Day 35 Reading Schedule: Deuteronomy 8-12

Deuteronomy 8: Keeping the Commandments of the Lord 

[Overview]

The 40 years of wilderness life were a time when the Israelites experienced God’s miraculous grace. Even in the midst of continuous crises and the arid wilderness environment, they were able to survive thanks to God’s help. In this chapter, Moses recalls his life in the wilderness and commands the Israelites to keep God’s commandments (vv. 1-6). He also introduces the beautiful land of Canaan that Israel would receive in the future (vv. 7-10), and remembers the trials they experienced due to disobedience in the wilderness, and emphasizes once again that they should never be arrogant in the land of Canaan, but remember God and keep His statutes and ordinances (vv. 11-18). Finally, he warns that if Israel does not obey God, they will be destroyed like the Gentile nations (vv. 19-20).

In this chapter, Moses compares Israel's 40 years of wandering in the wilderness with their future life in the prosperous land of Canaan, and especially urges them not to make the mistake of forgetting God when they come to live in such good conditions.

Deuteronomy 9: Observance of the Law and Its Results 

[Overview]

The Israelites obtained the blessed land of Canaan not because of their efforts, but because of God’s grace. In this chapter, Moses highlights God’s grace by reminding them of the Israelites’ rebellious behavior in the wilderness. Israel obtained the land of Canaan not because of their righteousness, but because of God’s judgment on the wickedness of the Canaanites (verses 1-5). In addition, despite God’s salvation and protection, they were a rebellious people who made and worshipped a golden calf and did not even believe in the promise to give them the land of Canaan (verses 6-24). Despite these rebellious acts, Moses emphasizes that they were not judged by God’s grace, who heard his prayer for intercession (verses 25-29).

In this chapter, Moses again reminds us of Israel’s past. That is, by mentioning the past crimes committed by Israel in the wilderness, he makes it clear that today’s Israel was not possible because of their righteousness or honesty.

Deuteronomy 10: Reflection and Exhortation on the Stone Tablets 

[Overview]

Moses' reflections on the Israelites, who were about to enter Canaan, continue. This chapter shows the second stone tablet incident on Mount Sinai. After the golden calf incident, God gave Moses a second stone tablet instead of the one he had broken (verses 1-5). This shows God's endless grace toward Israel. After Aaron died, God separated the tribe of Levi to serve God's work (verses 6-9). He also asked Moses, who went up the mountain again, to serve only God (verses 10-16), and promised that the mighty God would bless those who serve His name (verses 17-22).

In the chapter, Moses describes the history of how the Israelites almost lost God's grace by breaking the covenant with God, and in this chapter, he exhorts them to live by recalling the continuous grace that God had granted to the Israelites at that time. This theme is still a valid message today. Because even today, even though we, the saints, always live in the grace of God, we often forget the grace of God and live lives that disappoint God. Therefore, we must examine our faith through this word.

Deuteronomy 11: Curses and Blessings According to the Law 

[Overview]

This chapter commands the Israelites to keep God's laws and ordinances through two choices: blessings and curses. Moses recalls the power of God that made the Exodus possible through numerous miracles (verses 1-7). He then declares that if they keep God's commands, they will receive abundant blessings in the land of Canaan (verses 8-17). Therefore, he urges them to always remember God's laws and keep them for their descendants (verses 18-25), and finally emphasizes once again that they must choose between blessings and curses that lie before them (verses 26-32).

This chapter is also Moses' sermon demanding a life of obedience to God's word, following the previous chapter. Chapter 11 is particularly important as it is an introduction to the ordinances of the law from chapter 12 to Deuteronomy 26:19.

Deuteronomy 12: Maintaining the Purity of the Sacrificial System 

[Overview]

This chapter begins with the laws and regulations that the Israelites had to observe when entering the land of Canaan. First, God commanded them to destroy all the idols of Canaan (verses 1-3). This included not only the idols but also the complete elimination of the sinful customs of Canaan. He then taught them the regulations regarding the construction of a sanctuary for God and the various sacrifices and offerings to be offered there (verses 4-19). Meanwhile, God gave them a prohibition against eating blood when eating sacrifices (verses 20-28), and by reiterating the prohibition of idolatry, he emphasized that they should serve only God (verses 29-32).

Now, this chapter begins the main part of Moses’ second sermon. If the introduction focused on a recollection and preached a fundamental sermon on observing the law in order to love God, now he begins a specific sermon centered on the provisions of the law. This second sermon continues through Deut 26:19.