Spiritual Odyssey Week 7

Destination: Numbers

Feb. 12 Numbers 22-24

Pray for Nigeria that God will use the government to fulfill His will and bring peace to Nigeria.

1. C 22 - 24 The march of Israel. They “set forward” after 38 years of wandering ready to conquer the Promised Land.

2. God had prepared them through lesser victories: Canaanites in Numbers 21:1-3, the Amorites Numbers 21:29-26; Bashanites Numbers 21:33-35

3. C 22 Balaam. Read 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 11; Rev. 2:144. Balaam had a reputation for being a prophet; his renown had reached

Balak, king of the Moabites. Balaam, as you will see, had some knowledge of the God of Israel but it is unclear how but like Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18) and Jethro (priest of the Lord in Exodus 18), these non-Israelites seem to have some knowledge of the Lord. Most scholars think that this knowledge came from Abraham Gen. 24:15 just like Bethuel & Laban (Gen. 31:49)

5. Balaam uses the Covenant-Redemptive Name of God (YHWH) not Elohim.6. Balaam was from Pethor, a city on the River, probably the Euphrates.

Possibly Pethor was not far from the great city of Mari, discovered in 1933 in the Euphrates Valley. The discovery of a vast number of cuneiform tablets at Mari, beginning in 1933, revealed among other things the existence of a complex cult of prophets and seers whose activities precisely resemble those of Balaam. The fact that he undoubtedly represented the prophetic customs and practices of Mari and vicinity makes possible a better understanding of Balaam’s narrative in Numbers. (Deffinbaugh)

7. C 22 v 31 The Angel of the Lord is a theophany—an appearance of God in human form, the person of Jesus Christ- as Balaam confessed that he had sinned against Him.

8. Balaam is a prophet for hire. His goal is only to make money of his gift. This is what 2 Peter 2:15 calls “the way of Balaam” and what characterizes false teachers today.

9. The “error of Balaam” is differentiated from the “way of Balaam”. The error was that he reasoned from a natural, moral standpoint that God must curse Israel because He is righteous and the Israelites were evil. He failed to see that God enforces His Law in order to show His just nature and so He can be the Justifier of the Israelites. There is a higher “morality” and that is the cross. Romans 3:26

10.The “doctrine of Balaam” (Rev. 2:14) refers to the teaching of Balaam that Balak could corrupt the people who could not be cursed by tempting them to marry women of Moab, defile their separation. It is the union of the world and the church. It is world conformity. James 4:4

11.C 22 v 41 BAlak 12.C 23 Prophecy of Balaam from the high places of Baal. The separation of

Israel.13. C 23 When Balaam sees the whole camp he spoke- “He hath not beheld

iniquity in Jacob. “ Romans 4:5-814.C 23 v 13-26 The prophecy from Pisgah: the Justification and power of

Israel. 15. Pisgah is a mountain range opposite of Jericho of which the highest peak is

Mt. Nebo. One of the sites of Balaam’s Cursing/Blessing of Israel

16.

17.The prophecy from Peor: the beauty and order of Israel.

18.C 24 v 15-25 The prophecy of the Messiah: A “Star out of Jacob”, a “Scepter out of Israel”

19.C 24 v 20 Amalek was the first among the nations that warred against Israel (Exodus 17:8)

20.In Balaam’s prophecies, God speaks in behalf of His people rather than to them. They are God’s redeemed ones by virtue of the “serpent that was lifted up” and the “water smitten from the rock” which is Christ. Though Israel was in sin, they are only worthy of discipline not judgment.

21.As Christians, because of Christ (John 3:14) being “lifted up”, our standing before God is secure but our state may require the Father’s discipline. (1 Cor. 11:30-32; 2 Cor. 1:4-9). When it comes to our enemies, God is for us. Romans 1:8

Feb. 13 – Numbers 25-27

Pray for Sudan, the Nuba region, whose schools have been moved to caves because of frequent aerial bombings.

1. C 25 The doctrine of Balaam. Read Numbers 31:16; Revelations 2:14; James 4:4

2. Seeing that their enemies (Balak) could not curse the Isrealites, they sought to destroy them by causing them to sin against the Lord by causing them to commit fornication with the women of Moab seduced them to both sexual sin and idolatry. Sex is commonly connected with idol worship in the ancient world.

3. Midianites and Moabites are used interchangeably in this chapter. This is because the Midianites were a nomadic group, and at this time, were in high numbers among the Moabites.

