March 21: Deuteronomy 30-31

March 21, Deuteronomy 30-31

Deuteronomy 30. God clearly knows that they will be disobedient and is calling them to return before it even happens. God wants to prosper them and bless them and all they have to do is to turn to Him and trust in Him. In the commandments that God is giving to them - none of them are too hard or arduous for them to keep because God has already put in in their hearts to obey Him. This is because of the circumcised heart that we learned about which allows for obedience. The Israelites already had faith near to them in their Scriptures.

Again - if they obey they will experience life and a good life, if they turn away after false gods and not obey, it will bring death. God will not have it! God swore that He would give them the land, and He will… 

Deuteronomy 31 begins the succession of leadership from Moses to Joshua. As we have learned, Moses is not going to enter the Promised Land because of his sin. God has set it up so Joshua can take the lead and guide them into the Land. Again they are reminded through Moses telling Joshua - do not fear anything but God because it is God who goes before them and will give their enemies to them. Basically, Moses wrote down all the laws for the current Israelites but also all the future Israelites - so that they wouldn't forget (even though they do…).

Then Joshua is commissioned by God through Moses as Moses was about to die. God told Moses that after his death the Israelites (or Jews) would whore after other gods and live idolatrous lives - and God will hide His face from them (when they seek Him they will not find Him because of their disobedience). God tells Moses to write a song for them to learn (next chapter) so that they may remember what God has done. Then God commissioned Joshua and told him to be strong and courageous because God is with Him! The song that Moses wrote was to be placed next to the ark of the covenant in the Holy of Holies, suggesting its place is to be one of holiness and reverence. 

Moses then grieves because the Israelites are already disobedient as he is with them, how much more will they be when he is gone! They are going to provoke the Lord to anger because of their disobedient hearts…

To sum it all up:

• Do not fear anything but God because it is God who goes before you.
• As God was with Joshua, He is with us if we are obedient and seeking Him only.