Deuteronomy 29-31 Potpourri (read the selected passages)

Following are short comments on several passages.  Read the selected passage, although of course, if you can read the three chapters you will do well!

·       Deut. 29:4: There are many today who question how the Apostle Paul could say that the law of Moses was given to reveal sin, and that it was never thought that the people could keep it on their own.  This seems unfair, that God would give them laws that would only lead to failure.  I believe that in Paul’s “retraining” by the Holy Spirit, he was just taken to passages like this.  Both Moses and Joshua spoke to the people in this way: you cannot and will not keep this law!  David, who lived under the law of Moses, knew that a right relationship with God depended on the Savior, One through whom righteousness could be imputed to the sinner (Ps. 32:1-2; Rom. 4:5-8).

·       Deut. 29:19: It is interesting that, as an illustration of someone following the dictates of their evil hearts, that Moses speaks of “drunkenness.”  In 1 Thess. 5:1-11, Paul does the same, using drunkenness (5:7) as an illustration of the darkness preceding the “day of the Lord.”  It is not that drunkenness is the worst of sins; but it clearly portrays someone under the lordship of sin and death.

·       Deut. 30:2-3: In connection with our thoughts on 29:4 note that disobedience is assumed (v2) as is captivity (v3).  This is going to happen.  It is a prophecy, not because Moses has a vision of the future but because he has seen in real time what the people were like.

·       Deut. 30:11-14: Notice what is said here.  Obedience is not that hard!  Why?  As Paul said, quoting this passage, because the “word“ is a matter of faith.  It is trusting God.

·       Deut. 31:6-8: This is a strong call to faith going forward.  In other words, Moses does not leave the people in a hopeless situation.  Yes, they will fail to keep God’s word.  But their failure should lead them to cry out to the Lord.  He goes with you.  He will not leave you nor forsake you.  He said this to all the people (v6) and then to Joshua (v8).

·       Deut. 31:12-13:  This I found to be personally encouraging as I am afraid that I do not always fear the Lord as I should.  The fear of God must be “learned.”  It begins with “hearing.”  We should train our children to be good listeners (to their parents and then to God) if we desire them to be obedient.

·       Deut. 31:16: Joshua said the same thing in Joshua 24:14-15 when he called the people to choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.

·       Deut. 31:22: Moses wrote the magnificent Song of Moses in Deut. 32.  It was not written at some later time in history by someone who had seen the outcome.  Moses wrote it!  And the subject of the Song is “the latter days” (31:29).