Deuteronomy 1-26 - The Life of Moses

(My BSF notes)

Last week God had Moses take a 2^nd census.  He prepared Moses for his death and chose Joshua to take Moses’ place.  God prepared Israel to enter the Promise Land, divided up the land, and told them what He expected of them.

The book of Deuteronomy is the last of the 5 books written by Moses and is sometimes referred to as the “Law”.  Deuteronomy means “second law”, which really means “a copy of the law”.  It contains messages from God to Moses to Israel during the last 1 ½ month of Moses’ life.  The Israelites had been wandering in the desert and now they are ready to go into the Promise Land.  They needed a review of what God had done for them and a reminder of His laws and regulations.  Most of these Deuteronomy chapters are repetition from previous books.  Most of the people who heard the law the first time had passed away and now there was a new generation who needed to hear God’s truths.

How have you forgotten God’s truths?

Do you always obey His laws?

Deuteronomy 1-4 – Moses’ First Address

Israel was camped in the desert East of Jordan in Moab territory.  Moses spoke to them about their history and wanted them to remember:

About themselves – Their numbers had increased and now they were as many as the stars. They had rebelled against the Lord and grumbled about their circumstances.  They had sinned against the Lord.  They did not trust God.  They wouldn’t listen and rebelled against Him.

About himself – He had needed help with the people’s problems and had to appoint judges over them.  Moses would not enter the Promise Land because the Lord was angry with him.  God did show grace to Moses by letting him see it from the mountain top.  Moses commissioned Joshua to take his place as leader.

About God – God increased their numbers as promised.  He delivered them from Egyptian slavery.  He had blessed them and been with them for 40 years.  He carried them as a father carries his son.  He went ahead of them in a cloud by day and fire by night.  He helped Israel conquer their enemies.  He would give the land to their descendants as promised.  He blessed them and watched over them.

 

God had a plan for them and God has a plan for each of us.  He wants you to have all He plans for you.  Just like Israel He wants you to go and start receiving all the things He has for you.  “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jer. 29:11.  

He was not surprised that Israel could not live up to His standards of righteousness.  He is not surprised that we cannot either, but He makes us righteous through the work of Jesus.  The work of being righteous has been done for us.

God wanted them to follow His decrees and laws and not to add or subtract anything to what He commands.   Sometimes we think the Old Testament in not relevant today.  True there are things in the OT that don’t apply to us simply because we are not Jews.  There are however many, many things that apply and many, many lessons for us to learn.   Some people try to add to and change what the Bible says to fit their own ideas.  The Bible is God’s gift to us and is all we need.  The Bible is sufficient.  “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” - 2 Tim. 3:16.   “Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.”- Deut. 4:2.   “And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” – Rev.22:19.

In Deut. 4:15-40 God reminds them that He is a jealous God and doesn’t want them to worship idols.  He warns them to watch themselves and be very careful so they wouldn’t become corrupt and make an idol of any kind.  They are not to bow down to the sun, moon or stars.

This is a lesson for us.  We are to be careful and not follow false teachings.  Test false prophet teaching with God’s Word.  Ask God to guide you and reveal to you any falsehoods.

God gave Israel special privileges that idols can’t give.  They have heard His voice speaking out of fire.  He tested them and did miraculous signs and wonders.  He showed them awesome deeds and did all of this before their eyes so they would know who He was – the one true living God.

How have you seen God working in your life?

What special privileges has God given you?  He has given you the most special privileges of all – the Holy Spirit to guide and direct you, Eternal life, His Word, and His grace.  He has given you hope for the future and the ability to discern between right and wrong.  I am sure you can name many more.

Deuteronomy 5 – 26:19 – Moses’ Second Address

Deut. 5 – The Ten Commandments are repeated which should remind us how important they are to Israel and the church through the centuries.  These commandments are mentioned in Psalm, Matthew, Luke, Romans, and all throughout the Bible.

