Tag Archive: Moses


Moses Blesses the Tribes

“Moses’ last recorded words are optimistic blessings for each of the tribes of Israel as they prepare to take over the land which was promised to their forefathers.  Although the exact interpretation of each blessing is sometimes obscure, it is clear that Moses is caught up in the excitement of pending conquests and uses the occasion for giving encouragement and hope.

Prior to giving these blessings, Moses is told that he is to go up on a mountain to view the land of Canaan and then die soon thereafter.”

Read Numbers 27:12-14/Deuteronomy 32:48-52 and Deuteronomy 33

Moses’ Death and Burial

“Moses prepares to ascend Mount Nebo for a long-awaited view of the promised land.  It must be with mixed emotions that he climbs that last step and looks down over ‘the land flowing with milk and honey.’  The long journey has been worth it, and the God who has promised it all is indeed faithful.  While Moses has every confidence that God can deliver the land, he knows that territorial conquest is nothing compared to the struggle which the Israelites will face in trying to maintain their covenant relationship with God.”

Read Deuteronomy 34

“So ends the life of the greatest man of God since Abraham.  As Abraham had taught a family about faith, Moses had taught a nation about law and in centuries to come, One greater than them both will teach the whole world about love and grace.”

All quotations taken from The Daily Bible.

Transfer of Leadership to Joshua

‘Now it is time for Moses to step down and turn the leadership over to Joshua, his successor.  There is little fanfare, for Moses has not been a typical ruler.  He has not been dependent upon political power or process.  He has been merely a servant of the nation’s true ruler, God himself — and so shall Joshua be.”

Read: Deuteronomy 31:1-8, 14, 15, 23

Song of Unfaithfulness

“Anticipating the fact that the Israelites will soon breach their vows of commitment to him, God asks Moses to teach the Israelites a song about unfaithfulness in which God’s own faithfulness stands in sharp contrast.  It is a call to law-keeping — yet a promise of divine grace where human efforts fail.

Moses had personally written the account which is now known as the book of Deuteronomy.  Yet at this point, before assembling the congregation to teach them God’s song, there is an indication that Moses gives over his book to the Levites so that it may be kept with the ark.”

Read: Deuteronomy 31:16-29 and Deuteronomy 32:1-47

All quotations taken from The Daily Bible.

The Laws of Moses (Ca. 1450-1400 B.C.)

Introduction to the Laws

“All the laws previously given have been held in abeyance until this section in order to bring the total together in one collection organized by subject matter.

Most of the laws are set forth in the form of statutes.  Others are in the nature of case decisions or ethical duties.  Some of the laws are given to meet only temporary or immediate needs, while others are intended to last for centuries.  The laws are to be read to the people at regular times throughout each year in order that each person can learn them and have no excuse for not obeying them.

Most of the laws are ultimately designed to teach the Israelites to respect and honor God, to make them holy and aware of the separateness as a specially chosen people, and to learn respect for the rights of their neighbors.  All are given by a personal God and Lawgiver to whom the people have sworn allegiance and promised obedience.

The organization of the laws as presented in this section is purely subjective, and therefore should not be taken as an authoritative structuring.  Because of the fact that in a theocratic legal system all laws are basically religious in nature, any categorization necessarily involves a certain amount of overlapping coverage.  Therefore, as often as possible, such overlapping will be indicated.”

I. Religious and Ceremonial Laws

“At the cornerstone of all the laws is the first commandment.”

OTHER GODS PROHIBITED.  Deuteronomy 5:5b-7

The second commandment insures allegiance to the one true and living God.”

IDOLATRY PROHIBITED.  Deuteronomy 5:8-10

A. Laws Against Idolatry and Paganism

SACRIFICING TO GODS.  Exodus 22:20

REFERRING TO GODS.  Exodus 23:13

MAKING MOLTEN GODS.  Exodus 34:17/Leviticus 19:4

MAKING OTHER IMAGES.  Leviticus 26:1

WOODEN PILLARS.  Deuteronomy 16:21-22

CHILDREN TO MOLEK.  Leviticus 18:21/Leviticus 20:1-5

SEPARATION FROM PAGANS.  Deuteronomy 14:1-2

MOURNING PRACTICES.  Leviticus 19:27-28

AVOIDING ENTICEMENT.  Deuteronomy 12:29-31

SOLICITORS OF IDOLATRY.  Deuteronomy 13:6-11

IDOLATROUS CITIES.  Deuteronomy 13:12-18

PUNISHMENT FOR IDOLATRY.  Deuteronomy 17:2-7

ONLY ONE PLACE OF WORSHIP.  Deuteronomy 12:1-15, 17-22, 26-28

All quotations taken from The Daily Bible.

Read Deuteronomy chapters 9, 10, 11

Once again the Daily Bible doesn’t provide commentary on today’s reading.  It is a continuation from yesterday’s reading; Moses’ second address to the Israelites urging obedience as they now face entering the promised land.

I love this section…Moses is a cheerleader, encouraging and building confidence in the Israelites.  Reminding them what God will do through them in order to occupy this land He has promised and yet also humbles them as he reminds them of past failures…times when their doubt and pride got the best of them and the Lord’s anger was aroused.

