Year 1, Week 23, Day 2 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 23, Day 2

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Deuteronomy 29-30.

Today’s reading describes the Covenant renewal that Israel was to commit to just prior to their entrance into the Promised Land. The Israelites have not crossed over the Jordan yet, and while there will be ceremonial renewals to the Covenant that they will make once they enter into the Land, there are commitments to be made beforehand. Deuteronomy 29 records Moses’ instructions concerning the Covenant renewal, which consists of a brief review of the past, a charge to keep the stipulations, a warning of what will happen as the stipulations are disobeyed, and a concluding word about the mysteries of the LORD. Deuteronomy 30 continues Moses’ instructions, which consists of a glimpse into the future of a time that the LORD would restore Israel to the Land and change their heart toward Him, but concludes with a charge: “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil…I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live” (Deuteronomy 30:15,19).

One of the things that struck me in today’s reading is the Lord associating His Word and obedience to His Word with life: “My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!…I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word!” (Psalm 119:25,107). While the contrast between life and good, death and evil are clear, Israel will, for the most part, be inclined toward death and evil. Israel has a choice to make: “These are the words of the covenant that the LORD commanded Moses to make with the people of Israel in the land of Moab, besides the covenant that he had made with them at Horeb…Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.” (Deuteronomy 29:1,9). But Israel is being confronted with the reality that they might not make the right choice: “Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or clan or tribe whose heart is turning away today from the LORD our God to go and serve the gods of those nations. Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit, one who, when he hears the words of this sworn covenant, blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.’ This will lead to the sweeping away of moist and dry alike.” (Deuteronomy 29:18-19).

The hearts of the Israelites would be inclined to choose death and evil over life and good. Their hearts are in need of help: “But to this day the LORD has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear.” (Deuteronomy 29:4). Israel’s need for a new heart from the LORD should be seen as neither giving Israel a legitimate excuse for the disobedience, nor should it be seen as putting the blame on God for their disobedience since He has not given them what is needed. The LORD is not obligated to give Israel a new heart (though we will see in a moment that while not obligated, He will graciously do so). The LORD is not obligated to Israel but Israel is obligated to the LORD for what He has done for them. The Israelites are obligated to obey, and not overly concern themselves with what they perceive God should be up to: “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29:29). The real effect that Israel being confronted with the need for a new heart that only the LORD could provide, should have been to have brought Israel to their knees in desperation before the LORD and to cry out to Him. But they will opt to not cry out to the LORD and choose death and evil. They will end up exiled.

But in exile, the LORD will act on their behalf: “And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you…then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you.” (Deuteronomy 30:1,3). The LORD will not only return them to the Land but supply what their heart needs most: “And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring” (Deuteronomy 30:6a). And the effect of their heart change will be dynamic: “so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:6b). The obedience, which Israel needs to experience life and good, seems elusive to them, but Moses counters: “For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off…But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.” (Deuteronomy 30:11,14). While they are in need of a work from the LORD, they are without excuse for they are responsible to obey. The only thing that would impede their obeying the LORD is their own refusal to do so. Moses was calling upon Israel to turn to the LORD with dependence upon Him as they accepted their personal responsibility for obedience. If they would just turn to the LORD, they would have all that they need. In fact, Paul uses these verses in Deuteronomy 30 to call people to turn to Christ: “But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:8-10).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe