Day 1 Deuteronomy 16-19
Day 2 Deuteronomy 20-23
Day 3 Deuteronomy 24-27
Day 4 Deuteronomy 28-30
Day 5 Deuteronomy 31-34
Day 6 Joshua 1-2; Psalm 105
Moses Appoints Joshua
Here are the patterns in Deuteronomy that we discussed today. Have a look!
First it is set up in a concentric format. You can read each of these pairs as a continuous section. The purpose of this literary structure, which is called CHIASTIC, is to emphasize the center:
A. Looking backward – Chs 1 -3 A’. Looking forward – Chs 31 – 34
B. Great Exhortation – Chs 4 – 11 B’. Covenant Ceremony – Chs 27 – 30
C. The Central Core – the stipulations of the Covenant Chs 12 - 26
Another feature of Deuteronomy is that it takes on the form of a Suzerainty Covenant, which is a common form of contract in the Near East at that time. The Suzerainty Covenant, in other cultures, was a contract between a suzerain and a vassal – basically between a more powerful and less powerful group. The people of Israel would have been familiar with this format and would have recognized its pattern in Deuteronomy.
- Preamble – An introduction 1:1–5
- Historical Prologue – A review of how they arrived at the situation 1:6–4:49
- General Stipulations – Broader rules 5:1–11:32
- Specific Stipulations – Specific Rules 12:1–26:19
- Blessings and Curses – What happens if you obey/disobey 27:1–28:68
- Document Clause – How the contract will be reviewed 31:9–29
- Witnesses 32:1–47
A lot of Deuteronomy emphasizes the need for God's people to focus on and obey his commandments, not just to know them, but to live them. Everyone has an area of their life where they could improve their obedience to God. What is yours? Anger? Lack of forgiveness? Selfishness? Greed? Not reacting when the Holy Spirit is urging you to do something?
ReplyDeleteDeuteronomy 25:4 says that, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." Later, in I Corinthians 9, Paul uses this verse, which was literal in Deuteronomy (it really did concern oxen) and used it as a wonderful analogy for what is due those who dedicate themselves to sharing the Gospel: [9] For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? [10] Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. [11] If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? [12] If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more?
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.
Hi Gary,
ReplyDeleteNice job breaking down Deuteronomy. 1 Corinthians 9 was a terrific citing as you brought Paul's analogy into the picture about the oxen. If you read the rest of 1 Corinthians from 13 to 18, it gives us Christians orders of our own. Preach the gospel, but preach it voluntarily, not just because it is Jesus' Great Commission. If we preach only to satisfy an order of God, we are spreading the Gospel for the wrong reason.
Many Christians and historians falsely think Moses had to make the second set of the Ten Commandments, but that is not true. He had to chisel out the tablets, but God physically wrote on the again. Then those are the ones that were put into Ark of the Covenant.
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ReplyDeleteUtter love. That's all God seems to have for us ignorant souls! He tells Moses he cannot go into the Promised Land, but also let's Moses know that although the Israelites will still be His special people, He already knew they would worship gods of the nations they live amongst. What a loving God through all He knew the Jews would do - that they would forsake Him AGAIN!
ReplyDeleteAfter that, he gives Joshua the orders to take the Israelites into the Promised Land. Wouldn't you think Moses would feel he did all this for nothing? And what about Joshua know full well that even though he will lead the Jews into the Promised Land, they will eventually stray. Makes one feel like all if futile, doesn't it?
Deuteronomy 34:7 is an interesting verse. It shows how much God loved Moses and kept him vibrant. It says that Moses' eyes were never dimmed and that he had all his faculties right up to the moment of his death. Wow! How many seniors can boast of that?
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love who the Lord uses to work his plan? The two spies are saved by Rahab and they spare her and her family later on when war begins.
ReplyDeleteI just love the Lord so much because of the way He uses me. I do not deserve such love. I may not be a "harlot", but I am a sinner nevertheless! I will keep striving to do things for His glory no matter what the obstacles or the frustration.
Can't wait to read these next books. Love the testosterone, baby!!