Deuteronomy 11-13

What I Noticed Today (Deuteronomy 11-13)

Deuteronomy 11

Five times in the first seven verses of Deuteronomy 11 Moses reminded the people of Israel what God did for them.

• Moses used two examples of God’s judgment. The first example is external, what God did to Egypt. The second example is internal; what God did to protect Israel from internal rebellion against God.
• Moses stressed the importance of learning from the past. The parents must set an example for their children and teach them since the children had not experienced these events themselves.

In verses 8-21, what God asks in return is that the people obey Him:

• The result of obeying God is His promise to provide for them and protect them.
• At the same time, they are warned that if they are deceived by anyone and they fall away from God, the result will be God’s anger and judgment.
• Because of their tendency to forget, they are also warned about the importance of teaching the children, their future generations, to surround themselves with God’s truth!

In verses 22-32, the Lord promises if the people follow His commands and walk in His ways that He will drive out all their enemies and no one will be able to stand against them.

• These instructions contain both a promised blessing and a curse if they obey God a blessing if they reject God, a curse.
• When they enter the Promised Land, they are to proclaim a blessing from Mount Gerizim, and a curse from Mount Ebal.
• When they cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land to take possession of it, they are to be careful to follow all of the statutes and ordinances that were given to them by the Lord.

Deuteronomy 12

Deuteronomy 12 opens with a repeated instruction for the people to obey all the commands of the Lord when they enter the Promised Land.

In verses 2-14, the Lord commands the Israelites to cleanse the Promised land of foreign idols, and establish places of worship:

• God’s first instruction to the people when they enter the Promised Land is to cleanse the land of idols, altars, and other elements of idol worship.
• Once this is done, they are to select appropriate places to bring their offering and worship God.
• The Lord will choose the place in the Promised Land where they are to bring their burnt offerings, sacrifices, vows, and personal contributions. They must bring their offerings only to the place the Lord chooses.

In verses 15-28, Moses provides the Lord’s instructions regarding what may be eaten:

• Wild animals whether the person is clean or unclean may be slaughtered and eaten, but they must not eat the blood.
• They may not eat inside the city gates the first tenth of the grain, the olive oil, the wine, or the first-born of the animals. These must be eaten in the presence of the Lord in the place He chooses.

In verses 29-32, Moses warns against following the pagan practices of the people living in the land:

• When you enter the Promised Land be careful not to be ensnared by the evil practices of the people living the land. Do not ask about their practices. They are evil.
• Be careful to follow the practices commanded by the Lord. Do not add anything to it, or take anything away from it.

Deuteronomy 13

Deuteronomy 13, is yet another warning to the people to avoid false prophets and idolatry.

In verses 1-5 the warning is to beware a prophet or someone who tells them to follow after other gods:

• A prophet or someone who has dreams who attempts to pull the people into worshipping other gods must be destroyed. Rebellion against God cannot be tolerated. In order to maintain their purity, the evil must be purged.

In verses 6-11, the warning is to not tolerate idol worship:

• This warning is extended to family members and close friends. Anyone who entices you to go and worship foreign gods, you must not show mercy or pity. You must kill him by stoning. All Israel will hear and be afraid, and they will no longer do this kind of evil.

In verses 12-18, the warning against idolatry applies to cities as well:

• In case a city becomes corrupt, you are to inquire, investigate, and interrogate thoroughly. If it is true, you are to destroy the entire city, tear it down, burn it, and never rebuild.

Some thoughts for further consideration:

• We have such a tendency to forget God’s commands. We forget that He expects us to obey Him. Instead of remembering and rejoicing in all that God has done for us, and despite all the warnings we have a tendency to march straight into sin and rebellion.

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

Tomorrow: Deuteronomy 14-16