How Does the Old Testament Mesh with the New 33
This will complete our journey through the book of Deuteronomy.
17.Bringing it to the people:
Moses has enlisted the help of the elders and the priests. Then, because of his impending death, he brought the message of Deuteronomy to all the Israelites:
When Moses had finished giving these instructionsto all the people of Israel, he said, “I am now 120 years old, and I am no longer able to lead you. The Lord has told me, ‘You will not cross the Jordan River.’ But the Lord your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy the nations living there, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua will lead you across the river, just as the Lord promised.
“The Lord will destroy the nations living in the land, just as he destroyed Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites. The Lord will hand over to you the people who live there, and you must deal with them as I have commanded you. So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Dt. 31:1 – 6. NLT
Now, Moses reminds them that he cannot enter the Promised Land (because he and his brother Aaron took credit for God’s miracle of bringing water from a rock – see Nu. 20:2 – 12). Note that he refers to his age. However, Moses did not die because he was old:
Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever. Dt. 34:7 NLT
He will die because God is taking him home.
Moses also encourages the people to have courage and strength because God Himself will be their Vanguard in battle – guaranteed.
Then, Moses transfers his leadership to Joshua in front of all the people:
Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel watched, he said to him, “Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors he would give them. You are the one who will divide it among them as their grants of land. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Dt. 31:7, 8. NLT
Moses then writes down the entirety of the laws in Deuteronomy, and instructs the Israelites in how to keep the knowledge of it in perpetuity:
So Moses wrote this entire body of instruction in a book and gave it to the priests, who carried the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, and to the elders of Israel. Then Moses gave them this command: “At the end of every seventh year, the Year of Release, during the Festival of Shelters, you must read this Book of Instruction to all the people of Israel when they assemble before the Lord your God at the place he chooses. Call them all together—men, women, children, and the foreigners living in your towns—so they may hear this Book of Instruction and learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully obey all the terms of these instructions. Do this so that your children who have not known these instructions will hear them and will learn to fear the Lord your God. Do this as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.” Dt. 31:9 – 13. NLT
God then told Moses to gather Joshua and meet Him in the Tent of Meeting (Tabernacle). Jehovah manifested as a pillar of cloud at the entrance.
The Lord said to Moses, “You are about to die and join your ancestors. After you are gone, these people will begin to worship foreign gods, the gods of the land where they are going. They will abandon me and break my covenant that I have made with them. Then my anger will blaze forth against them. I will abandon them, hiding my face from them, and they will be devoured. Terrible trouble will come down on them, and on that day they will say, ‘These disasters have come down on us because God is no longer among us!’ At that time I will hide my face from them on account of all the evil they commit by worshiping other gods.
“So write down the words of this song, and teach it to the people of Israel. Help them learn it, so it may serve as a witness for me against them.” Dt. 31:16 – 19. NLT
God is prophesying that when Moses dies, the Israelites will ultimately turn to pagan worship. So, He instructs Moses to write His words in a song, and have the people memorize it.
Thus, when they begin this blasphemous behavior, the song will convict them for their wayward path.
Jehovah directly commissions Joshua:
Then He commanded and commissioned Joshua, the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the sons of Israel into the land which I have sworn to give them, and I will be with you.” Dt. 31:23 AMP
18.Song of Moses:
Even though God commissioned Moses to write this song, it is referred to as the ‘Song of Moses.’ It is quite lengthy (See Dt. 31:30 – 32:47). I will paraphrase:
“For I proclaim the name [and presence] of the Lord; Ascribe greatness and honor to our God!
“The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness without iniquity (injustice), Just and upright is He.” Dt. 32:3, 4. AMP
Declaring that God is pure goodness, just, perfect, and faithful. But then Moses rebukes Israel for how they will corrupt themselves after he dies, regardless of all the God has done for them. They forget how Jehovah specifically chose them to be His people. How He met their needs and protected them and successfully brought them to the Promised Land.
Yet when they became affluent and flourished, the Israelites abandoned God and turned to pagan rites and idol worship. All of this caused God to reject them and set misfortunes against them.
“O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they could discern their future and ultimate fate!” Dt. 32:29 AMP
It is obvious that God pines over them for what their situation will be, when He is out of their sphere.
However, their merciful Creator will rescue His woe begotten children when they hit rock bottom:
“Indeed, the Lord will give justice to his people, and he will change his mind about his servants, when he sees their strength is gone and no one is left, slave or free.
Then he will ask, ‘Where are their gods, the rocks they fled to for refuge? Where now are those gods, who ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their offerings?
Let those gods arise and help you! Let them provide you with shelter! Dt. 32:36 – 38. NLT
God first drives home the impotence of their false gods; then He clarifies once again (what a patient God), where their faith should lie:
“Look now; I myself am he! There is no other god but me! I am the one who kills and gives life; I am the one who wounds and heals; no one can be rescued from my powerful hand!” Dt. 32:39 NLT
During the time of the Israelites deep dive into paganism, they were conquered, enslaved, and exiled from their land. Once they return to Jehovah, He will take the yokes of their enemies off their backs: (Mind you, we are talking about future events.)
