by Rick Marin | Nov 12, 2021 | Deuteronomy
When did the Law begin?
(Deut. 4:31-44; 5:6-22; 9:1-6; 10:1-15; 30:10-14; Rom. 3:20; Gal. 2:21) Blog Nov. 7-13, 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Moses began his farewell address with a brief history. Then he turned to the giving of God’s Law, the words of God’s covenant with his people. It was these precepts that would make them a great and wise nation. They were an expression of God’s love for his people, and he desired them to love hm in return. God also promised to care for them and to deliver them from every foe and they were to show special care for widows, the fatherless, and strangers.
The Law
1. Since God is love and love is the fulfilling of the Law, when did the Law begin? Since God is eternal and the Law is an expression of who he is, then the Law was always in existence – it has no beginning and no end (1 John 4:8; Rom. 10:13; 1 Cor. 13:13).
2. When was the Law of love first attacked? In heaven, before the foundation of the world, Lucifer, the highest angel in God’s creation let pride swell up in his heart giving him the desire to overthrow God while challenging his Law of love (Eze. 28:14-18; Isa. 14:12-15).
3. How did the Apostle Paul say that he learned about pride? Paul wrote that he didn’t realize his pride until he understood the commandment that says, “Thou shalt not covet” (Rom. 7:7).
4. According to Romans 5 when was God’s Ten Commandment law first known on earth? It was God’s Law that Adam and Eve broke for it existed on earth since creation (Rom. 5:12-14).
5. What cannot exist where there is no law? Where there is no law, sin cannot exist, for sin is the transgression of the law (Rom. 3:20; 5:13; 1 John 3:4).
6. With what kind of behavior is the law satisfied? The Law is satisfied with nothing less than perfect, wholehearted obedience (Deut. 6:5; Matt. 5:48; Rom. 2:13).
7. In the book of Deuteronomy what is Moses trying to emphasize about God’s Law? Moses, throughout Deuteronomy, is emphasizing the need for God’s people to continually rehearse and put in practice the principles of God’s Commandments (Deut. 17:18-20; 28:58-59; 31:12; 32:46).
Grace
8. What is grace? “Grace” is to be considered better than one deserves (Gen. 33:8-10; Ruth 2:10).
9. In the Bible, who is first mentioned as finding grace in the eyes of the Lord? Noah is the first person mentioned in the Bible as finding grace in the eyes of the Lord (Gen. 6:8).
10. When was grace first manifest on earth? Grace was first manifest when sin entered this earth (Rom. 5:19-20).
11. As Moses rehearses God’s leading and laws to his people what illustration of grace does he mention? After reminding God’s people of his guidance and Law, Moses mentions that should they disobey and go astray God in mercy would hear them if they cried to him. Then he outlines God’s plan for cities of refuge which would provide gracious protection for anyone guilty of shedding blood (Deut. 4:29-31;41-42).
12. What was to become of the manslayer who sought refuge in a city of refuge. The manslayer was to receive a trial in which the high priest was his defender and judge (Num. 35:10-34; Deut. 17:9-12).
13. What would happen to the guilt-free manslayer who was required to live in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest, if he went out of the city? The manslayer would be liable to be killed by the revenger of blood (Num. 35:25-28).
14. Who are guilty of the blood of Jesus and where may they hide? We all are guilty of the blood of the Son of God and our only hope is to hide in Jesus, our city of refuge (Rom. 5:12; Phil. 3:9).
15. How did God demonstrate his grace to Israel before declaring his commandments on Mount Sinai? God considered the descendants of Abraham better than they deserved by choosing them and delivering them from Egypt. That was grace before law (Deut. 4:31-35).
16. When Israel sinned grievously, how did God show them grace? God showed Israel grace by forgiving their sin and going with them to the promised land (Ex. 33:12-17).
17. How does Deuteronomy 9:1-6 teach grace? Deuteronomy 9:1-6 teaches that God’s salvation is not given because of our righteousness but because of God’s grace (Deut. 9:1-6; 2 Tim. 1:9).
18. What gracious result does obedience to God’s Law bring? Obedience to God’s Law brings only good to us (Deut. 10:12-13).
