Questions

Scriptural Reflection
Deuteronomy 30:1–14

This week, we shall conclude the study of the Book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament.

30:1-10—A Concluding Charge — Exile Foretold—In a very pragmatic fashion, Moses speaks to a future generation that survives the judgment of exile:

(1) Having reiterated a good part of the commandments which the Lord has already set for His people with the hope that they would take them to heart, what does Moses expect to see happen with the words, “whenever the Lord your God disperses you among the nations” (v. 1)

(2) What then is the purpose of giving them these commandments if Moses has already foreseen their disobedience? (vv. 2-3)

(3) According to history, what has happened to the nation of Israel? Will they have any hope? (vv. 4-5)

(4) What is the basis of this promised restoration? (vv. 6, 10)

(5) How will this come to pass? (Zech. 12:10ff; Rom. 11:25ff)

(6) Has this happened to Israel yet?

(7) When this actually happens, what are the promises they can count on? (vv. 6-9)

30:11-14—A Concluding Charge—Not Hard to Observe —The Apostle Paul applies this passage to explain righteousness through faith in Christ.

(8) What is Moses’ emphasis when he refers to the command that he is giving, as not being up in heaven nor beyond the sea?

(9) To emphasize that “the word is very near you”:

a. What might “in your mouth” mean?

b. What might “in your heart” mean?

(10) Read Romans 10:1-11 carefully, paying attention to Paul’s explanation of the meanings of “heaven”, “deep”, “mouth” and “heart”. According to Paul, how would you answer the following questions?

a. Who has been brought down from heaven to right where we are? (Rom. 10:6)

b. Who has been brought up from the deep (Paul’s adaption of the sea)? (Rom. 10:7)

c. How then should we treat the word (Christ) with our mouth and with our heart? (Rom. 10:9)

d. Is this an exercise of “work” or of “faith”?

e. What will the exercise of our faith in the word (Christ) lead to? (Rom. 10:10)

(11) Of course, the people in Moses’ day would not have any knowledge of Christ. Should they be able to obey the words commanded by Moses? Why or why not?

(12) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Deuteronomy 30:15–31:8

30:15-20—A Concluding Charge—A Choice of Life or Death

(1) Moses solemnly calls the people to make a choice before the Law. Consider the following:

a. Is it a choice of a better life? (v. 15)

b. Why or why not?

(2) While the blessings appear to be of this life, especially within the context of the entrance into the Promised Land (v. 16), how  would you answer the following?

a. What does this life or death ultimately point to? (Jn. 3:16)

b. How does Moses sum up God’s requirement for them as he sets the “Law of Moses” before them? (v. 16a)

(3) Just as he set before them blessings and curses earlier, Moses now again reminds them of the curses (vv. 17-18).

a. How does he sum up the curses? (v. 18)

b. What does Moses warn them about as the factors (or reasons) that will cause them not to love the Lord and obey His commands? (v. 17)

(4) Why does Moses call upon the heavens and the earth as witnesses between God and His people? (v. 19) What does it mean?

(5) In urging them to choose life, what powerful reasons does Moses use? (vv. 19b-20)

(6) Given the reasons stated by Moses, how privileged should the people consider themselves?

(7) What is meant by, “For the Lord is your life”?

(8) If you were the people of Israel, what would you choose? Why?

(9) What did they choose subsequently? Why?

31:1-8—Moses’ Farewell (I)—Appointing Joshua as Successor

(10) In talking about not being able to lead the people into the Promised Land, what did Moses say concerning the following?

a. What he cited before as the reason. (3:26)

b. What he now gives as the reason. (v. 2)

(11) In encouraging the people under Joshua’s leadership, Moses gives assurances:

a. What does Moses assure them of God’s role in their journey? (vv. 3, 8)

b. What proof does Moses cite for their assured success? (v. 4)

c. Why does Moses have to repeat so many times that they (the people and Joshua) should be strong and courageous and not be afraid and terrified? (vv. 6, 7, 8)

d. Twice Moses assures them the God “will never leave you nor forsake you” (vv. 6, 8)

1. What should it mean to them?
2. What does it mean to you today?

(12) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Deuteronomy 31:9–30

31:9-13—Moses’ Farewell (II)—Mandated Annual Public Reading of the Law

(1) When will the law given by Moses be read yearly? (v. 10)

(2) To whom will the law be read? (v. 12)

(3) What is the purpose for this mandate? (v. 13)

(4) How might we emulate this practice today?

31:14-29—Moses’ Farewell (III)—Commissioning of Joshua

(5) How does the Lord affirm Joshua’s leadership? (v. 15)

(6) At this commissioning, the Lord foretells the failures and sins of the people: Why? (vv. 16-18)

(7) If you were Moses, how would you feel knowing that the people would rebel even more so after your death?

(8) What does the Lord ask him to do as a result? (vv. 19-22)

(9) Since God knew that what they were disposed to do even before He brought them into the land He promised them on oath, why then would He deliver them and give them the Promised Land? (v. 21)

(10) What kind of love is it?

