Deuteronomy 29-30

Intro:

Last week we looked the blessings of keeping the law

It took up 14 verses

The blessings were incredible

We also got through the curses for not keeping the law

It covered 54 verses

It was painful to read what would happen to Israel if they didn’t obey

Much of it was prophetic and we have scripture to show that it happened

Tonight we are going to see Moses renew the covenant

A covenant is a promise from God to Man

God doesn’t break His covenants

God’s promise can be trusted (Genesis 9:17)

Jesus established a new covenant (Luke 22:20)

God’s covenant brings life (2 Corinthians 3:6)

The new covenant is superior to the old covenant

Hebrews 8:6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

The old covenant foreshadowed the new covenant

Hebrews 10:1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.

Tonight, we see Moses renew the covenant that was made with Israel

It was first made with the father of this generation

Moses renews it to remind Israel and to give a fresh start before they go into the promised land

Read Deuteronomy 29:1-5

I. Enter into the Covenant vs. 1-15

vs. 1 Renewing the Covenant

The word “covenant” is used seven times in this chapter;

in fact, this chapter is the Book of Deuteronomy in miniature.

Moses reviewed the past (vv. 1–8), called the people to obey God’s Law (vv. 9–15), and warned them what would happen if they disobeyed (vv. 16–29).

As we read and study Moses’ farewell address, we may get weary of these repeated themes, but they are the essence of God’s covenant with His people.

While the priests and Levites had a copy of the Law of Moses and could refer to it, the common people had to depend on their memories, and therefore repetition was important.

The covenant declared in Deuteronomy wasn’t different from the covenant given at Mount Sinai.

Rather, it was an explanation and application of that covenant to the new generation and their new situation in the Promised Land.

vs. 2-3 All the Lord has Done

Moses never seemed to tire of reminding the people of the grace and mercy of God bestowed on the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

God judged the land of Egypt and delivered Israel from bondage

Plus all of the great signs they saw

vs. 4 No Heart to Understand

There was one problem with Israel

They didn’t have a heart to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear

They were spiritual children

vs. 5-9 The Lord has kept them

Israel wouldn’t understand until after Moses was gone what a great leader they had

He led them as the most humble man on earth for 40 years

He heard from God

On to of that God provided everything they needed

Their clothes or shoes didn’t wear out

They didn’t eat bread or drink wine but God provided manna in the morning and water out of rocks

Therefore keep the covenant so that you will prosper

vs. 10-15 Entering a Sworn Covenant

vs. 10-11 Whole congregation

vs. 12-13 Entering a covenant to be established as his people

vs. 14-15 covenant for generations

II. vs. 16-29 Beware of Turning Away

vs. 16-19 A Poisonous Root

There wouldn’t be any blessing without a warning

You lived in Egypt, came thru nations, seen detestable idols

Beware of turning your heart away

Young are most prone

Moses describes it as a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit

When we turn to other idols we produce bitter fruit

That is a person who hears the Word of God and blesses himself

I will be safe, though I walk in stubbornness

vs. 19 b says “This will lead to the sweeping away of moist and dry alike.”

NKJV says “as though the drunkard could be included with the sober. “

The drunkard may be happy when he is drunk, but his happiness is based on a illusion. God warns against including the peace of the righteous with the peace the wicked might seem to have.

vs. 20-21 Lord will single him out

Not be willing to forgive him

Anger & jealousy will smoke against that man

Curses previously mentioned will settle on him

Lord will blot out his name under heaven

Singled out for calamity

vs. 22-24 Visited on next generations

It will also impact the next generation

Children and foreigners will recognize that the Lord has made the land sick

The nations will ask “Why has the Lord done this to this land? What caused this great anger?”

vs. 25-29 They Abandoned the Covenant

The nations will recognize that Israel abandoned the covenant

This will be puzzling to the other nations because of what He has done for Israel and every nation that came against them

Everything revealed belongs to us and our children forever

III. Returning to the Lord vs. 1-10

vs. 1-10 After you have rebelled

So often in Scripture, the thundering voice of judgment is followed by the loving voice of hope.

Alas, Israel did forsake the Lord and follow after idols, and the Lord did bring on His people the judgments stated in His covenant.

Notice how God says, “When you have rejected my covenant”

When all of these things have come upon you

After all of that God gives them instructions on how to return to Him

“Heart” is one of the key words in this chapter (vv. 2, 6, 10);

the others are “command” or “commandment” (vv. 2, 8, 10, 11, 16), “turn” or “return” (vv. 2, 3, 8, 10), and “life”

The connection is obvious: if God’s people turn from their sins and return with all their heart to God and God’s commandments and obey them, they will enjoy life as only the Lord can give.

Moses is here looking forward to the time when a chastened Israel will repent, turn from their wicked ways, and come back to the Lord.

vs 4-5 He Will Gather You

To some extent, a regathering occurred after the Babylonian Captivity, when a believing remnant returned to the land and rebuilt the temple; but the fulfillment of this promise (vv. 3–6) will not take place until the end times.

The people of Israel today are scattered throughout the world, while in the nation of Israel there are about 6 million people.

But the Lord promises to regather His people, bring them back to their land, and bless them.

But first, a spiritual “operation” must take place, the circumcision of their hearts so that they will receive their Messiah, love their Lord, and experience the spiritual life that He promised.

IV. The Choice of Life and Death vs. 11-20

vs. 11-14 Word is Near to You

Because we’re created in the image of God, we have minds to think with, hearts to feel with, and a will to decide with; and God calls us to make right decisions.

We’re not robots; we can hear God’s Word, learn God’s will, and decide either to obey or disobey.

Moses made it clear that making this decision isn’t a difficult task.

After all, we have the revealed truth of God in His Word, and that Word is available to us.

vs. 15-20 Choose Life

Furthermore, the choice is between life and death, and who would deliberately choose death?

In Israel’s case, the choice was between trusting God and enjoying the bounties of the land (“life and good”), or turning to idols and experiencing the curses given in the covenant (“death and evil”).

It’s either “life and blessing” or “death and cursing.”