Deut. 6 – One condition for true prosperity and success is to obey His commands.  We are also to, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”  Each one is to commit himself to God with all his motives and abilities. 

God’s command of love for Him is to be taught to the children and made a common part of their lives.  They were to teach their children to obey God by impressing on the children the commandments, talk about them constantly, tie symbols on their hands and bind them on their foreheads, and write them on their door frames.

How are you teaching your children who God is and that He loves them?

Deut. 7 – Moses reminded Israel their duty to drive out and destroy the nations of Canaan, because they were wicked and idolatrous.  Israel had been set apart and was a holy nation and different from any other nation.  It was not because they were better or wiser, but because God loved them and He loves us.  He told them they would be blessed for their obedience, but judgment would be upon them if they disobeyed.

How has God blessed you because of your obedience?

Deut. 8 – Moses reminded Israel not to forget the Lord.  They should be aware of their history and that the Lord alone provided for them.  They should not let prosperity cause them to forget their God.  They must be obedient to God’s law.  They are warned that if they don’t obey, they too will perish like the other nations.

Deut. 9 – Moses warned against self-righteousness and that the success they will have in occupying the land is because God would go before them in battle.  It was not because of their merits or integrity.  They were stiff-necked people and disobeyed a lot, but He still loved them and gave them grace.

It’s the same for us.  God gives us grace.  He forgives us no matter what we’ve done or who we are.  Jesus took our place on the cross, bore our pain and suffered for the world.  He forgives us, because He loves us.  It’s nothing we have done.  If we got what we deserved, we would be the one paying the price, not Jesus. 

Do you believe and trust that Jesus is who He says He is and that He died for you? 

Will you confess your sins and put your trust in Him today, if you haven’t done so before?

Deut. 10 – The Lord requires His people to fear Him, walk in His ways, love Him, to serve Him with all your heart and soul and observe His commands and decrees.

What is God requiring of you that you that you have ignored?

Deut. 11 – Moses told them to love the Lord and keep His requirements and He will bless them.  If they observe all these commands, He will drive out all the nations before them no matter how large or strong they are.

Deut. 12 – Moses declared they are to worship only in one place, because it’s the place where the presence of God dwelled.  Israel was to destroy any of the places where false gods where worshipped.  They were to destroy them completely, break down their altars, smash their sacred stones, burn their poles, cut down the idols, and wipe out their names.

How do God’s commands about worship warn people in our church and community?

Remember when you worship it’s not about the style of music or order of your church service.  It’s not about you and making you feel good.  It’s all about Him and His truth being spoken.  He is to be our focus.

Deut. 13 – There are temptations of idolatry the Israelites were to avoid.  They should avoid false prophets, fortune tellers, corrupt towns, and family members that entice them.

We, too are to avoid such things.  Maybe it’s that witch based TV show you are watching or those evil themed video games.  Maybe it’s the Wiggy board game or that book you are reading that borders on the occult or partial truths.  Whatever it is, if it doesn’t line up with God’s Word, avoid it.

Deut. 14-19 – These chapters talk about clean and unclean foods, tithes, the cancellation of debts, freeing servants, laws for firstborn animals, and festivals.  There would be new situations that would arise in the new land and they were told to how deal with them.  There would judges, a king, priests, prophets, and a need for cities of refuge.

If they decided to elect a king, he should be one of that God’s chooses.  He is to be an Israelite.  He should be someone who doesn’t require wealth or many wives or his heart will be led astray.  He is to copy the law and read it all the days of his life, and not consider himself better than others. (Deut. 17:14-20)

When they enter the land, they are not to imitate the detestable spiritual practices of the nations.  A list of these detestable practices is listed.  They are not to sacrifice sons and daughters, practice divination or sorcery, interpret omens, witchcraft, cast spells, or be a medium or spiritist, or consult with the dead. (Deut. 18:9-13)

Which of these do you need to confess or ask God to strengthen you to give up?