(11) What might this foretelling mean to the would-be leader, Joshua?

(12) What command does the Lord give to Joshua as a result? (v. 23)

(13) The written book of the Law:

a. Where will it be placed? (v. 26)

b. Why does Moses say that this book of the law “will remain as a witness against” the people?

(14) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Deuteronomy 32:1–26

Moses’ Farewell (IV)—The Song of Moses (Part 1)

(1) What is the purpose of the song that the Lord asks Moses to write? (31:19)

(2) The introduction (vv. 2-4)

a. While Moses called on the heavens and the earth to be witnesses against the people earlier (30:19), he now expresses his desires before them that his words would be like rain or dew that falls on “new grass” and “tender plants” (v. 2). What does he mean by that?

b. Although the song is meant to be a witness for the Lord against the people (31:19), Moses still opens with words of adoration and praise:

1. What is the ultimate purpose of his song? (v. 3)
2. What is the one analogy (or image) he uses to portray the Lord in this song? (v. 4) What does this image portray?
3. In describing the Lord as “the Rock”, what attributes of the Lord does Moses speak of? (v. 4)

(3) The disposition of the people (vv. 5-6; see 31:21)—In this song, Moses is inspired by the Lord not only to foretell their rebellion but to point out who they have always been:

a. Who are the people in essence? (v. 5)

b. Who is God to them? (v .6b)

c. How should they have repaid Him as their Father and Creator?

d. How do they treat God instead?

(4) A call to remember their past (vv. 7-26)

a. Chosen among the nations (vv. 7-9) — To the nations God is called “the Most High”, but to Israel (Jacob) He is called “the Lord”: What does that mean? (v.9)

b. From barrenness to abundance (vv. 10-14) — This does not appear to refer solely to the desert where God led them in the past 40 years, but rather, it refers to the entire history of Israel leading up to the present beginning with His “finding” of Jacob in this plight and changing his name to Israel. Consider the following, within these verses:

1. What was Jacob’s condition when found by God? (v. 10)
2. What has he (now called Israel) become (or will become in the future)? (vv. 13-14)
3. What images does Moses use of God in His shielding and guarding of Israel? (vv.10-11)
4. What marked this period of their history? (v. 12)

c. From abundance to apostasy (vv. 15-18)—“Jeshurun” means “the upright one” (i.e. Israel)

i. What image does Moses use to describe why they would abandon God in the future? (v. 15)

ii. What is the sin highlighted in this song? (vv. 16-17)

iii. How does this betrayal prove who they are as described in v. 5?

d. Rejection by a jealous God (vv. 19-22)

1. God’s reaction to the sin of Israel is described as one of jealousy and anger: How does God justify such a reaction? (vv. 19-21a)
2. How will He repay them? (vv. 21b-22)

e. God’s Judgment (vv. 23-26)

1. What calamities and “arrows” will God use to punish His people? (vv. 23-24)
2. The main means of punishment appears to be “the sword” (vv. 25-26): How utter will their destruction be, as families and as a nation?

(5) What impact will this song have on the people as Moses teaches them to sing as part of his farewell?

(6) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Deuteronomy 32:27–52

32:27-47—Moses’ Farewell (IV)—The Song of Moses (Part 2)

(1) God and the nation He uses to punish Israel (vv. 27-33)

a. Although God will raise up a certain nation as Israel’s enemy, what does He dread about this nation? (v. 27)

b. What is this nation ignorant of? (vv. 28-30)

c. What should this nation know about their rock (the gods they trust) and the Rock of Israel? (v. 31)

d. Vines, grapes and wine likely point to the fruit of the enemy (vv. 32-33): As prosperous as they might be, what is their origin? What then is the implication?

(2) God’s vengeance and vindication (vv. 34-42)

a. When will God take His revenge on Israel’s enemy? (vv. 34-35)

b. The time of God’s vengeance is also the time for Israel’s vindication (vv. 36-38):

1. What does the Lord call Israel? (v. 36a)
2. What will His punishment reduce His people to? (v. 36b)
3. How will the Lord mock at their gods at that time? (vv. 37-38)

c. What will Israel and the nations come to realize or see as to who God is? (v. 39)

d. What will happen to God’s enemies? (vv. 40-42)

(3) The end of the song (v. 43)

a. Why does Moses call not only Israel, but the nations to rejoice?

b. In giving the reasons for all to rejoice, what aspects of God's character does Moses depict in v. 43?

(4) Moses’ final word of exhortation (vv. 44-47)

a. What is the core message of his final word? (v. 47)

b. What should this song mean to the people of Israel today?

32:48-52—Moses is Ordered to Ascend Mount Nebo to Die

(5) What is the reason reiterated here for not allowing Moses and Aaron to enter the Promised Land? (v. 51; Num. 20:7-13)

(6) What lesson might we learn from this “punishment”?