4. C 25 v 3 Israel was joined to Baal of Peor: Baal was the Canaanite fertility god, and the worship of Baal was a constant enticement for the children of Israel. Baalam prophesied from the high places of Baal (Numbers 22:41), possibly from this same place – Baal Peor.

5. C 25 v 3 The anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel; Balaam tried to curse Israel and could not; but now, they are cursed because of their sin against the Lord.

6. What their enemy could never accomplish against Israel, Israel did to itself through disobedience. The same principle works among the people of God today. The mightiest attack of Satan against us can never do as much damage as our own sin and rebellion against the Lord.

7. 2 Peter 2:15-16 speaks of Balaam and his love of money, using him as an example of later false prophets.

8. C 25 v 6-9 Phinehas was one among those in Israel who would not accept this wholesale rebellion against God. He brought God’s judgment by thrusting through an Israelite man and a Midianite woman with a spear – seemingly, as they were in the midst of immorality.

9. Biblical Scholar Allen believes this man was having sex with the Midianite woman right in front of the tabernacle, and the text deliberately obscures this, because it is so offensive. Remember the holiness of God and the elaborate rituals we learned in Leviticus that ensured that the people do not defile the tabernacle of God.

10.So the plague was stopped among the children of Israel: Phinehas was probably not the only one to make such a stand for righteousness. But his was the singular act that stopped the plague. We may think our particular

stand for righteousness makes no difference in the awesome tide of sin around us; but God can honor just one righteous act and cause it to make the difference. (Guzik) Phinehas was not only obedient to God, he was zealous for Him and for that God rewarded him and his descendants with the everlasting priesthood.

11.C 26 Second census conducted, this time of the new generation. There was an actual decline in the census after 40 years. The purpose of first census in Numbers 1 was to organize the army. The second census is to prepare them for the inheritance/division of the land according the number of people. The land was to be divided in proportion to their numbers and location by lot.

12.The book of Numbers may also be called the book of arrested progress. 13.In the first census, Israel counted 603,550 men ready for war; 38 years

later, they count 601,730 men – a loss of 1,820 men (.3%).14.The total number of men ready for war during the wilderness stayed

virtually the same over the 38 year period, when the generation of unbelief died in the wilderness. It was a period of spiritual stagnation for the old generation as a punishment for their unbelief.

15. Of the twelve tribes of Israel, five suffered loss, and seven gained men. Half of the tribes had gains or losses 15% or less; but Simeon lost 63% of their population, and Manasseh gained 64%. God was blessing or cursing particular tribes, no doubt related to their abiding with Him. (Guzik)

16.C 27 Daughters of Zelophehad—the Law of the Inheritance. There is a deeper significance for the Holy Spirit to place emphasis to this particular incident in chapter 27. This is a legal issue and what happens in this passage provides a legal precedent for succeeding generations. If a man has no sons, only daughters, the daughter will carry on the name & inheritance of his father; if that daughter marries within her tribe, her husband (the son-in-law) will carry on the name of the daughter’s (wife’s) father. Read Numbers 36.

17.In Luke 3:23-28, we see the genealogy of Mary, the mother of Jesus. In Matthew 1:16 we have the genealogy of Joseph where we are told that he is the son of Jacob. But why is Joseph called the “son of Heli” in the genealogy in Luke 3? He cannot be, biologically both the son of Jacob and

the son of Heli. In Luke, it does not say that Heli begat Joseph so that the natural explanation would be that Joseph was the son-in-law of Heli, who was also a descendant of David. So in Luke we have Mary’s genealogy, and Joseph was the “son of Heli” because he was espoused to Heli’s daughter, Mary. We presuppose that Heli had no son and thus, Joseph, the son-in-law carried the name and the inheritance of Heli by virtue of the Law of Inheritance.

18.We noted the differences in the Matthew and Luke accounts following King David. Matthew’s account is from Abraham to Joseph to Jesus, and it goes through King David’s first surviving son by Bathsheba, King Solomon. Luke’s account is from Adam to Mary (Joseph’s name is listed) to Jesus, and it’s through King David’s second surviving son by Bathsheba, Nathan.

19.Because these are the genealogies of two different people, there is nothing unusual about the lineage varying after King David. However, there is an interesting fact that is found tucked away in these genealogies. The line of Joseph has a blood curse that was placed upon a descendant of King Solomon’s, a king of Judah by the name of Jeconiah (also known as Jehoiachin and Coniah).

