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09/29/2019
The Bible Jesus Read: Not Rocket Science
Deuteronomy 29:2-31:9
1. “Today” (29:2-15) : As a culmination of the laws and consequences he has outlined (chs. 4-28), Moses surveys Israel’s recent past and describes how Israel is now renewing their covenant with God (29:2-15). This covenant renewal ceremony is taking place, in the words of Moses, “today!” Count how many times this word occurs in these verses. Can you recall any specific ‘days’ in your life when you renewed your faith?
2. A Temptation and a Warning (29:16-28) : Having the everlasting promises of God and being exalted high above other nations (see 26:19; 28:1, 10, 13) leads to unique temptations for Israel. In particular, they could so emphasize God’s special favor to themselves as to think they would face no consequences for their sin (29:19; see Jer. 7:8-10). Describe the poignant picture Moses paints here to confront this false thinking (29:20-28).
Did Jesus confront a similar false security in his day (Matt. 23)? What do we see in ours?
3. Hope for the Future (30:1-10) : This text is one of the most important passages in the entire Old Testament. In a staggering act of prophecy, Moses by the inspiration of God foretells the entire history of God’s people. Because of Israel’s incorrigible sinfulness, Moses knows ( even before they have entered the land! ) that they will certainly fall into sin and be exiled (v. 1). What will take place after they have been exiled? Summarize the timeline given in verses 1-10. What does this timeline teach us about the unfortunate nature of man, but also the glorious nature of God?
4. Choose Life (30:15-20) : These verses, especially verses 19-20, are widely regarded as the climax of the entire book of Deuteronomy. What is Moses’ great plea to Israel, and how does this plea summarize the book as a whole? (Notice especially how he seeks to motivate Israel using the repeated words ‘life’ and ‘live’) How would you modify this plea in light of our full, Christian revelation (John 1:4; 14:6; Rom. 6:23)?