Page 60 - Advanced OT Survey Revised

and obedience. In between, he charges the nation to remember God’s provision as well as their own sin
(8-10). God used their poverty in the desert to teach them dependence on Him, but He warned that the
prosperity of Canaan could lead them to forget Him, becoming self-sufficient. God’s provision was not a
result of their righteousness but God’s faithfulness and justice, despite repeated rebellion- Sinai,
Massah, Taberah, Kibroth, Kadesh. Obedience brings blessing, disobedience brings curses.

The latter half of this section (12-26) expands the general commands of the Decalogue with specific
rules for Israel’s new setting. Having expounded God’s desire for exclusive worship (6-11), further
commands are given for the place and prohibitions for worship (12-14), religious feasts (14:22-16:17);
human authority- positions and practice (16:18-18:22), legal justice and morality (19:1-24:16) and social
justice (24:17-26:15). Moses concludes his charge the same way He began, urging Israel to remember
God’s law, reminding them of their commitment and God’s covenant promises. Obedience will bring
blessing (26:16-19), a summary of the next section.

Chapter 27-30 focus on the future consequence upon entry into Canaan. God commands a covenant
renewal ceremony, constructing an altar and dividing the tribes between Mt. Ebal and Gerizim to recite
the blessings and curses. Dominated by curses (50/14), God promises that obedience will bring blessing,
abundant life in the land, while disobedience will result in curses, pain-filled life, and exile (28).
Recapping YHWH’s faithfulness, Moses urges the people to be faithful; he foretells their rebellion and
coming exile, but he offers hope that turning to YHWH in repentance will bring restoration (29-30). God
must change their hearts (30:6-7). Moses ends with a call for decision, life and good or death and evil.
“Choose life that you and your offspring may live, loving YHWH your God, obeying His voice and holding
fast to Him for He is your life and length of days (31:19-20).

Chapter 31-34 focuses on the future commitment after commissioning Joshua as his successor, Moses
instructed the people to read the Book of the Law every seven years. He calls heaven and earth as
witnesses, again foretelling the nation’s rebellion and exile (31). As another witness, Moses composes a
song, contrasting God’s faithful, fatherly care and Israel’s rebellion and rejection of God (32). Again, he
urges them to keep God’s law as a matter of life and death! With a final blessing, Moses foretells the
future of each tribe, with an outlook greater for some- Joseph rather than others- Reuben. The book
concludes with the death of Moses- likely recorded later by Joshua. He ascends Mt. Nebo, views Canaan-
Dan-Zoar, but God takes his life and buries him in Moab (34). With the passing of Israel’s greatest
prophet, a new chapter is ready to begin!

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