The Kiss
19. If God’s character, his Law, requires perfect, wholehearted obedience, what must human beings possess in order to render such obedience to God? We must have holy, sinless natures in order to render perfect obedience to God (Deut. 5:29; Psa. 81:12).
20. When do believers in Jesus receive a sinless, holy nature? Believers in Jesus receive a sinless nature when they believe but their sinful, carnal nature is not removed until glorification. So, sinless living will not be attained until glorification (Rom. 7:22-25; 8:17-23; 1 Cor. 15:54; 2 Pet. 1:4).
21. When did grace and Law kiss each other? Grace and truth kissed each other at the cross for by his death Jesus opened grace to every sinner and by his life and death he satisfied every demand of God’s holy Law (Psa. 85:10).
22. If grace and Law kissed at the cross, what does that mean for us? When grace and Law kissed at the cross the door was opened for all who accept Jesus to live under the covenant of grace having fulfilled the Law in Christ (Gal. 2:21).
23. What has God done for us when we deserved it not? In the person of Jesus Christ he has lived a perfect substitutionary life & died a ransom for our sins while we were yet rebels (Rom. 5:8).
by Rick Marin | Nov 1, 2021 | Deuteronomy
What made the Jewish nation great?
(Deut. 4:1-9, 32-35; Num. 25:1-15; Matt. 15:8-9; Rev. 3:14-22) Blog Oct. 31-Nov. 6, 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: On the Plains of Moab while under God’s sentence of death, Moses began his farewell address with a brief review of Israel’s history. If God’s people were to become a great nation, they must remember his loving care in their past history and trust his good laws for their future wellbeing. They were his Covenant people who he loved and for whom he desired everything good. As Moses continued his discourse, he reminded the people of God’s precepts and of his promises to care for them and deliver them from every foe. God’s greatest desire was that his people would love him in return.
A Great Nation
1. Considering the brief history he recounted in Deuteronomy 1-3, how does Moses begin chapter 4? Moses begins Deuteronomy 4 saying “take heed” (Deut. 4:1).
2. Of what did God especially want his people to be heedful? God wanted (& still does) his people to pay special attention to his laws & to remember & obey them (Deut. 4:1, 9).
3. How particular is God about the wording and content of his laws? God is so particular about the wording & content of his laws that he pronounces an eternal curse upon anyone who changes them (Deut. 4:2; 12:32; Prov. 30:5-6; Rev. 22:18-19).
4. In Christ’s day what had the Jewish people done with God’s Law? In Christ’s day the Jewish leaders had added numerous human traditions to God’s Law thus obscuring & making meaningless the glory of God’s commands (Matt. 15:8-9).
5. In our day what has “the man of sin” done to God’s Law? The man of sin has attempted to change God’s Law by changing the day of worship and by removing the second commandment (Dan. 7:25; 8:23; 2 Thes. 2:3-4; Rev. 13:5-6).
6. What is it that made the Jewish nation great? Moses clearly tells God’s people that it is God’s presence with them & his commandments that make them a great nation (Deut. 4:5-8, 32-35).
7. Why did God want to transform his people into a great nation? Just as he promised Abraham, God desired his people to be a blessing & to bring the light of salvation in him to the whole world. If the nations saw their obedience to God’s commandments, they would be considered a very wise nation (Gen. 12:2-3; Deut. 4:6; Isa. 49:6).
8. What often happens to those who become great? Often those who become great, become proud & forget what made them great (Eze. 16:13-15).
9. What must have happened to God’s people after defeating two mighty nations on the east side of the Jordan River? God’s people on the border of the Promised Land must have let pride enter their hearts after defeating Og & Sihon for Scripture teaches that shame follows pride (Prov. 11:2; Jer. 50:32).
The Last Great Fall
10. While on the borders of the Promised Land what exciting but shameful event happened to God’s people? After defeating two mighty nations God’s people were enticed into adultery & worship of idols by the Midianites at Baal Peor (Num. 25:1-3; Deut. 4:3-4).
11. How did God purify his people at Baal Peor? God slew 24,000 men who followed the sin of Baal Peor & raised up a faithful priest to make a blood atonement for his people (Num. 25:9-15; Deut. 4:3-4).
12. What should we learn from God’s reaction to the sin of Baal Peor? God’s destroying plague at Baal Peor should show us how serious he is about obedience to his laws (Deut. 5:11; Matt. 5:17-19).
13. Who was left alive to enter Canaan after the sin of Baal Peor? Those who escaped God’s destroying plague were those who stayed close to God & his sanctuary during the crisis of Baal Peor – they wept between the porch and the altar (Num. 25:6; Deut. 4:4; Joel 2:17).
God’s Great Nation Today
14. What became of the great Jewish nation who were God’s chosen people? After repeated chastening the nation of Israel was given her final opportunity when God visited her in the person of his Son. But rather than receiving their Messiah, Israel rejected him and put him to death. It was at that time that Jesus pronounced her doom as God’s great nation & they sealed their fate with the stoning of Stephen (Matt. 21:33-43; 23:38; Acts 7:51-53).
15. When God rejected the Jewish nation as his “great nation,” whom did he choose to replace her? All the promises made to Abraham & his descendants will be fulfilled in Jesus, the True Vine, & for all those found in him – that is his church (Matt. 10:1-4; John 15:1; Gal. 3:27-29).
16. When Jesus in the book of Revelation outlines the history of the Christian church from Pentecost to Paradise, what name does he give to the church of our day? Jesus calls his last church Laodicea, which means “the judging of the people” for in our day the hour of God’s final judgment is come (Rev. 3:14-22; 14:6).
17. What is the condition of the church of Laodicea? Laodicea claims to be very rich when in fact she is poor & lacks discernment & lacks confidence in the righteousness of Christ (Rev. 3:17).
18. Is it likely that God’s church on the brink of eternity experiences a great fall just prior to entering the joy of her Lord? Yes, since the church is spiritual Israel Paul warns us of being enticed into spiritual harlotry (into uniting with the worship of false gods) & John says that false worship will be Satan’s last deception (1 Cor. 10:6-11; Rev. 13:15).
19. Like Phinehas at Baal Peor, what will God use to purify his people during her last conflict? God will have an everlasting Priest who will rise up & make an atonement for his people who sigh & cry for all the abominations done in the church (Num. 25:6, 10-13; Deut. 4:4; Eze. 9:4-6).20. What hope is there for the church of Laodicea in light of her continued sinfulness? Laodicea’s hope does not lie in her achieving character perfection before final judgment. Her only hope lies in the mercy of God as she is examined in judgment & her only defense is prayer (Matt. 26:41; Rom. 11:30-36; Rev. 3:18-20).
by Rick Marin | Oct 27, 2021 | Deuteronomy
Who was the strangest stranger that ever lived on this earth?
(Deut. 10:1-19; Psa. 146:5-10; James 1:27-2:11) Blog Oct. 24-30, 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Moses began his farewell address with a brief review of Israel’s history. God wanted his people to realize his loving care in their past history and to trust his good laws for their future wellbeing. The book of Deuteronomy is “The Book of the Covenant” for it emphasizes God’s covenantal love for his people and his desire that they love him in return.
Love for Strangers
1. How does Moses describe God in Deuteronomy 10:17? Moses says: “The LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward” (emphasizing his power & justice) (Deut. 10:17).
2. With whom does Moses say that God especially deals justly? God especially deals justly with the fatherless, widows, & strangers (Deut. 10:18).
3. How does Moses say that God shows his love for strangers? God shows his love for strangers by giving them clothing & food (Deut. 10:18).
4. When Moses speaks of “strangers,” of whom is he speaking? Our Bibles use the word “strangers” to refer to foreigners. This can also include refugees, those of other races, and those of other faiths (Gen. 15:13; Deut. 10:18).
5. Since God loves foreigners what does he ask of his people? God asks his people to treat foreigners with kindness and tender regard for they were also foreigners in Egypt (Ex. 22:21; Lev. 19:34; Deut. 10:19).
6. Does Moses teach God’s people that they are to treat strangers equally in every area of life? No, Moses separates certain religious aspects of life in which strangers are not given equal standing with God’s people – they cannot become rulers or priests, nor can they partake of the Passover unless they are circumcised, but they are to observe the weekly & annual rest days (Ex. 12:43, 48; 20:11; Lev. 16:29; Deut. 5:14; 17:15)
7. During what activities of God’s people were they to especially remember foreigners, widows, and fatherless? God’s people were especially to remember the marginalized portions of society during harvest, (for they were to leave all the gleanings for them) & when celebrating the third tithe (Deut. 14:29; 24:19-22).
8. In what area of life does Moses make special emphasis regarding equality for strangers, widows and orphans? Moses especially emphasizes equality for strangers, widows and orphans in the area of legal justice (Deut. 1:16; 24:17; 27:19)
Heart Surgery
9. What precondition does Moses give for us being able to love foreigners, refugees, and those of other faiths? The precondition for us being able to love foreigners, refugees, & those of other faiths is that our hearts be circumcised — for only a change of heart wrought by God’s Holy Spirit can plant true love for others in us (Deut. 10:16; Rom. 5:5)
10. Of what was circumcision a sign? Circumcision of the flesh was a sign of the covenant God made with Abraham but here in Deuteronomy God applies it to our sinful hearts (Gen. 17:13; Deut. 10:16; Col. 2:10)
11. In Ephesians 2, who does Paul call strangers? Paul refers to those dead in sins (the unsaved) as strangers to God’s covenant of grace (Eph. 2:1-3, 19).
12. If circumcision of the heart is revealed by a changed life that exhibits love towards others what should that tell us about God’s everlasting covenant? One of the evidences that a person is under God’s everlasting covenant will be a life of love towards others (Deut. 7:9; Gal. 5:22; 1 John 2:10)
13. What practical aspects of covenantal love does Moses mention in Deuteronomy 24? Moses says that when lending to the poor one should not retain their security overnight if it is needed for the borrowers rest, nor should one postpone wages to the needy (Deut. 24:10-15).
New Testament Confirmation
14. Who was the strangest stranger that ever lived on this earth? Jesus was the strangest, homeless stranger that ever lived on this earth (Matt. 8:20).
15. When Jesus depicts those in need, under what circumstances does he say that we help him? Jesus says when we clothe those who lack covering or give drink to the thirsty or visit the sick or those in prison we do it to him (Matt. 25:35-36).
16. What kind of people helped Jesus during his earthy life? And what kind did not? Poor, humble fishermen and marginalized rich men & women helped Jesus during his earthly life while most wealthy religious leaders spurned and persecuted him (Mark 1:16-30; 15:40-46).
17. What does James say we should do for widows and orphans? James says we should visit widows & orphans & help them in their affliction while keeping ourselves unspotted from the world (James 1:27).
18. How does James say that we often deal with those of different economic standing? James says we show favoritism to the rich while trating the poor in a different manner & that to do this is sin for we should love others as much as we love ourselves (James 2:1-9).
19. What godly counsel do Paul and John give regarding strangers? In First Timothy Paul commends women who have lodged strangers & relieved the afflicted. In Hebrews he reminds us to entertain strangers. John, in his third epistle, commends his reader for his care of brethren & strangers (1 Tim. 5:10; Heb. 13:2; 3 John 1:5).
by Rick Marin | Oct 20, 2021 | Deuteronomy
What do those who love God, gladly receive?
(Deut. 7:7-13; 1 Cor. 13:1-13; 1 John 4:1-21;) Blog Oct. 17-23, 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: There on the Plains of Moab beside the Jordan River Moses began his farewell address with a brief review of Israel’s history. This was so that God’s people would realize his loving care in their past history and trust him to give them good laws for their future wellbeing. Moses’ address recorded in the book of Deuteronomy is about covenantal love.
Love for God
1. When society speaks about “love” to what are they referring? For everyday society “love” means an impulsive passion – a strong sensual attraction, emotion, or feeling (Gen. 27:4; 2 Sam. 13:4).
2. According to the Bible what is “love”? Love is a pure, holy, unselfish principle that motivates a person to seek the good of others (1 Cor. 13:4-7).
3. Who is the embodiment of love? God is love for that is his nature from which all his actions flow (1 John 4:8).
4. What was God expressing when he made a covenant with his people? By making a covenant with his people God was expressing love for them & a desire that they love him in return (Deut. 7:7-9; Isa. 43:4).