God promised that after Moses was gone, He would raise up a prophet like Moses to be a mediator between them and God.  This was the prophecy of the Messiah, Jesus. (Deut. 18:14-22)

Deut.  20 – When they go to war, they are to realize that the Lord will be with them.  They are not to be afraid.  They are to destroy the nations completely or they will teach them to follow in the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods.

Deut. 21-25 – These chapters contain an assortment of miscellaneous laws. 

Deut. 26 – This chapter addresses tithes.  After they entered and took possession of the new land, they were to give God some of the first fruits from the land He had given them.  Their attitude should be an attitude of rejoicing.  “…. rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given you and our household.” – Deut. 26:11.

We need to realize how God has blessed us.  Often we don’t think about our blessings until some of them are taken away.  We enjoy good health until it’s gone.  So take time and thank God for all your blessings and give your tithes and offerings to Him cheerfully.  “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Cor. 9:7

How thankful are you for all He has given you?

What is your attitude toward giving tithes and offerings?

Are you a cheerful giver?

Principles: 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 

We must be obedient to God and we will be blessed.

God’s law reveals His love for His people.

Remembering God’s faithfulness trains God’s children to love and obey Him.

Gratitude, love and godly fear are the right motivations for obedience.

In what situation have you realized God’s love for you?

God promised the Israelites they would be His special people and they declared the Lord as their God.  He asked them as He asks us today, to obey His Word.  We must follow the Scriptures and do what it instructs us.  We should not forget God’s commands, but we should not be legalistic about it either.  We should love God and His commands for our own good.  We love because He first loved us.

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Numbers 26-36 - The Life of Moses

(My BSF Notes)

Last week we saw that Balaam was summoned by Balak, the king of Moab to put a curse on Israel.  He had heard about Israel’s defeating the Amorites and feared they would do the same to him.  We learned that Balaam was not a true believer, but used sorcery and loved money.  We saw God use Balaam’s donkey to humble him.  We also saw the immoral seduction of Israel’s men with the Moabite women, which was advised by Balaam resulting in Israel’s worship of their god, Baal.

Numbers 26-27 – Second Census

It had been 38 years since the last census of the people was taken.  Now God had Moses take a second census.  At the last census there were a total of 603,550 and this time there were 601,730.  All the men had died because of the hardships of the desert and the numerous judgments of God.  Only Joshua and Caleb were left.  God’s plan was still intact.  God still provided the men needed for the battles to come.  This census like the 1^st was to count all men over 20 years old who were able to serve in the army.  It was also to assign the land of Canaan by tribes in groups. (Num. 26)  The Levites who were the priests and were to serve God for a lifetime would have no land.  They were to receive no inheritance. 

We see the story of Zalophehad’s daughters.  He had died and had 5 daughters, but no sons.  Inheritances were usually passed to the sons.  The daughters wanted his inheritance and brought their case to Moses asking him to pass the inheritance to them.  Moses took their case to God and He agreed.  The inheritance should be theirs. (Num. 27:1-11) 

Then God told Moses to go up the mountain and see the land the Israelites were to be given.  Remember Moses had sinned against God when he struck the rock 2 times instead of speaking the rock as God commanded.  He dishonored God by taking credit for water coming from the rock.  God told him at that time he would not see the Promise Land.  Afterwards Moses would be gathered to his people.  Moses didn’t worry about himself or complain, but was concerned for the people he loved.  Moses being the great leader that he was, asked God for a successor to be appointed so the people would not be without a shepherd.  God chose Moses’ faithful long time companion, Joshua.  Moses would die, but Joshua would lead the people into the Promised Land. (Num. 27:12-23)

God provided a successor for Moses and Joshua’s relationship with the people would look different than that of Moses.  Remember God equips people in different ways, but we have the same God.

