Deuteronomy
First impression: finding the context
First impression: finding the context
What do you see in this
book that tells you about the original reader?
Moses is speaking to the "new" generation, which means they are young. We know that some of them were young slaves in Egypt., but they have been walking for most of their lives. And right now, they are about to come into the promise land, so they need some context.
Other than that, they are very similar to the description of their ancestors. They are divided into tribes and they are ready to take possession of the promised land. For the most part, they listen and obeyed their leaders and ultimately God. (Deut. 34:9)
Moses is speaking to the "new" generation, which means they are young. We know that some of them were young slaves in Egypt., but they have been walking for most of their lives. And right now, they are about to come into the promise land, so they need some context.
Other than that, they are very similar to the description of their ancestors. They are divided into tribes and they are ready to take possession of the promised land. For the most part, they listen and obeyed their leaders and ultimately God. (Deut. 34:9)
What do you see in this
book that tells you about the author?
Moses keeps going, he's a trooper. And he really wanted to make it to the promise land. However, he disobeyed God and He told him back in Numbers (20:12) that he was not going to be able to get to the promise land. And Moses dies in Moab (Deut. 34:5), so close to the promise land. And even when Moses knew that he was not going to make it to his dreamed land, he kept his quality level up and led the people of Israel, the people of God right to the gates of the completion of the promise, and he even asked God to appoint a new leader to continue guiding his beloved brothers and sisters. A real trooper.
Moses keeps going, he's a trooper. And he really wanted to make it to the promise land. However, he disobeyed God and He told him back in Numbers (20:12) that he was not going to be able to get to the promise land. And Moses dies in Moab (Deut. 34:5), so close to the promise land. And even when Moses knew that he was not going to make it to his dreamed land, he kept his quality level up and led the people of Israel, the people of God right to the gates of the completion of the promise, and he even asked God to appoint a new leader to continue guiding his beloved brothers and sisters. A real trooper.
What are the main
themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of
the “main idea”?
The main idea is compressed in Chapter 28:
The first part talks about how Obedience = blessings; and the second part of the chapter clearly states the opposite: Disobedience = curses.
Throughout the whole book we get reminded of all the times when people disobeyed and were punished, and we also see that people who listened to God, obeyed and followed Him with no question were blessed beyond their understanding. That gives me hope.
Throughout the whole book we get reminded of all the times when people disobeyed and were punished, and we also see that people who listened to God, obeyed and followed Him with no question were blessed beyond their understanding. That gives me hope.
What is the primary
reason this book was written?
Moses is speaking to the new generation of Israelites so they know what has happened before their time. (Deuteronomy 31:9) They have seen the miraculous act of God and Moses is reminding them of the covenants they have with the Lord. Moses is also telling them about the laws that God has given them, both social (recognized with the conditional statement “if…then…”) and ceremonial (Priesthood, festival, sacrificial system)
Moses is speaking to the new generation of Israelites so they know what has happened before their time. (Deuteronomy 31:9) They have seen the miraculous act of God and Moses is reminding them of the covenants they have with the Lord. Moses is also telling them about the laws that God has given them, both social (recognized with the conditional statement “if…then…”) and ceremonial (Priesthood, festival, sacrificial system)
Theme tracing
What does this book show
about the character and nature of God?
God has helped Israel in their battles and Moses keeps reminding people of that when he says "...God will fight for you." (Deut. 3:22)
He is faithful because He got people out of Egypt and fulfilled the promise He made to their ancestors, some centuries ago. (Deut. 6:23)
God "...is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations..." (Deut. 7:9)
God has helped Israel in their battles and Moses keeps reminding people of that when he says "...God will fight for you." (Deut. 3:22)
He is faithful because He got people out of Egypt and fulfilled the promise He made to their ancestors, some centuries ago. (Deut. 6:23)
God "...is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations..." (Deut. 7:9)
What does this book show
about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?