5. What is the reason that God’s people should love him? God’s people should love him because he first loved them & showed it in creation & in redemption (Deut. 7:7-9; 11:7-9; Rom. 5:8; 1 John 4:10-11).
6. Before a person can love God what must they have? In order for a person to love God they must first believe that he is a good God, for without faith it is impossible to please him (Deut. 10:12-13; Heb. 11:60.
7. When a person believes God what does God do so that they can then love him? God changes the believer’s heart (give him a new heart), writes his law there, so she can then love him (Deut. 30:6; Jer. 31:33; Eze. 36:24-27).
8. How is love for God demonstrated in the life of a believer? Love for God is demonstrated by obedience to all his commandments (Deut. 5:10; 10:12-13; John 14:15; 1 John 5:3).
9. In what areas of our being will love be a motivating force as we keep God’s Commandments? Our love for God will shine through our hearts, soul, mind, & strength in fulfillment of the first great commandment (Deut. 6:5; Mark 12:28-30).
Love for others
10. What reason does the Bible give for us to love others? We are to love others because God first loved us (we should love others even as much as we love ourselves) (Lev. 19:18; Matt. 22:39; 1 John 4:11).
11. What unlikely people does God want us to love? God wants us to love strangers, widows, orphans, & our enemies (Deut. 10:17-19; Matt. 5:44).
12. If we love one another, of what is that evidence? If we love one another that is evidence that God’s Holy Spirit dwells in us (Deut. 34:9; 1 John 4:12-13).
13. How does Paul in Romans describe love? Paul writes that love does not mistreat others, therefore love is the fulfilling of the law (Rom. 13:19).
14. What pattern of love did Jesus recommend for his disciples? Jesus said that we should love one another as he loved us (John 12:15).
15. What did Jesus say would show the world that he was sent from God? The love we manifest for one another in the church shows that Jesus was sent from God to be the Saviour of the world (John 17:21-23).
The Fruit of Love
16. Is there room for our love to grow after we receive a new heart from God? After receiving a new heart there is still much room for our love to grow (Phil. 1:9; 1 Thes. 3:12).
17. As the result of what divine act is our love made perfect? Our love for God & for others is perfected as a result of God’s final judgment in which he blots out our sins & seals us with his perfecting Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 13:9-10; 1 John 4:10).
18. What actions does true love produce in the life? True love produces deeds of helpfulness & kindness to others, sacrificing our desires to meet their needs while rejoicing in the truth & bearing cheerfully the insults of others. It produces obedience to God’s Commandments (Deut. 5:10; 1 Cor. 13:4-8).
19. What do those whom God loves and who love him, gladly receive? Those who love God & are loved by him gladly receive his Word to them (Deut. 33:3).
20. What fruit did God promise would result from his love for his people and their love for him? God promised to bless & multiply his people, their children, their crops, & their herds above all other people; to deliver them from all sickness, & to give them victory in their endeavors (Deut. 7:13-15; 11:13-14, 22-23; 30:16).
by Rick Marin | Oct 13, 2021 | Deuteronomy
How long did would God’s covenant be in effect?
(Gen. 17:7; Deut. 4:13-5:21; 7:1-10; 9:5-6; Gal. 3:16) Blog Oct 10-16, 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: After wandering for forty years in the wilderness God’s people returned to the borders of the promised land and defeated Sihon, King of Heshbon, and Og, King of Bashan. There on the Plains of Moab beside the Jordan River they were seduced into adultery with the Midianites. It was then that Moses began his farewell address with a brief review of Israel’s history as recorded in the book of Deuteronomy. God inspired Moses to give this review so that his people would realize his loving care in their past history and trust him to give them good laws for their future wellbeing.
God’s Everlasting Covenant
1. With whom did God first make a covenant? The first covenant recorded in the Bible was made between God, the Father, & God, the Son, guaranteeing eternal life to all who are in the Son (Zech. 6:13; Tit. 1:2).
2. When God created humanity what covenant did he make with us? In the beginning of this habitable earth God made a covenant with the head of our race, giving us every good thing he had created except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, whose fruit he forbad us to eat on pain of death (Gen, 2:16-17; Hosea 6:7).
