2.24 Deuteronomy 8-11

Doug Reaves

2.24.2020

Deuteronomy 8-11

Summarize what you read in one paragraph:

This section of the book of the law discusses several things. It starts by telling the Israelites to remember the Lord and the 40 years they have spent with him in the wilderness. God is telling them that things are about to change in the promise land, but even with the many blessings they are not to forget God’s commandments and God warns the Israelites of the consequences if they do. In Ch. 9 God warns them about pride. With much success over many nations God reminds them that it is not of themselves. It is by his doing and not because of their righteousness. He goes further even detailing what a stubborn people they’ve been and highlights their terrible sin of worshipping the golden calf. Moses reminds the people that without his intercession they would have been completely destroyed. Moses then proceeds back up the mountain for God to inscribe new stone tablets with the 10 commandments (because Moses had broken the first ones). The Israelites begin the journey from Mt. Sinai and Aaron dies and his son Eleazar takes his place as priest. Moses continues to remind the people of God’s awesomeness and the amazing blessing of the Israelites being His special people. The section finishes by reminding the people how important it is to obey God’s commands and to be different than the nations they remove. He warns of the consequences if they do not. However, it also highlights how amazing it will be for them to live in God’s grace should they obey, and the success they will have because of him. This is summarized at the end of ch. 11 by promising either a blessing or curse.

What is one key verse?

Deuteronomy 9:18 “Then I lay prostate before the Lord as before, forty days and forty nights. I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all the sin that you had committed, in doing what was evil in the sight of the Lord to provoke him to anger. 

How does what you read change your vision of God?

I’m so naturally against suffering and try to avoid it. God’s word constantly and somewhat uncomfortably reminds me that it is part of the plan.

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?

Often when Christians sin, I can think “how could they do that?” I can have a judgmental attitude thinking they deserve the consequences of their actions. Moses example is amazing. He could have started over with a new people, but he chose instead to suffer because of them in hopes of having them regain God’s favor.

How will you Go with God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)

I have to be more patient and less judgmental. To hate the sin but still love the sinner. To be willing to suffer so sinners can be reconciled to God.

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)Moses fasted in the wilderness 40 days and 40 nights because of the people’s sin. Before Jesus began his ministry, he did the same. It’s as if he knew what was in store and was preparing for himself a life and death of suffering to bring people to God.