“For he will avenge the blood of his children; he will take revenge against his enemies.
He will repay those who hate him and cleanse his people’s land.” Dt. 32:43 NLT
Moses finishes relaying the song to the people and leaves the people with an imperative:
“Take to heart all the words of warning I have given you today. Pass them on as a command to your children so they will obey every word of these instructions. These instructions are not empty words—they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River.” Dt. 32:46, 47. NLT
19.Saying goodbye to Moses:
That same day the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Moab, to the mountains east of the river, and climb Mount Nebo, which is across from Jericho. Look out across the land of Canaan, the land I am giving to the people of Israel as their own special possession. Then you will die there on the mountain. You will join your ancestors, just as Aaron, your brother, died on Mount Hor and joined his ancestors.” Dt. 32:48 – 50. NLT
The Torah does not generally speak to there being an ‘afterlife’. The above scripture certainly infers that there is.
***It is at this juncture, entering the last two chapters of Deuteronomy, that were added to the Bible after Moses’ death, by another author.***
Moses’ last act was to bless the 12 tribes of Israel, similar as to when Joseph did so before his death. (See Dt. 33:1 – 29.)
Now Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is opposite Jericho. And the Lord showed him all the land, from Gilead to Dan, and all Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah to the western sea (Mediterranean Sea), and the Negev (South country) and the plain in the Valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. Then the Lord said to him, “This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” Dt. 34:1 – 4. AMP
Moses could not have been able to see the entirety of Canaan from a single vantage point. Therefore, God must have shown him supernaturally.
So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor; but no man knows where his burial place is to this day. Dt. 34:5, 6. AMP
The greatest man of God was buried by Jehovah Himself. That speaks volumes for their relationship and how He loved him so much.
After 30 days of mourning, Joshua was filled with the Holy Spirit to be able to lead the people.
Finally, we are left with Moses’ epitaph:
Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, [none equal to him] in all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, all his servants, and all his land, and in all the mighty power and all the great and terrible deeds which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel. Dt. 34:10 – 12. AMP
The phrase ‘no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses’ suggests that this Scripture was added after the Israelites would be exiled from the land of Israel, because it had to added by someone who was aware of all the prophets who arose in that time.
What a journey we have had with Moses. How greatly he was used by God to give us the entire Torah – from creation to the fall of humankind in Eden, Cain and Abel, the flood, tower of Babel, the foundation of the Hebrews through Abraham, Sodom and Gomorrah, Isaac, Jacob, Esau, Joseph’s captivity and his reign, Pharoah, Exodus, Ten Commandments and other moral codes, Mt. Sinai, and the Mosaic laws.
The Torah is the foundation of the entire Bible. How greatly we have been blessed…
Building Better Americans 150
How Does the Old Testament Mesh with the New 32
This is our 6th examination of the book of Deuteronomy. Only 1 more to go!
16.For perpetuity: blessings and curses
Then Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, “Keep (remember, obey) all the commandments which I am commanding you today. Dt. 27:1 AMP
Note that Moses is now bringing in the ‘elders’ (spiritual leaders) to make sure that God’s laws are carried forward into perpetuity to establish and maintain Jehovah’s holy nation – even in his absence. Moses knows his death is imminent…
Moses tells the Israelites that when they cross the Jordan River, they are to set up large stones, coated with plaster, on Mount Ebal. Upon those stones, they were to write all the laws he had put forth in Deuteronomy.
There too, the people were to build an altar to Jehovah as well, to sacrifice peace offerings. (See Dt. 27:2 – 8.)
He emphasizes again the importance of the laws:
Then Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel, “Be silent and listen, O Israel! This day you have become a people for the Lord your God. So you shall obey the voice of the Lord your God, and do His commandments and statutes which I am commanding you today.” Dt. 27:9, 10. AMP
Note that now the priests are also included to insure this perpetual reminder of God’s commands.
Moses commands half of the 12 tribes of Israel to stand upon Mt Ebal when they arrive, to pronounce God’s children the curses levied for disobedience towards His laws. Most of these constitute a review of the Ten Commandments:
‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved or cast image (idol)…” Dt. 27:15 AMP (Clear violation of the first and second Commandment).
‘Cursed is anyone who dishonors father or mother.’ Dt. 27:16 NLT (Violates the fifth).
‘Cursed is anyone who steals property…’ Dt. 27:17 NLT (Violates the eight and the tenth)
‘Cursed is he who misleads a blind person on the road.’ Dt. 27:18 AMP (This could also apply to anyone taking advantage of someone who is misinformed or lacks critical knowledge).
‘Cursed is he who distorts (perverts) the justice due to a stranger, an orphan, and a widow.’ Dt. 27:19 AMP (Taking advantage of the less fortunate).
‘Cursed is he who is intimate with his father’s [former] wife…’ Dt. 27:20 AMP (Violates the seventh).
