Moses concludes his 33 chapter sermon, blesses Israel, and goes up to Mt. Pisgah to be gathered to his fathers. (And buried by the Lord – how cool is that?!) Israel mourns for thirty days and then prepares to enter the Land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. What a moment for the people! All the anticipation in the wilderness has led to this moment – let’s hope they remember God’s faithfulness and walk in obedience to his word!
These are several chapters full of seemingly random commands, but a few of them become significant in the unfolding story of redemption. Specifically, I’d point your attention to the strange laws about Levirate marriage in 25:5-10. The problem here revolves around the lack of offspring – which is how a family’s lineage continues. This solution (1) makes a provision for offspring, (2) protects the dignity of the widow, and (3) curbs covetousness (because the inheritance will not belong to the husband’s brother but to the widow). This is pretty odd, but it’s a picture of James 1:27 and God’s concern for widows, orphans and justice.
These two chapters are crucial for understanding the rest of the Old Testament. Much of what we’ll read from this point forward hangs on these passages which clearly state: Israel will experience blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. If you want to understand how the Kings of Israel are judged – read these chapters. If you want to understand why the prophets confront Israel – read these chapters. If you want to understand the exile – read these chapters. Let me encourage you with Moses’ words in 29:18-19, “Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit, one who…blesses himself in his heart…”
The Lord tells Israel through Moses that both the blessing and the curse will come upon them, and he promises to restore them if they repent and return to him with all their heart and soul. He will circumcise their heart. The choice of “life and good” is very near to them. It is not too hard because God himself is near to them and he himself is their life (Flip to Romans 10:5-11 to see Paul apply Deuteronomy 30 to New Testament people). In chapter 31, Moses makes clear that Joshua is to take his place. Pay attention to this because Joshua will not replicate leadership in the same way when they enter the Land – that’s one reason we get Judges.
The law of the Lord leads Moses to sing of God’s wonderful works. As you read this song, remember that this is a poetic retelling of Israel’s history thus far. Read it and try to figure out what part Moses is talking about. Think back to the Passover and the Exodus, the golden calf at Mt. Sinai, the covenant, God’s declaration of his name, the wilderness wanderings. These words are Israel’s “very life.” After the song, Moses declares his final blessing on the tribes of Israel and dies. We’re left at the end of Deuteronomy waiting and searching for “another prophet like Moses.”
We’re getting ready to enter the Land under Joshua’s leadership, who reminds them that the Lord is with them and will give them the Land. We see an assurance of God’s faithfulness in chapter two, a sign of his presence in chapter three as the ark goes before the people, and a memorial of God’s faithfulness in chapter four. All of this is done so that “all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.
The people begin well – by receiving the sign of the covenant and celebrating the Passover. Then, we’re met with a strange story about the commander of the Lord’s army who is not for Israel or her adversaries. He’s out for his own holy business, yet instructs Joshua about Jericho. Again, a familiar pattern repeats itself – sin quickly enters the camp through Achan. The Lord calls them back to the covenant (in accord with Deut. 28-29). Only after sin is purged from the camp can Israel move forward.
We discover several crazy accounts in these chapters. First, Israel makes a treaty wherein the Gibeonites become servants for the altar of the Lord. Second, Israel continues conquering the Land while Joshua asked the Lord to make the sun and moon stand still. God fought for Israel, giving them victory. The second half of chapter 10 and all of chapter 11 chronicle the rest of the conquering of Canaan.