Obedience
is
to
be
a
condition
of
their
prosperity
and
righteousness.
They
are
God’s
chosen
people
and
must
always
remember
He
is
the
Lord
their
God.
Moses
tells
them
that
they
are
to
possess
the
land,
not
because
of
their
righteousness,
but
because
of
God’s
covenant
with
Abraham,
Isaac
and
Jacob,
for
they
are
a
stiff-necked
people
who
have
continually
provoked
God.
He
recalls
the
golden
calf
incident,
how
he
broke
the
tables,
and
fearing
God’s
anger
against
them
interceded
on
their
behalf.
New
tables
of
stone
were
provided
on
which
God
wrote
the
Ten
Commandments.
They
are
now
to
circumcise
their
hearts
and
no
longer
be
stiff-necked.
They
have
witnessed
all
the
great
things
God
has
done
for
them,
but
He
will
do
even
more
when
they
posses
the
Promised
Land,
providing
they
love
the
Lord
their
God,
and
serve
him
with
all
their
heart
and
with
all
their
soul.
Their
need
for
obedience
will
be
stated
again
when
they
possess
the
land,
at
which
time
they will be required to proclaim the blessings of obedience from Mount Gerizim, and the curses of disobedience from Mount Ebal.
They
are
to
rid
the
land
of
all
idolatrous
places
and
their
offerings
are
only
to
be
made
in
a
place
God
will
choose
and
declare
once
they
have
settled
in
the
land.
They
are
warned
against
any
further
acts
of
idolatry
as
their
love
for
God
will
be
tested
by
some
people
who
will
tell
of
a
sign
or
wonder
that
then
comes
true,
suggesting
that
they
should
worship
other
gods.
Even
if
this
person
is
one
they
love,
they
are
to
be
exposed
and
put
to
death.
If
they
hear
rumours
of
idolatry
in
another
town,
it
is
to
be
investigated
and,
if
found
to
be true, all its inhabitants are to be executed and the town completely destroyed and burned, never to be rebuilt.
Moses then recalls the laws concerning clean and unclean food, tithing and the feasts they are to keep.
They
are
to
appoint
judges
and
set
up
courts,
but
anything
too
difficult
for
their
courts
is
to
be
taken
to
the
priests,
whose
decisions
are to be binding.
Kings and prophets will be raised and guidance is given concerning them.
Instructions
are
given
for:
Cities
of
Refuge;
the
need
for
two
or
more
witnesses;
going
to
war;
atonement
for
an
unsolved
murder;
marrying a captive woman; the right of the firstborn; dealing with a rebellious son, cross-dressing, marriage violations and more.
Blessings and curses
[Deu 27-28]
Moses
instructs
the
people
to
build
an
altar
on
Mount
Ebal
when
they
have
crossed
the
Jordan.
This
altar
is
to
be
finished
in
plaster
and
all
the
laws
Moses
has
given
them
are
to
be
clearly
written
on
it.
The
tribes
of
Simeon,
Levi,
Judah,
Issachar,
Joseph
and
Benjamin
are
to
stand
on
Mount
Gerizim
to
bless
the
people;
the
tribes
of
Reuben,
Gad,
Asher,
Zebulun,
Dan
and
Naphtali
are
to
stand
on
Mount
Ebal
to pronounce curses. The Levites are then to recite twelve curses, all with the response of “Amen!” from the people.
Moses
then
tells
them
all
the
ways
in
which
they
will
be
blessed
by
God
if
they
obey
His
commandments.
He
then
gives
them
a
lengthy list of terrible curses that will come upon them if they are disobedient.
The Land Covenant
[Deu 29-30]
The
people
are
about
to
receive
another
unconditional
covenant,
referred
to
as
the
Land
Covenant.
Moses
prepares
them
by
reminding
them
of
the
things
they
have
seen
God
do,
and
that
their
obedience
is
required
to
avoid
His
wrath.
The
covenant
entered
is
a
promise
from
God
that
they
will
be
restored
from
any
dispersion
and
will
again
prosper,
but
with
their
hearts
circumcised.
Yet
Moses
emphasises
the choice is theirs to avoid God’s wrath or not, and they will remain in the promised land and prosper all the time they are obedient.
The succession and Moses’ last days
[Deu 31-34]
At
the
age
of
120
years,
Moses
announces
Joshua
as
his
successor
to
lead
the
people
across
the
Jordan
and
take
possession
of
the
land.
He
tells
them
the
law
is
to
be
read
to
all
Israel
every
seven
years
during
the
Feast
of
Tabernacles,
emphasising
that
their
children,
who do not know the law, must hear it and learn to fear God.
God
summons
Moses
and
Joshua
and
speaks
to
them
in
the
tabernacle.
Moses
is
told
that
the
people
will
rebel
and
is
given
a
song
to
teach
the
Israelites,
a
song
that
will
testify
against
them
and
be
remembered
by
their
descendants.
God
tells
Joshua
to
be
strong
and courageous, as it is he that will lead the Israelites into the promised land.
Having
finished
writing
the
book
of
the
law,
Moses
gives
it
to
the
Levites
(who
carry
the
Ark
of
the
Covenant)
to
place
it
in
the
ark
where it is to be kept. Moses then recites the song to the people.
Moses
blesses
all
Israel
by
tribe,
then
climbs
Mount
Nebo
where
God
shows
him
the
whole
of
the
promised
land
for
the
last
time
before burying him in Moab, in a place not known by any man.
And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.
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