20.The inclusion of this incident on the daughters of Zelophehad in the narrative in Numbers has utmost significance because it becomes the legal precedent for the claim of the Messiah Jesus Christ, to the throne of David.

21.We might wonder why there is so much attention given to the law of inheritance here with the daughters of Zelophehad. In our study of Genesis, we also found it strange that a whole chapter (chapter 38) on Judah is placed in the middle of the narrative of Joseph, a story that seems to be out of place. In these two instances, a closer study shows that they have to do with the bloodline of the Messiah.

22. I point you to Jeremiah 22:30 to the Blood Curse of Jeconiah23.Jeconiah was a wicked king and God decreed that none of his descendants

would ever ascend to the throne of David.24.Jeremiah 22:30 Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man [Jeconiah] childless,

a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.

25.Jeconiah was a descendant in the line of Solomon, so the genealogy in Matthew is tainted with a blood curse from Jeconiah all the way to Joseph. No descendant of Jeconiah would qualify as King of Israel. But remember,

Joseph was only the legal father of Jesus, not his biological father. Therefore Jesus was not of the seed of Jeconiah. The blood curse, which would have disqualified Him from a legal right to rule as King of Judah, was not passed on to Jesus.

26.Mary was Jesus’ only human parent. It was through her ancestry that Jesus had a birthright in the bloodline of the Tribe of Judah, the line from which all kings of Judah came. The genealogy of Jesus through Mary is not through Solomon, but through Nathan (the second surviving son of King David). Jeconiah was not an ancestor of Mary’s and therefore the blood curse is not upon Jesus’ ancestral line through His mother.

27.So if Joseph had been Jesus’ biological father, He could not have fulfilled the prophecy of being Messiah. This supports the virgin birth, which is exactly what was prophesied in Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:35

28. By law, Jesus fulfilled the legal requirement of being a descendant of David and at the same time fulfilling the prophecy that He will be the “seed of a woman,” who is from the untainted bloodline of Mary.

29.C 27 v 15-23 Joshua appointed in Moses’ place as leader of the people. Read Micah 5:2-4, John 1-:11 (Jesus as the ultimate Good Shepherd). Pastors as God’s undershepherds of the flock. (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2) John 21:15-17 states the job of the shepherd. Mark 6:34 Moses as a type of Christ showing concern for the sheep who are without a shepherd.

Feb 14 – Numbers 28-30

Pray for Vietnam that new believers will persevere despite pressure from local authorities.

1. C 28-29 Daily sacrifices are to be offered to the Lord, morning and evening signifying their statement of their continuous need for atonement and as an expression of their devotion to the Lord. Psalm 5:3; Psalm 88:13; Psalm 63:6; Psalm 141:2; Psalm 55:17

2. C 28: 26-31 Feast of Pentecost (First Fruits) The primary meaning of celebrating the Feast of Pentecost was thanksgiving and not atonement. Every feast of Israel carries with it the idea of atonement.

3. We also should be reminded to be thankful for the atonement that was provided for us

4. C 28 v 1-6 Offerings at the Feast of Trumpets5. C 29 v 7-11 Offerings of the Atonement; “you shall afflict your souls” It was

a day to carefully consider the burden of sin, and to put it away on a national basis.

6. C 28 v 12-39 Offerings at the Feast of Tabernacle;7. The sacrifice of so many animals was a demonstration of the richness of

God’s provision to them through the years in the wilderness.8. C 28 v 40 The most prominent animal of sacrifice was the lamb. This is an

obvious prophetic reference to Jesus, who is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29

9. In the days of Jesus, there is a record of 255,600 Passover lambs being sacrificed at one Passover just by individuals and households.

10.Significantly, none of it was enough! Not one of these hundreds of thousands of sacrifices over the centuries could ever take away a person’s sin; that had to wait until a perfect sacrifice was offered – the sacrifice of Jesus. (Guzik)

11. C 30 Law of Vows. That vows need the blessing or approval of the father in the case of a daughter living in the father’s house, and the husband over the wife implicitly demonstrates the design of God: the headship of the father in the home; the headship of the husband over the wife. Vows were discouraged however, if one were to have a vow, they have to be taken seriously.

Feb. 15 – Numbers 31-33

Pray for Parkland, Florida and the ones affected by the mass shooting at Marjorie Douglas High School. Pray that they will experience the presence of God in the midst of the horror, shock and grief. Pray that the gospel will be shared and people will turn to our only hope, Jesus Christ.

