Journal Through the Bible: Week 30 Monday

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Deuteronomy 29:1-30:10

The LORD gave the people a covenant in Moab just like He did in Horeb. Those who were young when they left Egypt had witnessed both the first and the second ratification ceremonies. Their clothes and shoes had not grown old or ill-fitting in the 40 years of travel. They had not been required to provide their own food or drink along the way. They had already seen some of the land conquered and more blessings were promised. The covenant was theirs to accept!

Does God  issue any commands in this passage?

• (29:1) God commanded Moses to tell this second generation all of the words of the covenant. (That is what we have been reading in this book!)
• (29: 9) They were commanded to keep the words of the covenant.

Does God make any promises?

• (29:13) God promised to take them as His people because He had sworn to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that He would do so.
• (29:20-21) The LORD would not spare those who wished to imitate the wicked inhabitants of Canaan. The land would turn from fertile grasslands into sulfurous desert.
• (30:1-10) God promised that He would return them to the land from the places where they had been driven if they would repent and follow His statutes with all their hearts and souls.
• (30:6) God promised to circumcise their hearts so that they would love Him. This was to follow the time of their captivity.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• Jesus is the mediator of the covenant. Man could not keep the covenant so God sent His Son to reconcile God and man.
• Jesus is the one that circumcises the hearts of men. (See Colossians 2:8-14.)

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• (29:14-15) God made it clear that not everyone was present at that ceremony who would benefit from the covenant. Hebrews 8:7-13 tells us that the old covenant passed away but that God made a new covenant with them through their Redeemer and the covenant extends to all who believe. Someday the covenant will be completely fulfilled and God's people, Jews and Gentiles, will keep the covenant! (Peter preached about the new covenant in Acts chapter 2. See especially verse 39.)
• (30:7) God promised to put all the curses upon the Jews' enemies. This has not happened yet in its entirety.