Bible

Today in the Bible room we finish reading the summary of Deuteronomy. This is Part 2, chapters 18 – 34.

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Deuteronomy – Part 2

Moses’s Finality:

Moses gives his final sermon and blessings for Israel.

Chapter 18. Practices

Rules concerning various practices:

• The Levites are to be supported by tithes and offerings;
• Detestable practices of the heathen are not to be tolerated;
• The Lord does not permit the practice of sorcery;
• Another leader, like Moses, will be sent to them.

Chapter 19. Refuge

Cities of Refuge:

• After Canaan is conquered, set up three cities of refuge throughout the land;
• A person who accidentally kills another may take refuge from vengeance until a trial is held;
• Punishment for false witnesses.

Chapter 20. Assurance

The Lord promises to help His people conquer Canaan:

• Go to war; do not be afraid of the formidable enemy;
• As the Lord directs, destroy everything, kill all the men.

Chapter 21. Situations

Many situations will arise in their new land of Canaan:

• How to atone for an unsolved murder near a town;
• What to do about marrying a captive woman;
• The unconditional rights of a first-born son;
• A rebellious, profligate son is to be stoned to death;
• Felons who are hung on a tree must be buried that day.

Chapter 22. Instructions

Instructions are given for dealing with various issues:

• Subjects covered:  Lost and found items, clothing, nests, parapets, seed, yoked animals;
• Adultery and rape are punishable by death by stoning.

Chapter 23. Miscellany

Miscellaneous regulations are covered:

• Welcome friendship with Edomites, not Moabites, bad people;
• Keep your encampment clean and sanitary;
• Protect runaway slaves;
• Prostitution is prohibited;
• On loaned money, only charge interest to an alien;
• Only make vows you can keep.

Chapter 24. Relationships

Rules for various relationships:

• In marriage, divorce is allowed with conditions;
• Marriage gives a one-year military deferment;
• Penalty of death for kidnapping;
• Family members are not responsible for sins of relatives.

Chapter 25. Legalities

Legal matters are discussed:

• Disputes are to be settled in courts by judges;
• Punishment for the guilty must not exceed forty lashes;
• Do not muzzle the ox while on the tread mill;
• A wife whose husband dies is to marry his brother;
• Always use honest weights and measures;
• Do not forget what prior enemies have done to you.

Chapter 26. Tithing

Giving tithes and offerings is required:

• Be ever thankful for the Lord’s blessings, bringing a tenth of the first fruits to the Lord;
• The tenth, the first fruit, is a sacred portion;
• Do this and the Lord will bless you greatly.

Chapter 27. Immorality

Immoral behavior will result in condemnation:

• Immoral behavior is cursed by God;
• All willful disobedience is cursed by God.

Chapter 28. Obedience

Obedience always leads to blessings:

• You will be blessed in the city, blessed in the country;
• Herds will be blessed;  Harvests will be blessed;
• You will be blessed coming in, blessed going out;
• Blessed in everything you do;
• You will be a great nation;
• You will be prosperous, above every nation.

Disobedience always leads to curses:

• Every blessing for obedience, has the opposite effect for disobedience: Curses, confusion and rebuke at every step along the way.

Chapter 29. Reaffirmation

The Covenant (Agreement) offered by the Lord is reaffirmed:

• Moses recounts the highlights of their journey from Egypt;
• The Agreement is reaffirmed to those present, in addition to all future generations yet to come;
• “Things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever.”

Chapter 30. Repentance

Disobedience will be forgiven through repentance:

• In the event of failure, the Israelites will be scattered;
• Repentance will restore your relationship with God;
• A decision must be made:  It is life or death, blessings or curses;
• Therefore, choose life.

Chapter 31. Succession

Joshua is to succeed Moses as the Israelite leader:

• The Lord Himself will lead Israel across the Jordan into Canaan;
• Moses orders that the law is to be read every seven years;
• The Lord tells Moses Israel is going to become corrupt;
• There will be a falling away from God and the Law;
• Israel will turn to other gods; will be taken captive;
• Moses laments Israel’s future.

Chapter 32. Song

Moses composes a song of remembrance, lament, and praise:

• He sings of their journey, the good days, the bad days;
• He sings of the past, the present and the future;
• Moses is invited to Mt. Nebo where he is reminded of why he will not enter Canaan;
• Mt. Nebo will be where he dies.

Chapter 33.  Finality

Moses pronounces his final blessings over Israel:

• Family by family he speaks good things for them.

Chapter 34.  Obituary

From Mt. Nebo Moses can see almost all of Canaan:

• Because of his disobedience he will not enter Canaan;
• His final days are spent communing with his God, singing and writing songs and blessings for Israel;
• Moses dies at 120 years of age, still strong;
• The Lord buries him, his grave is never located.
• (The unknown writer of Moses’s obituary gives final accolades in recognition of the great Law Giver, Moses.)

END OF DEUTERONOMY – PART 2