1. C 31 The Judgment on Midian . Recall Numbers 25: 6-18. These Midianite women caused the children of Israel to sin by enticing them to commit fornication and idolatry. God judged the Israelites with a plague which was

stopped by Phinehas. In Numbers 25: 17-18, God instructs the people to vex the Midianites for they have caused Israel to sin. This command is repeated to Moses in Numbers 31.

2. C 31 v 6 Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the priest, who was known in went to war with the rest of the Israelites.

3. What is God teaching the Israelites in the seemingly ruthless slaughter of the Midianites? These enemies present a jeopardy to God’s people by their sinful lusts. There was to be no compromise when it comes to eliminating them. It is a matter of life and death, a threat to the existence of the nation. Moral compromise will ruin the nation. God will later on judge His very own people when they fail to remain separate and sanctify themselves from the detestable practices and wicked ways of the Canaanites. Numbers 33:55-56

4. C 32 Read Genesis 11:31; Judges 5:16; Joshua 7:7; 2 Timothy 4:10 The tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh decide not to cross Jordan and chose their inheritance, instead, just outside of Canaan. They are the world-borderers; the ones who practice self-will and self-indulgence. Because of their poor choice, they never knew what God had prepared for them on the other side and they put their own clans vulnerable to attack by leaving them exposed, unprotected and defenseless to invading marauders while their men went away to battle with the rest of the tribes. The land they chose, which later will be known as the Golan Heights, will be a source of trouble for Israel for hundreds of years. This land is exposed to Israel’s enemies, were the first to fall in times of war and were isolated from their brethren.

5.

Notice the land of Reuben, Gad & the half tribe of Manasseh on the east side of Jordan.

6. C 33:53 Read Genesis 14:19 The most high God (El Elyon) who is the “possessor of heaven and earth”, is the landlord and as the owner of the land he has the right to dispossess its inhabitants and give it to whomever He wants, in this case, Israel, the rightful heir. There is only one piece of land whose title has been given as an inheritance – that is, the land of Canaan. Also remember that God waited for 400 years to give this land to

the Israelites. While they were slaves in Egypt, the Canaanites—as temporary occupants of the land, continued in their wickedness and depraved ways. God waited 400 years to judge them and this judgment came in the form of the Israelites who will dispossess them of the land. Genesis 15:13-16.

Feb. 16 – Numbers 34-36

Pray for Qatar that the hearts of many Qataris will be softened despite the influences of wealth and Islam.

1. C 35 The Levites were given no inheritance of the land; they will have no “state” or “province” within Israel. The Lord was their inheritance. Numbers 18:20

2. God commanded that the Levites be given cities by all the tribes so that the Levites will be scattered through out the nation. God wanted the spiritual influence that the Levites have to be sprinkled over the nation.

3. In ancient Israel, each family had a recognized avenger of blood who ensured that the one who would kill a family member would be avenged. This is based upon Genesis 9:6

4. There were to be six cities of refuge, with three on each side of the Jordan River. Each of the three cities on either side would be positioned as north, central, and south.

5. Joshua 20:7-8 records the actual choice of the cities. They fulfilled the plan of being evenly distributed perfectly. Deuteronomy 19:3 also tells us that proper roads were to be built and maintained to these cities of refuge. A city of refuge was no good to the slayer if they could not get there quickly.

6. This meant that the cities were close to all; no one was very far from a city of refuge. This was obviously important when the avenger of blood chased you.

7. Anyone could go to the cities of refuge, whether Israelite or Gentile. 8. The cities of refuge are a picture of Jesus sheltering the sinner from

judgment. Psalm 142:5; Isaiah 4:6; Exodus 21:13; Deut. 19:2-9; Romans 8:1, 33,34; Philippians 3:9

9. Psalm 46:1, says God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. More than 15 other times, the Psalms speak of God as being our refuge.

10.Hebrews 6:18 says, That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. We can flee to Jesus for refuge!

11.Both Jesus and the cities of refuge are within easy reach of the needy person; they were of no use unless someone could get to the place of refuge.

12.Both Jesus and the cities of refuge are open to all, not just the Israelite; no one needs to fear that they would be turned away from their place of refuge in their time of need.

13. Both Jesus and the cities of refuge became a place where the one in need would live; you didn’t come to a city of refuge in time of need just to look around.

14.Both Jesus and the cities of refuge are the only alternative for the one in need; without this specific protection, they will be destroyed.

15.Both Jesus and the cities of refuge provide protection only within their boundaries; to go outside meant death.

