Day 34 Reading Schedule :Deuteronomy 3-7

Deuteronomy 3: The War of Conquest of Canaan That the Lord Will Fight

[Overview]

This chapter is the last part of Moses' recollection, and focuses on the events that occurred on the east side of the Jordan River just before entering Canaan. Moses completely destroyed Bashan following Heshbon (verses 1-11) and gave the land of Heshbon and Bashan east of the Jordan River to Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh as an inheritance (verses 12-17). Moses urged them to believe in God's promise and do their best to conquer Canaan, and asked God to protect the Israelites so that they could safely conquer the land of Canaan and to allow him to enter the land of Canaan, but was rejected (verses 18-29).

Moses continues to reminisce about the journey he had taken to Canaan. This chapter, following chapter 2, reminisces about the conquest of King Sihon of Heshbon east of the Jordan River and the process of receiving the land east of the Jordan River. He also recalls the time when he encouraged the new leader, Joshua, and gives him the assurance that God will be with him in the conquest of Canaan that is about to take place.

Deuteronomy 4: The Laws Israel Must Observe 

[Overview]

This chapter records the purpose of Moses' detailed explanation of the 40 years of wilderness life. Moses wanted to highlight the grace of God who protected Israel by recalling such a difficult wilderness life. Therefore, in this chapter, he urges the Israelites to thoroughly follow God's laws in order to maintain a safe and blessed life in Canaan (verses 1-8). He also recalls the ecstatic moment at Mount Horeb where he received the covenant (verses 9-14). Among the laws, Moses especially emphasized the prohibition of idolatry and mentioned the dire consequences of idolatry (verses 15-30). Finally, Moses once again emphasized obedience to God who saved Israel from Egypt (verses 31-40) and ends with a mention of the distribution and boundaries of the inheritance acquired east of the Jordan (verses 41-49).

Moses concludes his first sermon by urging the Israelites to obey God and serve Him alone. It also prepares the Israelites for their final entry into Canaan by reminding them of the laws God had given them on Mount Horeb.

Deuteronomy 5: God's Horeb Covenant 

[Overview]

This chapter continues to record Moses' sermons commanding the Israelites to keep the laws and ordinances. Among them, the Ten Commandments, which can be said to be the center of all commandments, are mentioned. Moses called the Israelites and told them to remember the Horeb Covenant and talked about its contents (verses 1-6). Moses also declared the commandments to be kept with God (verses 7-15) and the commandments to be kept within the community (verses 16-21), and testified to the incident where God gave him the stone tablets on which the commandments were written on Mount Horeb (verses 22-27). Then, he once again exhorted them to receive God's blessings through keeping the Ten Commandments (verses 28-33).

Moses, who began his second sermon in the latter half of the chapter, once again recalls the covenant and the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai in this chapter. In doing so, he emphasizes the fact that these laws are the most important for Israel's future. In particular, in this chapter, Moses is giving important lessons to the new generation who are currently listening to his sermons about how the laws given to their parents' generation in the past were applied.

Deuteronomy 6: The Greatest Commandment 

[Overview]

This chapter commands the Israelites to keep God's laws and ordinances even after entering Canaan. Moses exhorted them to serve only the one God and to keep all the commandments in their hearts and obey them even after entering the land of Canaan (verses 1-9). In particular, he instructs them to prohibit idols and serve only God, and he reminds them of the Massah incident where they were judged for testing God (verses 10-19). He also urges them to teach all these laws and ordinances to their descendants and to keep them (verses 20-25).

This chapter is the introduction to Moses' second sermon that continues until chapter 26. The core of this chapter is 'Love the Lord', and it is especially a message to not only obey yourself but also thoroughly educate your children on the law. The core teaching of the covenant of law was that the law was passed down through descendants and kept forever for generations.

Deuteronomy 7: Prohibition of Idolatry 

[Overview]

This chapter mentions the nature that the Israelites had to maintain as a covenant community without being tainted by the religion, culture, and customs of the land of Canaan. God commanded them to destroy the Canaanites and not follow their customs (verses 1-5). He also declared that those who followed the commandments would be blessed with material and health, and those who did not would be immediately punished (verses 6-16). Finally, God promised to protect Israel from their enemies and destroy their adversaries, and once again gave a command to prohibit idolatry (verses 17-26). God repeatedly emphasized the prohibition of idolatry because the Canaanite customs had more idolatry than any other region.

Even after entering the land of Canaan, the Israelites had to fulfill their duties as a chosen people. In this chapter, Moses especially emphasized that Israel should not religiously merge with them and should not form any alliances or compromises. These words are equally presented to Christians living in today's world and opposing the world.