Page 111 - Pentateuch - Student Textbook

Study Section 14: Pentateuch VI:
Vassal Treaty and the Ban: Deuteronomy 1:1-5:33; 7:1-6

14.1 Connect

The book of Deuteronomy is a written record of the words of Moses to the people of Israel as
they were about to enter the Promised Land. “These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel in
the wilderness east of the Jordan (1:1).” Just a few months more than forty years have passed
since God had brought them out of Egypt (1:3). Some of the people to whom he is speaking
had grown from infants to young adults. The oldest are nearing sixty years. Most had
witnessed the death of their parents in the wilderness due to disobedience. A large number are still
children. All had experienced daily manna and other miracles from the hand of God. Yet this new
generation is addressed as if connected to that previous generation now dead. Moses refers to those
earlier years by saying, “At that time I said to you (1:9)” and “all of you came to me and said (1:22).”
Israel through the ages stands as a unity before God.

Throughout the Pentateuch we find events and commands that seem morally objectionable. Since
Moses presents God as just (Gen. 18:25), we are puzzled by God’s command to sacrifice Isaac or by his
instructions to the people of Israel to “steal” jewelry and other items from their Egyptian neighbors.
Discussing each would take much time and study. Perhaps it is enough to focus on one of the greatest
criticisms of God as revealed in the Pentateuch, his command to wipe out the nations in Palestine.
Several times already we have read the warning about the influence of these nations. “Do not let them
live in your land” (Ex. 23:32-33; 34:12-16). The warnings by themselves are not as graphic as the events.
We get uncomfortable over the episode when Israel destroyed Midian. We understand the rationale
behind defeating this nation that had caused them so much trouble (Num. 31:16). The harshness of the
defeat is a different matter. “Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, but
save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man (Numbers 31:17).”

14.2 Objectives

1. You will learn about a form of treaty used in 1400 B.C that God used to communicate his will
to Israel.

2. You will see the role that forgiveness plays in spiritual growth.

3. You will note the relationship of the Ten Commandments to the rest of the law, functioning as a table
of contents.

14.3 Vassal Treaty and the Ban

The form of the words of Moses follows is a well-known pattern in that day. When a nation was
conquered by another, they were forced to accept a “vassal treaty,” agreeing to obey a new
king in specific ways. “The Hebrews adapted the treaty form for their own use in order to
express the nature of their relationship to God. For many years they were in effect vassals to
Egypt, but that old bondage was brought to an end in the exodus from Egypt. Being liberated
from bondage to an earthly power, they then submitted themselves in the Sinai Covenant to

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