16.With both Jesus and the cities of refuge, full freedom comes with the death of the High Priest.

17.A crucial distinction: The cities of refuge only helped the innocent; the guilty can come to Jesus and find refuge. (Guzik)

Summary of the Book: All the laws in Numbers were given to instill in the people a reverence for God. All of life was one whole; there was to be no distinction between moral law and religious law. Key points that must be derived from a study of this book are:

a. Carefulness – everything in the camp must be in the right place around the Tent/Tabernacle of Meeting. The Lord was now in their midst in the Tabernacle. Carelessness and casualness are not acceptable when God’s people approach Him. Detailed instructions are to be followed in the

marching out and the marching in of the people. Sins of carelessness were punishable by death.

b. Cleanliness – numerous provisions and instructions are given to ensure that the people are clean and the camp is spotlessly clean.

c. Costliness – for a sinful person or people, to live close to a holy God is costly. There are to be daily, weekly and monthly sacrifices to be offered which entailed the killing of many animals. There are to sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving, as well.

1. In the book of Numbers, it is made clear to the Israelites that God will deal severely with them in the context of the promise and the conditions of the Mosaic Covenant if they obey or disobey the Law.

2. The book is a very sad book. Two thirds of the events in this book should never have happened to the Israelites.

3. C 36:13 As the children of Israel stood across from the city of Jericho, we should consider what it took to take them from Egypt to this place across the Jericho.

4. From their encampment at Mount Sinai, God gave Israel the opportunity to grow from being a slave people to being a Promised Land people. He taught them how to be ordered, organized, cleansed, separated, blessed, how to give, to be reminded of God’s deliverance, given God’s presence, and received the tools to advance to the Promised Land.

5. Then, as the nation actually set out from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land, they found themselves struggling with the flesh – they murmured, complained, and rebelled; most of all, they failed to enter into what God had set before them by faith – and a generation of unbelief was condemned to perish in the wilderness.

6. God led the nation for some 38 years in the wilderness, with much motion but no progress – enduring more rebellion and murmuring, but essentially waiting until the generation of unbelief had died and a generation willing to trust God for big things had come to maturity.

7. So they set out towards the Promised Land again, and faced the same challenges of the flesh – but dealt with them better this time, until they made their way to the threshold of the Promised Land.

8. By spiritual analogy, many Christians die in the wilderness because they will not trust God, and will not enter into what He has set before them. Many Christians also see the evidence of that lack of faith display itself in a weakness towards the things of the flesh. Sadly, many Christian live more in the wilderness than on the threshold of the Promised Land.

9. Finally, consider what it would take to move the Children of Israel from across from Jericho to the Promised Land. Staying on the shores of the Jordan River is better than being in the middle of the wilderness; but it isn’t the Promised Land yet. They came this far by faith, and will need faith to take them the rest of the way.

Feb. 17 – Deuteronomy 1-3

Pray that Turkish Christians will see the Lord Jesus as their ultimate and priceless treasure.

1. Chapters 1-3 are a summary by Moses of the wilderness wanderings, and these are some of his last words to the people before his death.

2. C 1 v1-2 “All Israel” appears 12 times in the book. 3. C 1 The Israelites are at the threshold of entering the Promised Land, the

land that 400 years before God swore to give them in the Abrahamic Covenant. They are by the plains of Moab across the Jordan River.

4. The Failure at Kadesh-barnea. There are eleven days’ journey from Horeb (Sinai) by the way of mount Seir unto Kadesh-barnea, at the threshold of the Canaan, but it took them 40 years to actually get there. Throughout the 40 years, God allowed them to wander in the wilderness until the last of the unbelieving generation perished except for Joshua and Caleb.

5. C 1 v 4 To prepare their hearts to conquer the Promised Land, God had given the new generation victory over the kings on the other side of the promised land for as long as they trusted in Him: namely Og, King of Bashan and Sihon, King of Heshbon.

6. C 1 v 6 Horeb is another name for Sinai.

7. Edom is the nation of the Edomites, descendants of Esau. Gen. 36:8 God instructed Israel not to touch their land because it was given to them as an inheritance. Joshuc a 24:4.