Who was Joshua?  He was the son of Nun and was Moses’ servant and helper since his youth.  He stayed close to Moses and was faithful to serve quietly and without any recognition.   He was one of the 12 spies sent to explore Canaan.  He was one of two faithful spies who returned with faith instead of fear.  He trusted God and His promises.  By being with Moses for all those years, he knew all about Israel’s complaining and that unbelief and disobedience has consequences.  He knew how to approach God appropriately and reverently.   God prepared Joshua to lead as He prepares us to lead.

How faithfully do you serve God?

Do you seek recognition from others?

If you desire God to give you bigger opportunities, be faithful with the small opportunities.  Too many people want to see ministry as popularity.  Ministry is all about serving others.  If you aren’t willing to serve a few people where you are, don’t expect God to give you more people.  Be faithful even if you are serving in the nursery at church or being a greeter at the church door.  Then God will be able to trust you to bigger opportunities.  Because of Joshua’s faithfulness for 40 years, He is getting the promotion of a lifetime!

Numbers 28-30 – Reminder of Offerings, Passover, Feasts and Vows

In Num. 28-30 God reminded the people of His regulations for daily and monthly offerings, the Passover, the different feasts, and vows.  God wanted to be part of their daily lives as He wants to be a part of our daily lives.  This was a new generation and they needed to know God’s requirements and be held accountable.  They would be entering the wicked land of Canaan and needed to know how to worship God and not worship their pagan gods.  All the sacrifices pointed to Jesus Christ who was the sacrifice for all our sins.

Num. 30 addresses vows.  We need to keep our word and our promises.  I think a lot of times we intend to keep them, but don’t.  So be careful what you say so you can keep your word.

Have you made a commitment to serve God, but are getting weary and now you want out of it?  Ask God to give new enthusiasm and energy to follow through with your promises.  God values people who keep their promises.  He is a promise keeper.

Do you remember and follow God’s commands?

Numbers 31 – Vengeance on the Midianites

In Num. 31 God said to take vengeance on the Midianites.  After that Moses would be gathered to his people.  This was the part of the final days before the assault on Canaan.  Here is the account of Balaam’s end.  His advice to the Moabites turned Israel away from the Lord and was the reason he was killed.  God told Moses to have the army kill all the Midianites.  Israel captured the women and children and all their flocks and herds.  They burned the towns and their camps. 

When Israel’s army returned they brought with them the captive women and children instead of killing them.  Moses was angry and asked why they spared the women since they were the ones who turned Israel away from God.  He said now they were to kill the boys and every woman who has slept with a man, but save the girls who has never slept with a man. (Num. 31:13-18) 

Why would God command a “holy war” against the Midianites?  First of all they worshiped the idol Baal and were involved in all kinds of sin.  God had to get rid of this sin so Israel wouldn’t become corrupt.  These immoral, idolatrous women caused the deaths of 24,000 Israelites.  God knew there wasn’t going to be repentance on their part and they could only do terrible harm to His chosen people.  God used Israel to carry out His judgment on them.  It seems harsh to kill the children, but the boys probably would have grown up to be just like their fathers.  God’s judgments are righteous and true.  The Midianites were wicked, practiced evil and idolatry.  When your body has a virus, it will affect your entire body.  You have to get rid of it.  God knows that the idolatrous and immoral nations were like a virus.    

This was a spiritual battle and God is the only one who can judge.  God is sovereign and it’s hard for us to understand.  God doesn’t have to explain Himself to us.  His ways and thoughts are much higher than ours.  We must trust His judgments.  God loves everyone, but He will not be manipulated.  He defends judgment, mercy and truth.  He is the only one qualified to judge.

Principle:  God is just and will fight battles in His way and in His time.

Israel was to divide the spoils between the soldiers and the rest of the community.   They were to set apart as tribute for the Lord 1 out of 500 of persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep or goats and give it to Eleazar as the Lord’s part.  From Israel’s half they were to select 1 out of 50 and give it to the Levites.  The solders brought as an offering to the Lord the gold articles they acquired to make atonement for themselves.  (Num. 31:25-54)

When God asks us to give, it isn’t a flat amount that applies to everyone.  He expects us to give in proportion to our abundance.  If you have more to give, you give more.  If you have less, you give less.  If you are struggling, the portion you give is smaller.  If you are doing well financially, your portion should be greater.