It’s a wonderful reminder of all these chosen people have gone through.  How much they’ve grown and changed and how much God really has provided for them in every circumstance when they place their trust fully in Him.

trust

Over the past few days as our family read these passages, it was interesting to see how the kids’ eyes were opened to new details.  How many times have we heard these stories of the great exodus; the stories of Moses, the 40 years of wandering, and not notice the little (yet not so tiny) details?

“I have led you forty years in the wilderness; your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandal has not worn out on your foot.”   Deuteronomy 29:5

FORTY YEARS their clothes never wore out?!!  Wrap your mind around that.  There were growing children that came out of Egypt!

’nuff said.

“Now the sons of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, aside from children. A mixed multitude also went up with them, along with flocks and herds, a very large number of livestock.”   Exodus 12:37-38

The one I always go back to; just how many people Moses had to get through that sea.  It is just crazy to me, when I can barely manage my 4 kids at a waterpark!!

Amazing.

I read a great blog post about some of the amazing miracles God provided that we don’t always think about:  Miracles of Miracles in the Desert   (paulchong.net)  Be sure to check it out!

What others can you think of?

The Lawgiver Urges Obedience

“Moses stresses that, while he has been the spokesman through whom the laws have been delivered, it is God alone who has determined the laws and legislated the nation’s statutes.  Moses reminds the people of the law’s twofold purpose: to bring them into a proper relationship with God, and to regulate their conduct toward orderly and beneficial living.  He is mindful of the need to promulgate the law in future generations and therefore entrusts the parents with the responsibility for teaching the laws to their children. 

Because many of the Israelites are too young to remember, Moses reminds the people that God’s covenant is as much with them as with their parents.”

Read Deuteronomy 4:44-49, Deuteronomy 5:1-5a and 5:22-33 and Deuteronomy chapters 6, 7, 8

All quotations taken from The Daily Bible.

Moses Reviews History and Purpose

“Moses addresses his people as would an aging head of state before transfer orf leadership.  Moses feels keenly the responsibility for orienting a new generation to the history of thier young nation, its unique relationship to God, and their purpose in the conquest which will begin shortly.

In this first of two final addresses, Moses includes his personal feelings about some of the incidents which have occurred, and repeated references to his own sin which keeps him from entering into the promised land personally.”

Read Deuteronomy chapters 1, 2, 3 and Deuteronomy 4:1-43

All quotations taken from The Daily Bible.

From Kadesh to Moab

“The account of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness as recorded in the book of Numbers skips over virtually all of the 40 years except for the foregoing account of the people’s rebellion and the final year to come.  Miriam will die, and her brothers, Moses and Aaron, will so displease God that they too will be denied entrance into the promised land.  Apparently their sin involves not simply failure to follow God’s specific directions, but manifestations of pride and self-importance which minimize God’s power.

As Israel begins their march to Canaan, the Edomites refuse a request for safe passage through their territory.  This is the first of many conflicts which will fulfill the prophecy of antagonism between the descendants of Jacob (Israel) and Esau (Edom).”

Read Numbers chapters 20 and 21

Moses’ Journal of Israel’s Trek

“The book of Numbers gives a retrospective overview of the places where Israel has camped during the previous 40 years.  At God’s direction, Moses has been keeping a detailed journal of the exodus from Egypt. The following passages come from that journal.”

Read Numbers 33:1-49

All quotations taken from The Daily Bible.

Challenge to Leadership

“During the next 40 years the Israelites will become bitter, quarrelsome, and openly rebellious.  After Korah leads 250 others in what amounts to a mutiny, are miraculously destroyed for their rebellion, thousands of other Israelites who stand in sympathy with them are also stricken by plague and die.  This was an assault against God’s chosen priesthood.

God declares that the priests and the Levites will have no inheritance in the promised land, but will rather be supported through the practice of tithing.”

Read Numbers 16, 17:1-13 and 18

All quotations taken from The Daily Bible.

Moses Rebuked by Miriam

“While the Israelites are encamped at Hazeroth, it appears that Moses has married a Cushite woman.  Moses’ sister, Miriam, has become an influential prophetess among the Israelites, is clearly upset by Moses’ choice of a spouse.  Her reasons are not stated and do not appear to be of any particular religious significance, but her opposition to Moses draws God’s judgment nevertheless.”

Read Numbers 12:1-16

The People Lack Courage

“Spies are sent out to determine the strength of the Canaanites where they find impressive armies and fortifications.  Ten of the twelve spies bring back a dismal report, and the Israelites become discouraged.

When two of the spies encourage them to put their faith in God, the people become vocally antagonistic.  For their disbelief, the judgment of God is that none of the fearful Israelites will enter into the promised land, and that the nation of Israel will wander in the wilderness for 40 years, letting death take its natural toll.”

Read Numbers 13, 14

All quotations taken from The Daily Bible.

The Journey Begins

“The people have been numbered and their duties have been assigned, so God now gives the Israelites their marching orders, manifesting himself in the movement of the cloud of his presence over the ark and tabernacle.”

Read Numbers 10 and Numbers 9:15-23

Doubts and Murmurs

“The journey has hardly begun when the people of Israel begin to complain to Moses.  Moses’ lifts up a prayer to God for help and God responds by calling for the appointment of 70 elders to share the administrative burden which Moses has borne thus far.”

Read Numbers 11

All quotations taken from The Daily Bible.
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