God's redemptive plan for the Israelites is tied to their promise land. Moses reminds people that even if they are scattered all around the world, He [God] will bring them back to the land of their ancestors and then prosper them way more! (Deut. 30:4,5)
God's redemptive plan for the Israelites is tied to their promise land. Moses reminds people that even if they are scattered all around the world, He [God] will bring them back to the land of their ancestors and then prosper them way more! (Deut. 30:4,5)
Personal application
Is there a timeless
truth, or maybe a specific verse, or perhaps the main idea of the book you are
studying that is challenging you in your life?
I feel that the way Moses keeps going even when he knows that he won't make it into the promise land is a challenge to me. If I put myself in his place, I think I would be very upset and probably will ask God to kill me right there because I don't want to live anymore if I'm not receiving what was promised to me. But, Moses is different than me... so he continued, business as usual, and took the people to where they needed to be. I'm pretty sure God will reward him for that.
I feel that the way Moses keeps going even when he knows that he won't make it into the promise land is a challenge to me. If I put myself in his place, I think I would be very upset and probably will ask God to kill me right there because I don't want to live anymore if I'm not receiving what was promised to me. But, Moses is different than me... so he continued, business as usual, and took the people to where they needed to be. I'm pretty sure God will reward him for that.
What area of your life
is God encouraging you, convincing you or empowering you in through this book?
This book made me thinking a lot about my family history and how things have been far from perfect. But it gives me a new perspective on how God can make it right in the end. So, I feel very hopeful about our future as a family. I hope life had been a little easier on us, but it really made us who we are and brought us to where we are. I just need to trust God's plan and wait on Him.
This book made me thinking a lot about my family history and how things have been far from perfect. But it gives me a new perspective on how God can make it right in the end. So, I feel very hopeful about our future as a family. I hope life had been a little easier on us, but it really made us who we are and brought us to where we are. I just need to trust God's plan and wait on Him.
Point of passion
Whether it is a people
group or a sphere of society, God’s word can speak into all areas of life.
Share in a paragraph or two how the message of this book, or a truth from this
book relates to your point of passion,
and how your ministry to this area can use the message from this book to share
Christ in your passion.
In Deuteronomy, it talks about the poor, but it says that "there should be no poor among you..." (Deut. 15:4), because God will bless you so much that you can bless them too. I feel that's a big call for all people, because if we all gave a little bit of our little wealth, the poor would be better off. However, I do believe that sometimes giving hurts. So, I feel like in other instances in the first few books of the Bible, this implies that the poor will work to get back on their feet. So, is not like nurturing the irresponsibility of poor management, it's working along side to solve it once and for all!
Yesterday, we helped with some homeless feeding in town, and I can't help but to wonder how much good are we doing by feeding the homeless and the poor for free... but that's probably for another post. I hope the ministry we start helps people get back on their feet so that they can help others get back on their feet because "there should be no poor among..." us anymore.
In Deuteronomy, it talks about the poor, but it says that "there should be no poor among you..." (Deut. 15:4), because God will bless you so much that you can bless them too. I feel that's a big call for all people, because if we all gave a little bit of our little wealth, the poor would be better off. However, I do believe that sometimes giving hurts. So, I feel like in other instances in the first few books of the Bible, this implies that the poor will work to get back on their feet. So, is not like nurturing the irresponsibility of poor management, it's working along side to solve it once and for all!
Yesterday, we helped with some homeless feeding in town, and I can't help but to wonder how much good are we doing by feeding the homeless and the poor for free... but that's probably for another post. I hope the ministry we start helps people get back on their feet so that they can help others get back on their feet because "there should be no poor among..." us anymore.
I love your translate button!! Haha. I really liked what you said about family and how we just need to trust God even when it hasn't been so great before. I didn't see that in this book before, thanks!
ReplyDeleteBaie dankie Estee! I really like the idea of the translation button! It works most of the time... ;) Thanks for your comment on the family... I never saw it that way either, it's a new revelation!
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