‘Cursed is anyone who has sexual intercourse with an animal.’ Dt. 27:21 NLT (Violates Lv. 18:23)
‘Cursed is anyone who has sexual intercourse with his sister’… or… ‘with his mother-in-law.’Dt. 27:22, 23. NLT (Violates the seventh).
‘Cursed is anyone who attacks a neighbor in secret.’ … or … ‘who accepts payment to kill an innocent person.’Dt. 27:24, 25. NLT (Violates the sixth).
‘Cursed is he who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them [keeping them, taking them to heart as the rule of his life].’ Dt. 27:26 AMP
And there is no doubt that God is big on obedience to His word. (See Ex. 20:6; Lv. 18:4, 5, 26:14, 15 & 21; Dt. 4:2).
However, no one in the history of humankind has been able to completely obey all of Jehovah’s laws, except His Son. That is the reason that Christians look to Him for salvation.[1]
So, what does Israel get from being obedient to their Creator? Blessings!
Moses tells the other 6 tribes of Israel to stand upon Mount Gerizim in Canaan to proclaim the blessings that God relays to him:
“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God: Dt. 28:1 – 2. NLT
Again, Moses is stressing the importance of adhering to God’s laws. Thus, God will show the entire world that Israel will be blessed over any other nation. What kinds of blessings?
Your towns and your fields will be blessed. Your children and your crops
will be blessed. The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed.
Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed.
Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed.
“The Lord will conquer your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven!
“The Lord will guarantee a blessing on everything you do and will fill your storehouses with grain. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.
“If you obey the commands of the Lord your God and walk in his ways, the Lord will establish you as his holy people as he swore he would do. Then all the nations of the world will see that you are a people claimed by the Lord, and they will stand in awe of you.
“The Lord will give you prosperity in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you, blessing you with many children, numerous livestock, and abundant crops. The Lord will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them. If you listen to these commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them, the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom. Dt. 28:3 – 13. NLT
Thus, blessings rain down upon the Israelites in all aspects of their lives when they keep the Mosaic Covenant.
You must not turn away from any of the commands I am giving you today, nor follow after other gods and worship them. Dt. 28:14 NLT
This warning is a big one. To engage in paganism and idolatry, brings yet more curses. It wipes out those same blessings, changing them to similar curses, which follow them everywhere. Crops, flocks, descendants, will be affected. Disease, famine, external invasions will cause great panic and mental sickness. The Israelites will be captured and carried away (See Dt. 28:15 – 68.)
Moses is now beginning his wrap-up:
These are the words of the covenant which the Lord commanded Moses to make with the sons of Israel in the land of Moab, in addition to the covenant which He made with them at Horeb (Sinai). Dt. 29:1 AMP
He starts by reviewing the events that occurred, including God’s miracles, that led the Israelites up to this day – how He clothed them, fed them, fought their battles, and freed them from Egyptian slavery. (See Dt. 29:2 – 16.)
Once more, Moses warns the people of the severity of God’s punishment laid upon those who reject Him:
“…the Lord will not be willing to forgive him, but then the anger of the Lord and His jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse which is written in this book will rest on him; the Lord will blot out his name from under heaven. Then the Lord will single him out for disaster from all the tribes of Israel [making an example of him], according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this Book of the Law. Dt. 29:20, 21. AMP
I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of that! Yowza!
Moses prophesizes that because of their future disobedience, God will allow them to be conquered and banished to other nations. Yet, when His children return to Him, Jehovah will graciously take them in:
“So it shall be when all these things have come on you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind in all the nations where the Lord your God has driven you, and you have returned to the Lord your God and have listened to and obeyed His voice with all your heart and with all your soul, in accordance with everything that I am commanding you today, you and your children, then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes [in your return from exile], and have compassion on you, and will gather you together again from all the peoples (nations) where He has scattered you. Even if any of your dispersed are at the ends of the earth, the Lord your God will gather you together from there, and from there He will bring you back.” Dt. 30:1 – 4. AMP
Keep in mind that God is love:
Then the Lord your God shall make you abundantly prosperous in everything that you do, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your cattle and in the produce of your land; for the Lord will again delight over you for good, just as He delighted over your fathers, if you listen to and obey the voice of the Lord your God to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this Book of the Law, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul (your entire being). Dt. 30:9, 10. AMP
“…the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may obey it.” Dt. 30:14 AMP
“Listen closely, I have set before you today life and prosperity (good), and death and adversity (evil); in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk [that is, to live each and every day] in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments (precepts), so that you will live and multiply, and that the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you are entering to possess.” Dt. 30:15, 16. AMP
And lastly, Moses charges his people:
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse; therefore, you shall choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding closely to Him; for He is your life [your good life, your abundant life, your fulfillment] and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord promised (swore) to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Dt. 30:19, 20. AMP
Amen.
Next time, we finish Deuteronomy, which finishes the Torah, and bid farewell to its author!
[1] Gal. 3:10 – 14.