Moses’s life is coming to a close. By the end of the book, the Israelites will have a new leader and are about to enter the promised land, the land of milk and honey. He is hoping that Israel will understand that they will be blessed beyond measure if they obey His commandments and if they don’t they will be cursed and scattered across the nations. Moses has passed the leadership role onto to Joshua and dies on Mount Nebo at 120 years old and there will not be another prophet like him, one that has spoken with God face to face. The last few chapters of Deuteronomy encouraging the Israelites to know the Law and to know that the Lord is with them and will not forsake them. Even though we are not Israelites, we need to know what God’s Word says and live by it and trust that the Lord is our protector and will not forsake us.
“The secret things belong to the Lord out God, but things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29
Passage:
Deuteronomy 26-34
Discovered:
- At the first harvest in the inherited land, will be an offering of a filled basket to the Lord, honoring their past.
- At year 3, they were to give their tithe to Levites, orphans, widows and travelers and publicly declare it was a clean tithe: not touched while mounting, didn’t touch while unclean or offered to the dead. Those that received it were to eat and be filled. Ask to bless the land and the people of Israel.
- When they crossed the Jordan, they were to whitewash stones and write the commandments for all to see and build a stone altar for the Lord.
- Agreement of covenant: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph and Benjamin stand on Mount Gerizim and Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali stand on Mount Ebal. The Levites read out a list of curses (disobedience of commandments) and the people responded with Amen.
- Israel will blessed in all forms, abounding in prosperity, a powerful, leader nation if they obey the Lord.
- If Israel does not obey, they will be cursed: disease, drought, taken captive by other nations, scattered among the earth.
- Covenant: establish Israelites as His chosen people after everything God did in Egypt and in the wilderness.
- If you obey the commandments you will be blessed, a good life. If you turn away from me, you will perish.
- The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
- Moses was 120 years old. “I will not go with you into Jordan, but God will go before.” Joshua will be your head.
- Moses wrote down the law and had it placed with the ark. Every 7 years during the Sabbath year, the law in its entirety was to be read aloud.
- Moses and Joshua went to the tent of meeting, where Joshua was commissioned by God to lead Israel.
- God gave Moses a song to teach Israel their history, help them to remember the details of the covenant.
- Moses climbed Mount Nebo and blessed each of the tribes and reminded them that God was their dwelling place, refuge and protector.
- On top of Mount Nebo, God showed Moses all of the land and at 120 years wold with bright eyes and vigor, Moses died.
- There was no one else that would be a prophet like Moses (knew God face to face).
Help me to remember:
that even though I may not understand all of the reasons why, I am to obey your law.
Lord, I ask that . . .
I am reminded to rely on You. You are my rock, my protector, and my dwelling place.
Heavenly Father, I am thankful for . . .
the peace and understanding that comes from resting in your arms.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
