Here Moses makes a series of speeches meant to reinforce the teachings that had been given, and the lessons learnt during the wilderness wanderings - and indeed the lessons learnt by the human race since creation. It is to the people, so the rules and laws reiterated focus on the people. There is about to be a major change - a change in human leadership, and a change in lifestyle from living in a place with little food and relying upon bread from heaven to a lifestyle of reaping the plenty and variety of food that the land produced. Instead of wandering, they would settle. They would no longer be grouped closely together around the Tabernacle, but spread out over a nation. While they were still together, it was important to start this journey into the promised land with the right mindset - focused on God, not on themselves, and not on idols or the practices of the nations they were driving out; being obedient to God in their dealing with Him, and with each other.
We have considered some of the specific laws and events before, so here I simply dwell on the subjects touched in Moses' speeches.
His first speech is all about remembering events. The disobedience that led to the wanderings in the wilderness, and the obedience in defeating Sihon and Og. The speech ends with a call to obedience. One of the key verses:
"Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children"(Deu 4:9)
It is important for us not to forget either the mistakes or the successes of the past. Each is a learning experience in knowing God better, and should bring us to obedience to Him in the future.
The second speech has two main sections: the relation between the people and God is first, and the specific rules for the Israelites in their dealings with God, their brethren (other Israelites) and foreigne forms the second part.
There is an emphasis on the separation of Israel, their obedience, handing down the stories and teaching to the next generation, and a strong reminder that it is not because of their righteousness that God chose them. After all, they had rebelled many times - their blessing of having God as Ruler was because of God's graciousness, not their goodness.
You shall fear the LORD your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. He is your praise. He is your God, who has done for you these great and terrifying things that your eyes have seen. Your fathers went down to Egypt seventy persons, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars of heaven. "You shall therefore love the LORD your God and keep his charge, his statutes, his rules, and his commandments always.
(Deu 10:20-11:1)
Moving into the specific rules, there is first the rules concerning keeping the land free of evil worship of idols - obedience spiritually comes first. Both in worship sites, and concerning people who encouraged worship of false gods, both were to be purged from the company of Israel. We cannot live right in our lives before God if our affections are turned elsewhere... if other gods take our time and our focus.
Concerning the many other laws to follow, we see again: The concern for the poor. The upholding of truth and justice. The required remembrance of the provision of the Lord (the feasts). The separation of the people from other cultures. Protection of slaves, women, poor, and sojourners.
Finally, Moses reinforces these messages by commanding the people to set up memorials, and pronounce curses on disobedience and blessings on obedience when they entered the land - the speeches of Moses were not to be the end of the remembrance, but the people were to continue to have public displays to remind everyone of the things they had learned.
"This day the LORD your God commands you to do these statutes and rules. You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul. You have declared today that the LORD is your God, and that you will walk in his ways, and keep his statutes and his commandments and his rules, and will obey his voice. And the LORD has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession, as he has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments, and that he will set you in praise and in fame and in honor high above all nations that he has made, and that you shall be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised."
(Deu 26:16-19)
This quote reminds us that all of this covenant is a two-way street, both God and the people participate in its fulfillment.
The third speech is a renewal of the covenant of God. As usual, their are warnings and encouragement. There are warnings about anyone deceiving them to follow other gods - whether overt or subtle, and the sickness that would envelope the nation if allowed to fester. There is also a path of repentance, and the promised hope of future restoration.
The book concludes with arrangements concerning Moses' death, a song, and a blessing for every tribe.
ASCRIBE GREATNESS to our God, the Rock,
His work is perfect and all His ways are just.
Ascribe greatness to our God, the Rock,
His work is perfect and all His ways are just.
A God of faithfulness and without injustice,
Good and upright is He;
A God of faithfulness and without injustice,
Good and upright is He.
His work is perfect and all His ways are just.
Ascribe greatness to our God, the Rock,
His work is perfect and all His ways are just.
A God of faithfulness and without injustice,
Good and upright is He;
A God of faithfulness and without injustice,
Good and upright is He.
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