Deuteronomy 5-7
What I Noticed Today (Deuteronomy 5-7)
Deuteronomy 4:44-5:33 contains the beginning of Moses' second speech to the Israelites regarding their covenant obligations to the Lord. Its form is typical of suzerain treaties of the time. This section, which lays the historical foundation, is followed by chapters 6-11 in which the Israelites are called to total allegiance to the Lord. Moses continues in chapters 12-26:15 with a detailed exposition of the Law. Moses’ speech concludes in 26:16-19 with a short declaration of commitment by the Israelites to the Lord.
Note: Suzerain treaties were between a king and a vassal or subject. They begin with historical precedent (prologue) followed by the obligations of the vassals to the king. The obligations portion was typically divided into two sections: an exhortation to complete allegiance to the king, and the specific obligations of the vassals.
Deuteronomy 5
Deuteronomy 5 is Moses’ speech to the entire nation.
In verses 1-5, Moses tells them that they are to hear, learn, and do each of God’s statutes.
Note: The Hebrew words carry a very strong emphasis. The word for “hear” means to listen intently. It is listening that leads to obedience. The word for “learn” means to lay ahold of or to memorize. And the word for “do” means to obey in the broadest, fullest sense possible.
In verses 6-21, Moses goes on to restate the Ten Commandments. The first four have to do with our relationship with God, and the next six are regarding our relationship with each other.
In verses 22-33, the Lord spoke these commands on the mountain and gave them to Moses written on two stone tablets.
- The people were afraid they would die if they came to close to the fire of the Lord and asked Moses to be their mediator; to listen to everything God says and then tell them. They promised to listen and obey.
- The Lord heard the people’s request for Moses to be a mediator but suggested they would not fear God and keep His commandments.
- The Lord told Moses to tell the people to return to their tents, and He would give Moses all the commands, statutes, and ordinances for the Israelites to obey as they went into the Promised Land.
- They were to be careful to obey all the Law so they would prosper and have a long life in the Promised Land.
Deuteronomy 6
Deuteronomy 6-11 contains all the commands of the Lord. They are summarized in the single command (Deuteronomy 6:5) to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your might.”
In verses 1-3, Moses exhorts the people to obey all of the Law so they will prosper and multiply as God promised.
In verses 6:4-9, we see that there is no separation between secular and sacred. God expects us to keep his commands at all times, in all ways. We are to diligently teach our children about God.
In verses 10-19, Moses warns the people not to forget the Lord when they become prosperous:
- The Lord was about to give the Promised Land to the Israelites, and they would live in cities they did not build and enjoy the fruit of vineyards they did not plant.
- Moses warned them not to forget God amid this prosperity.
- Moses said the Lord is a jealous God who would become angry and wipe them out of the land if they failed to observe His commands, statutes, and ordinances.
- Righteousness would be theirs if they remained faithful to the Lord’s commands.
Deuteronomy 7
Deuteronomy 7 states once again that the Israelites are God’s chosen people.
In verses 1-5, Moses instructs the Israelites that the Lord would drive out the inhabitants of the land He was giving them. The seven nations to be driven out of the Promised Land included the: Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites).
- When the Lord delivers these people over to you, you are to destroy them completely.
- Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy.
- Do not intermarry with them or they will turn you away from God to worship other gods.
- If you do, the Lord’s anger will burn against you and He will destroy you.
In verses 6-11, the Lord chose the Israelites sovereignly, and they belong to Him. They are His treasured possession! He loves them, and because He loves them, He has promised to redeem them from slavery and bring them into the Promised Land. God is faithful to fulfill His promises. He is a jealous God who will punish those who rebel against Him.
In verses 12-16, the result that stems from the Lord’s covenantal promise is that if they keep His statutes and do them, He will multiply them and bless their crops, wine, oil, and herds when He brings them into the Promised Land.
In verses 17-26, the Lord reminds the people, He will go before them and make their enemies’ fear the Israelites. The Lord would cause them to panic and in their confusion would be helpless in a battle against the Israelites.
- God does not give them the Promised Land all at once (Numbers 7:22). Rather, He will give it to them little by little as they can handle it.
- They must burn up the carved images of their gods, and must not covet the gold and silver images, or they will be ensnared by them.
- You must not bring anything abhorrent into your houses, or you will be set apart for destruction.
Some additional thoughts for consideration:
- God will certainly fulfill His promises, but only when we demonstrate our love for Him by our faithfulness! We have the power of the Holy Spirit within us, yet we still rebel against God. Often we are in a hurry to claim God's promises, but He grants them to us little by little as we demonstrate that we're ready for the next step.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
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Tomorrow: Deuteronomy 8-10