What does God expect from you?

Do you give your right portion to God?

Numbers 32 – The Transjordan Tribes

The Reubenites and Gadites had very large herds and saw the land where they were was suitable for them and didn’t want to cross the Jordan to Canaan.  In a way they seemed selfish and wanted to settle for the easy way.  They asked Moses if he could let this land called Transjordan be theirs.  They explained they didn’t want to escape the fighting, but would go and do their fair share.  They would stay and fight as long as it takes.  Moses grants their request.

Principle:  Is there an area in your life you are settling for?

Do you follow through with your obligations and promises?

Numbers 33 – Moses Records Israel’s Journey

The Lord commanded Moses to record the stages of the Israelites’ journey.  Sometimes it’s good to look back on our lives to see how God has been with us and how He has blessed us.   We can’t live in the past, but we sure can learn from it.  What is not recorded are the plagues, judgments and sins of their past.  God is not a record keeper of wrongs and neither should we be.

Principle:  Recounting God’s past faithfulness anchors our hearts for new challenges and opportunities.

I was in a Bible study several years ago and we were asked to record the events of our lives by different age groupings.  Example 1-15 years old, 16- 26 years old, 27-40 years old, 41-60 years old, etc.  When I did that, I could see God’s hand at work and how I grew spiritually.  It reminded me how He was there in every circumstance and how He had a plan for my life.  It was very eye opening.  You should try it.

How do you record important stages in your life?

What do you do to preserve your traditions?

Do you see how God was with you through it all?

Then God said when you cross the Jordan into Canaan, drive out all the inhabitants of the land.  Destroy all their carved images and idols.  Take possession of the land and settle there.  Distribute the land by lot according to the clans.  (Num. 33)  Any compromise will result in terrible trouble.  The same is true in our lives.  Anytime we only obey God partially, the devil gets a foothold.

When have you compromised with God and what was the result?

When have you partially obeyed God?

Numbers 34-36 – Land Allotted and Boundaries Established

When the Israelites entered the land, God allotted the land to each tribe as an inheritance and gave them boundaries.  These boundaries are described in Num. 34.

In Num. 35 God commanded them to set up towns for the Levites.   Six of those towns were to be towns of refuge to be used for anyone who has killed someone to flee to and await there for a fair trial.  In that culture when a family member was killed, you were obligated to honor them by tracking down the killer and kill him.  God is setting up a place of refuge for people who killed unintentional.  We call that manslaughter.  If the murder was premeditated, there was no place for refuge.  They were to be killed as they had killed.  God instituted capital punishment back in Gen. 9:6, “Whoever shed the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for in the image of God has God made man.”

Where do you turn for refuge?

Num. 36 deals with Zelophehad’s daughters who were granted their father’s inheritance.  If they married outside their tribe, the land would pass to another tribe and upset tribal portions.  So it was decided they should marry within their tribe to avoid problems.  The daughters married within the clans of the descendants of Manasseh and their inheritance remained in their tribe.

God has divided all human beings into 2 tribes – believers and unbelievers.  “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.  For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?   What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?  What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?” – 2 Cor. 6:14-15.  (Belial means wickedness.)  We are not to marry outside of our tribe like in the days of Zelophehad’s daughters, because it creates problems.

All these chapters deal with Israel’s preparation to cross over into the Promised Land, Canaan.

Principle:  God will accomplish the work He began.

Are you prepared to cross over from life to death?

How can you be prepared?

Do you pray and study God’s Word?

Do you have a true relationship with God?

Do you obey only when it’s desirable to you?

In these chapters we see many attributes of God.  He is a just God.  He guides.  He is holy.  He is a promise keeper and He always provides.  He saves us, but doesn’t leave us there.

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