(7) While Aaron died in Mount Hor (near Edom), Moses is allowed to die in Mount Nebo: What is the significant difference between the two places? (v. 52)

(8) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Deuteronomy 33:1–22

Moses’ Farewell (V)—Blessings on Each Tribe (1)—We should note that these blessings differ from the ones pronounced by Jacob in that they presumably are meant for the more immediate future of occupying the Promised Land (with Simeon not being mentioned). We shall consider each in light of the earlier blessings by Jacob in Genesis 49:

(1) The introduction to the blessings (vv. 2-5)

a. What significant event is being highlighted by Moses in terms of God's history, where He reveals Himself to Israel? (v. 2)

b. What is being emphasized in this epiphany? (v. 2)

c. What does this epiphany show? (v. 3)

d. What does the giving of the “Law of Moses” mean to the nation of Israel? (vv. 4-5)

e. Because of this introduction, what additional information might we have about the setting of the giving of the law in Sinai? (see Acts 7:53; Gal. 3:19; Heb. 2:2)

(2) The blessing of Reuben (v. 6)

a. Who was Reuben? (Gen. 49:3-4)

b. Though he lost his birthright to Judah, what blessing does he receive from Moses?

(3) The blessing of Judah (v. 7)

a. What role had Judah assumed? (Gen. 49:10)

b. How does this blessing of Moses relate to his role?

(4) The blessing of Levi (vv. 8-11)

a. What role has Levi assumed since the time of Jacob? (v. 8; Exod. 28:29-30)

b. In all the testing of the Lord by Israel (with Massah and Meribah simply cited as examples), what have the Levites demonstrated to the Lord? (v. 9; see the incident in Exod. 32:26-29)

c. What are their three main responsibilities highlighted by this blessing? (vv. 8, 10)

d. How does this blessing of Moses relate to their responsibilities? (v. 11)

(5) The blessing of Benjamin (v. 12)

a. What was the emphasis in the blessing by Jacob? (Gen. 49:27)

b. How different is this blessing by Moses, as much as Benjamin still “played a prominent part in the war against the Canaanite armies” (NICOT, 397)? Why?

(6) The blessing of Joseph (vv. 13-17)

a. How similar is this blessing (especially in vv. 13-16) to that pronounced by Jacob? (Gen. 49:22-26)

b. How relevant is Moses’ blessing in v.17, as they enter into the Promised Land, with the tribes of Joseph’s two sons taking over the name of their father (note that Joseph is not mentioned as a tribe later on in Israel’s history)?

(7) The blessings of Zebulun and Issachar (vv. 18-19)

a. What were the original blessings by Jacob on the two tribes? (Gen. 49:13-14)

b. Apart from prosperity and peace, what does Moses bless them with in terms of their role in the worship of the Lord?

(8) The blessing of Gad (vv. 20-21)

a. What was the emphasis in the blessing by Jacob? (Gen. 49:19)

b. But now, Gad has already “chosen” the best land east of Jordan (3:12ff), but they have agreed to fight for and with their brothers: How does the latter part of the blessings relate to their role among the tribes? (see the fulfillment of their responsibilities in Jos. 22:1-6)

(9) The blessing of Dan (v. 22)

a. When compared to the blessings by Jacob (Gen. 49:17), how similar is this blessing?

b. In what way is it different?

(10) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Scriptural Reflection
Deuteronomy 33:22–34:12

33:22-29—Moses’ Farewell (IV)—Blessings on Each Tribe (2)

(1) The blessing of Naphtali (v. 23)

a. What was the original emphasis of Jacob’s blessing? (Gen. 49:21)

b. What additional blessing is being pronounced by Moses?

(2) The blessing of Asher (vv. 24-25)

a. What was the original emphasis of Jacob’s blessing? (Gen. 49:20)

b. The name of Asher means “happy one, blessed”: In what ways does Moses say they will be blessed?

c. Some years ago, upon reading the blessing given by Moses on Asher, someone decided to spend money drilling for oil in the land of Asher: Do you think it is the proper way to understand Moses blessings? Why or why not? (Note: Oil, in the OT always refers to olive oil, understandably, or as an image of an overflow of blessings.)

(3) Conclusion of blessings (vv. 26-29)—as Israel is about to enter the Promised Land

a. What should they know about their God?

b. How can they be sure of victory over their enemies and that they will dwell in safety and abundance?

c. How blessed are the people of Israel? (v. 29)

34:1-12—The Death of Moses

(4) As much as Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land, he was given the opportunity to behold the land before his death, and God Himself showed it to him.  What might this have meant to Moses? (vv. 1-4)

(5) Who was the one who buried Moses? (v. 6)

(6) Why does the editor of Deuteronomy mention that “but to this day no one knows where his grave is”? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? (v. 6)

(7) Why does the Bible emphasize that even at 120 years old, Moses’ eyes were not weak nor was his strength gone? (v. 7)

(8) How special was Moses among his people? (vv. 10-12; you may want to pause at this time and write a short reflection on the life of Moses)

(9) Given the gigantic stature of Moses, do you think Joshua could really be successful as his successor? Why or why not? (v. 9; see Note below)

(10) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?

Note:

The Book of Joshua describes the entrance into the Promised Land led by Joshua and it represents one of the most united eras in the history of Israel.