The Genesis To Revelation Bible Course
By WILLIAM M. GROOM, Th.M., D.D.
COPYRIGHT, 1921 BY THE BIBLE STUDY PUBLISHING CO.
* KEY VERSE–De 11:26-28.
* KEY PHRASE–“BLESSINGS COME THROUGH OBEDIENCE.”
Whole of Deuteronomy or:–
* Sunday–Orders to March,–De 1:6-13.
* Monday–God’s Care,–De 1:29-40.
* Tuesday–Instruction,–De 6:6-18.
* Wednesday–Separation,–De 7:1-8.
* Thursday–God’s Requirements,–De 10:12-22.
* Friday–The Covenant,–De 30:1-10.
* Saturday–Song of Moses,–De 32:1-10.
NAME–Means Second Law or second giving of the Law. It is a summary of the whole law and wisdom of Israel, but omitting the things which relate to the priests and Levites, includes only such things as the people generally are required to know. The book might be called the Book of Review. Deuteronomy is noteworthy because it furnished our Lord with the three scriptures with which He defeated Satan in His wilderness temptation, (Mt 4:4) viz., De 8:3; 6:16; 10:20.
Author–Moses. (The last chapter relating Moses’ death is by Joshua.)
Place: The Plains of Moab. Date about 1450 B. C. Time covered in the book is about two months, including thirty days of mourning for Moses.
The first five books of the Old Testament are called the Pentateuch, meaning five hooks. They were all written 15.0Â°1450 B. C. Moses was the writer but not the author. Over five hundred times in the Pentateuch occur such expressions as “The Lord spoke,” and “God said,” etc. The divine author was the Holy Spirit.
PURPOSE–To review the journeyings of the children of Israel to a new generation of the people, to rehearse the covenant laws and to impress upon the people the blessing of obedience and the curse of disobedience.
Great Fact I. Remembrance
De 1; 2; 3.
Israel is still in the wilderness, but the forty years of wanderings are almost ended. In a month they are to cross over the Jordan. Moses realizing that he must soon die called the people together and gave them five wonderful addresses to prepare them for possessing the land.
In the first address, Moses reviews their wanderings and reminds them of God’s faithfulness in that the Lord God has been with them and that they lacked nothing, De 2:7.
In tender language he likens God to a Father and a nurse who carried His children as little ones, lest they should be hurt in the wilderness, injured by the heat or lost in the darkness. Thus to them
God was a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. In spite of their frequent faults and failures, God’s constant care embraced every need of their lives for He led, fed, clothed, kept, and brought them to their desired haven.
LESSON–No one can review the history of Israel without being impressed with this thought. How man tries God and how God bears with man.
Precious verses: De 1:11,3-31; 2:7; De 4:2.
Great Fact II. Teaching the Law
In Moses’ second address he teaches the Ten Commandments to the new generation and shows that they are the basis of right living (De 5; 6). He then impresses the duty to avoid all idolatry and the need of humbleness before God that they may not fall into the sin of self-righteousness and be destroyed as were their fathers, (De 7; 8; 9; 10; De 11). He then reminds the people that there is only one sanctuary and warns them against false prophets. Laws, as to clean animals and tithing, are given. Feasts of the Passover and the Tabernacles are emphasized because they speak of the redemption and regathering of God’s people.
The priest’s due from the people is given De 18:13. Rules as to who should go to war, inquests, divorce, social and domestic relations, and as to crimes against society are all proclaimed.
LESSON–The world could not be run without God and His laws. So long as Israel sought to keep God’s law He watched over them for good and prospered them. God’s laws are meant to keep us from harming ourselves and hurting others. Obedience to them creates moral and spiritual uprightness and gives peace, hope, and power.
3. Provide cause rejoicing. “Thou shalt rejoice before. the Lord thy God.” Active co-operation with the divine will is necessary to our soul’s salvation.
LESSON–God’s obedient people have a clear conscience, they know they are pleasing God. They enjoy what they have as the loving gifts of a father’s hand. They delight to use what they have for Him. They know that being shaped by His providence they are becoming better, wiser and holier.
Great Fact IV. The Palestine Covenant
De 29; 30.
Moses now reminds the people of the Covenant, God gave to Abraham and renewed at Sinai, that they should inherit the land. However, he warns them and foretells that disobedience would bring dispersions, but if when dispersed among the nations, they should repent, then God would gather them again. The conversion of the Jews and the restoration of their land are both guaranteed in the covenant, and judgement will be meted out to Israel’s oppressors and natural prosperity restored to Israel. All of this at our Lord’s second coming, Ac 15:16.
LESSON–Let us pray for the restoration of God’s people to their land. Watch the movements of God’s province and heed the cautions of Romans 11:12-15. The casting off of Israel has meant the reconciliation of the world, but the Gentiles must exercise humble faith or they too may be cast off.
Great Fact V. Moses’ Farewell and Benediction
De 31; 32; 33; 34.
The final words of Moses are full of tenderness and affection. He stool, a hundred and twenty years old, a witness to the grace of God. His eye was not dim not had he any marks of feebleness.
Before he goes up on Nebo’s quiet mountain to sleep in the Everlasting Arms, he encourages the people to trust in the Lord and assured them of triumph, for “He it is who doth go with thee, He will not leave thee nor forsake thee.” Joshua is called and Israel is told that he should bring them into the land. Moses then utters a great song which is full of prophecy. He tells of the future failures of Israel, also of their future glories.
He then pronounces sacred and precious blessings upon the tribes.
Read the golden verses, De 31:2; 32:10; De 33:3,12,25-27; Deuteronomy 34:10.
LESSON–Moses is one of the supremely great men of the world whose lives will inspire us to find salvation in the sacrifice God provided, to be Holy as God is Holy, and to let all love issue in obedience.