04/15/2025 – Day 289 – Deuteronomy – Chapters 1 through 3 / 11 week Tuesday Deuteronomy study that will take us to the end of our one year read and study through the Bible.
First, I have chosen the “Catholic Study Bible – New American Bible” for a summary of the Book of Deuteronomy. It stands out in my opinion amongst: “The Apologetics Study Bible”; “The Evidence Bible – NKJV”; and “Halley’s Bible Handbook”. Let’s get started:
“The fifth and last book of the Pentateuch is called Deuteronomy , meaning ‘second law.’ In reality, what it contains is not a new law but a partial repetition, completion and explanation of the law proclaimed on Mount Sinai. The historical portions of the book are also a resume of what is related elsewhere in the Pentateuch. The chief characteristic of this book is its vigorous oratorical style. In a series of eloquent discourses Moses presents the theme of covenant renewal in a vital religious framework. He exhorts, corrects and threatens his people, appealing to their past glory, their historic mission and the promise of future triumph. His aim is to enforce among the Israelites the Lord’s claim to their obedience, loyalty and love. The events contained in the Book of Deuteronomy took place in the plains of Moab (Deuteronomy 1,3) and the crossing of the Jordan River (Joshua 4:19), a period of no more than 40 days. The Book of Deuteronomy, written after the Israelites had for centuries been resident in the Land of Promise, takes the form of a testament of Moses, the great leader and legislator, to his people on the eve of his death. At the time of our Lord’s coming, it shared with the Psalms a preeminent religious influence among the Old Testament books. The Savior quotes passages of Deuteronomy in overcoming the threefold temptation of Satan in the desert (Matthew 4; Deut. 6,13.; Ch 16:8; Ch 3: 10,20) and in explaining to the lawyer the first and greatest commandment (Matthew 22: 35-39; Deut. 6:4).
The book is divided as follows:
I. Historical Review and Exhortation (Dt 1: 1-4, 43).
II. God and His Covenant (Dt. 4:44 – 11:32).
III. Exposition of the Law (Dt. 27, Dt. Ch 1 – 34, Dt. Ch 12).
________________________________________________
The verse commentary is from the Apologetics Study Bible:
“1:5. Deuteronomy is in the form of a sermon by Moses, a sort of ‘farewell address,’ in which he undertakes to ‘explain the law’ to the people who, under different leadership, will be occupying the promised land. It harks back, of course, to the laws given at Sinai generation earlier but differs from them in that — as might be expected when ‘preaching’ the law — Moses frequently inserts a reminder of the proper motivation for keeping the Lord’s instructions.”
_____________________
“1:10. “As the stars of the sky” is not to be taken literally but as hyperbole, an exaggerated comparison. This literary device emphasizes the amazing blessing of God upon the people of Israel. It anticipates the fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham. (Genesis 15:5; 22:17)”
______________________
“1:37. God’s severe treatment of Moses for what seems a minor incident (cp. Numbers 20:12) does not expose Him to a charge of unfairness or of capricious administration of His judgment. Moses was the most privileged of men. As such he bore the greater responsibility for his sin of failed leadership. His punishment was in direct proportion to what God had rightfully expected out of him.”
_________________________
“2:21 God’s destruction of various peoples was neither capricious nor without purpose. As an all-knowing One, He knew the various Canaanite and other neighboring peoples to be beyond repentance (2:30).
___________________________
“2:34. The complete destruction of men, women, and children underscores the idea of corporate solidarity. All members of a community, or even of a family, are blessed or judged together (Numbers 16: 1-35; Joshua 7: 22-26). Yet, within that framework, each individual is ultimately responsible to God for his or her own destiny ( Jeremiah 31: 29-30; Ezekiel 18: 2,4). Moreover, were these nations to survive, Israel would be drawn away into idolatry.”
____________________________
“3:28. The Lord’s refusal to permit Moses to enter the land of promise was not pettiness on His part nor had Moses committed an unpardonable sin. Rather, his punishment was severe because he had dishonored the Lord in the presence of the people (Numbers 20:12). The principle is that to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). In any event, Moese did appear inn the promised land in the company of the transfigured Jesus (Matthew 17:3).”
______________________________
Soli Deo Gloria!
Questions for fellowship generation, the lifelong sanctification process:
- What does the text reveal about God’s character?
- How has this reading generated prayer for you and/or us?
- What themes stand out to you in this bible study?
- How does our reading fit into the bigger picture (creation, the fall, restoration, etc.)?
- What verse(s) jumped out at you like never before? Is it explainable at this point?
- Do you have any questions you would like to put before the group as to how to interpret any particular verse(s) in our reading. Let scripture testify to scripture: Share with us where you sense contradiction between passages elsewhere.
- What did you find convicting and inspiring at the same time? Share with us how the Spirit of God is working within you as a messenger, both within and outside of our fellowship group.
- Share with the group how our study is calling or confirming to you a new mission to glorify God in our times.