If a lot of Deuteronomy may seem like review, well, it is. Deuteronomy consists of a set of speeches given by Moses as the Israelites were preparing to go into the Promised Land (again). All the Israelites who had heard these speeches before had died in the past 40 years, including Moses’ own siblings Miriam and Aaron. I’m not going to spend this post writing “this is a repeat or a retelling of this and that” I will, however, point out things that are new and interesting.
Og, king of Bashan is mentioned 8 times in the first 4 chapters. He was a giant king (his bed was 9 cubits, or 13 feet, long!) and victory over him was very important in building the Israelite’s courage. Let me also say that I really like his name.
Speaking of names, God has a new spin on His name in Deuteronomy. In Numbers He was usually called “The Lord.” In Deuteronomy, though, He is often “The Lord your God.” This makes Him more personal to the Israelites, showing more relationship. He is not only God, but THEIR God.
A special command called the Shemah (Hebrew for hear) is found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. It begins: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!” The Israelites are commanded to love God, to review and study His laws, and to bind them on their hands, foreheads, and on their doorposts. This led to the tradition of Jewish people having a mezuzah (small box) near the door of their house. The mezuzah usually has a scroll with this scripture inside, in Hebrew.
Chapter 7 begins a section of commands, promises, and warnings. Don’t follow other gods! The Lord your God, the Lord is one! There are also promises of prosperity when they arrive in the new land.
10:12-13 “Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Hm, and to serve the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the Lord’s commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?” Again, the point, the way to follow God, is to LOVE HIM with everything you are. Is obedience necessary? Of course! But which is more important, to be concerned about following a long list of rules or to love the Lord your God with your whole self?
Again (11:22-23) the Israelites are commanded to love the Lord their God.
Chapter 12 tells the Israelites that they are to offer their sacrifices in specific places, because the offerings are holy. God’s not just being picky here, He is demanding holiness.
Chapter 13-Once again, love the Lord your God. Worship Him only. Do not follow false gods. (Are you listening yet?)
Chapter 20 holds some new rules of war. First, the Israelites were to try to make peace with the people of the land. They were only to besiege the city if the inhabitants attacked first. However, there were still some people in the land that were to be destroyed.
Chapter 21 has an interesting passage about a murder with no witnesses. The sacrifice brought forgiveness to whoever it was who had committed the crime, and (hopefully) prevented retribution.
Notice in 23:3 that “no Moabite shall enter the assembly of the Lord,” and yet, remember Ruth? She was a from Moab, and yet she was not only allowed to join in the community of the Jews but she became King David’s great-grandmother and is therefore in the genealogy of Jesus. This shows again the mysterious nature of God, in that His mercy is extended to all.
There was a lot to read this week, but most of it was things we had read before. Keep at it! See you next time!
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