8. C 2 v 9, 19 Israel is to leave Moab and Ammon alone because their land was given them for an inheritance. These two were descendants of the two sons of Lot, Abraham’s nephew—Ben Ammi and Moab. Gen. 19:36-38

9. C 3 v 21-22 Moses gives his charge to Joshua, his successor to remember what He has done in their victories over the kings on this side Jordan: “so

shall the Lord your God do unto all the kingdoms whither thour passest. “ye shall not fear them; for the Lord your God, He shall fight for you. “

10. C 3 v 26 Moses misrepresented God to the people as an angry God when was not at the waters of Meribah (Numbers 20). For this his punishment was he will not enter the Promised Land. It might seem like a harsh punishment for Moses, but remember that leaders are held to a higher standard (James 3:1)We have learned in our study of Numbers that the rock that Moses, struck twice which gave water to the people was a picture of Christ. In disobeying God by striking the rock twice, Moses defaced a beautiful picture of Jesus as the rock that gives life-giving water. The New Testament makes it clear this water-providing, life-giving rock was a picture of Jesus (1 Corinthians 10:4). Jesus, being struck once, provided life for all who would drink of Him (John 7:37). But was unnecessary – and unrighteous – that Jesus would be struck again, much less again twice, because the Son of God needed only to suffer once (Hebrews 10:10-12). Jesus can now be come to with words of faith (Romans 10:8-10), as Moses should have only used words of faith to bring life-giving water to the nation of Israel. Moses “ruined” this picture of the work of Jesus God intended. (Guzik)11. Speak no more to Me of this matter: Moses was a great man of intercession – perhaps one of the greatest in the Bible. Yet, God would say “no” even to Moses in prayer. God will sometimes say no even to His mightiest intercessors (Jeremiah 15:1). (Guzik)

Feb. 18 – Deuteronomy 5-9

Pray for Algeria in North Africa that the church will commit itself to the Great Commission.

1. C 4 – A Call to Obedience2. C 1 v 1 Spiritual life and death depended on Israel’s obedience. Physical life

and death also depended on their obedience. Israel was about to attack a strong nation & if they didn’t have the blessing of God, they would soon be in trouble.

3. 36 men died at Ai because of disobedience to the law in Joshua 7.

4. C 4 v 2 Read Revelations 22:18-19. Solemn warning not to add or take away from the word of God.

5. C 4 v 3 Recall Numbers 25 where the people committed fornication and idolatry with the women of Moab and for that God sent a plague and killed many of them.

6. C 4 v 6 Through their obedience to the covenant, Israel was to be a witness to the nations around them; they will be exalted. 1 Kings 10. The renown of King Solomon and Israel reached far off lands that even the Queen of Sheba came to visit and witness for herself.

7. C 4 v 9-20 Moses challenges the people to remember & learn from the example of the incident at Mt. Sinai (Horeb)

8. Exodus 24:1-8 At Mt. Sinai, not only did the Israelites received the Law (10 Commandments) but there they entered into a covenant with God at Mt. Sinai that they would follow the laws and statutes of God and in turn they would be blessed; however, if they disobey, they will be cursed.

9. C 4 v 21-24 Moses challenges the Israelites to learn from the example of his own failure. No one is exempt from God’s punishment. The people should take obedience seriously. For “our God is a consuming fire. “ Hebrews 12:29

10. C 4 v 25-28 – the high price of disobedience: they will lose possession of the land and will be scattered among the nations. This is fulfilled 550 years later when they are taken away as slaves to Babylon, and some were scattered to Assyria and to Egypt

11.C 4 v 29-31 Yet God will show them mercy v 31 if they truly repent and seek Him with all their hearts and souls v 29.

12.C 5 The second reading of the Law, this time to the new generation. The Law is comprised of : a. The commandments, expressing the righteous will of God b. The judgments, governing the social life of Israel c. The Ordinances, governing the religious life of the people. This term “the Law” is what is referred to in the New Testament.

13.C 6 v 4-9 The greatest commandment. This is the “Shema”. Shema (“hear”) is the Hebrew word for the most important prayer in Judaism. It begins with the command to “Hear.” The whole Shema prayer, which includes verses 4-9, is spoken daily in the Jewish tradition. This is often the first

section of Scripture that a Jewish child learns. This prayer is recited twice a day, in the morning and in the evening.

14.The Shema prayer was so influential and important that Jesus used it as the beginning of His answer to the “greatest commandment” question in Mark 12:28–30.

15.As Moses addressed the nation they were on the threshold of the Promised Land. It had been some 38 years since they received the Law of God at Mount Sinai and now Moses reviewed and explained the Law of God with the new generation.

16.C 7 v 1-11 The command to be separate. C 7 v 12-26 The promise of victory.17.C 8-9 Warnings and exhortations.