3. After Adam ate the forbidden fruit on what basis could God forgive his sin and offer a saving Substitute? God offered Adam & Eve forgiveness & a saving Substitute on the basis of the covenant he made with the Son before the foundation of the world (Gen. 3:15, 21; Rev. 13:8).
4. How was God’s saving covenant with humanity renewed after the flood? God promised Noah to never again destroy the earth by a flood & he renewed his covenant with humanity by making everlasting promises to Abraham and his “seed” (Gen. 9:15-17; 15:5-18).
5. Who does the Apostle Paul tell us was the real “seed” of promise that would come from Abraham’s loins? Jesus is the promised “Seed” of Abraham who was also the One who walked between the divided animals with his Father the night God renewed the everlasting covenant with Abraham (Gen. 15:17-18; Gal. 3:16).
6. If the “everlasting covenant” envelops God’s promise to send his Son as the Saviour of the world, what other term does the Bible use for what God was promising? In the “everlasting covenant” God promised a saving Substitute for humanity. What that Substitute accomplished is called the “everlasting Gospel” (Gen. 17:7; 1 Cor. 15:1-8; Gal. 3:8; 1 John 4:14; Rev. 14:6).
7. Since the Gospel is the story of Jesus’ immaculate conception, obedient life, & atoning death, how do those things become our fulfillment of the Law? What Jesus accomplished is counted ours when we believe the Gospel. Thus, we render to God all that the Law requires & out of love for the gift of God’s dear Son we put forth every effort to live according to it (John 14:15; Rom. 3:24-26; 4:22-25; 10:4).
8. How does the New Covenant describe God’s dealings with his people? In the New Covenant God promises to forgive & blot out the sins of those who enter it by faith & to write his laws in their hearts & give them his Holy Spirit as a resident Guide & Teacher (Jer. 31:31-34).
9. How might we briefly express the relationship between the Law and the Gospel? The Law is the Gospel embodied & the Gospel is the Law unfolded (Rom. 2:13; 10:4).
God’s Ongoing Covenant
10. In Deuteronomy 4, when Moses reminded his people of God’s Covenant given at Sinai which commandment did he dwell on? After reminding God’s people of the covenant made at Sinai, Moses emphasized the need for them to not make any image or likeness to represent the invisible God (Deut. 4:13-19; 23-29).
11. In an effort to remind his people of God’s covenant what does Moses do in chapter 5 of Deuteronomy? Moses repeats the words of the covenant that God spoke with a mighty voice & wrote on two tables of stone – the Ten Commandments (Ex. 34:28; Deut. 4:13; Deut. 5:1-21).
12. When Moses repeats the Ten Commandments in the plains of Moab what new emphasis does he place on the fourth commandment? In rehearsing the Ten Commandments at the end of the wilderness wanderings Moses emphasizes God’s deliverance from bondage as the reason to keep the seventh-day Sabbath (Deut. 5:15).
13. How long did Moses tell the people that this covenant would be in effect? Moses said: “God … keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations (Deut. 7:9).
14. What is the result of keeping God’s covenant? Those who, “keep… the words of this covenant, and do them… [shall] prosper in all that ye do.” (Deut. 7:12-15; 29:9).
God’s Promised Land
15. What land did Jesus say that believers would inherit? Jesus said that the meek would inherit the earth (after the millennium) (Matt. 5:5; Rev. 21:1-3).
16. What land did Paul say that God promised to Abraham? Paul clearly states that God promised this entire world to Abraham (& us) as an inheritance (Rom. 4:13).
17. While Jesus and Paul make clear that the “promised land” is the whole earth what specific portion did God promise the nation Israel as a preliminary fulfillment of his promise to Abraham? God promised the children of Israel the land of Canaan as an inheritance (Gen. 13:14-15; Psa. 105:11).
18. On what basis did God give his people a land of their own? God did not give his people a land of their own because of Israel’s size or righteousness, but rather out of mercy towards them & because he had made promises to their fathers (Deut. 7:5-9; 9:5-6).
19. On what basis could God give his people a land that belonged to someone else? God gave the children of Israel a territory that other nations possessed because those nations had so corrupted themselves that their probationary time had ceased, there was no hope of reform, & if allowed to remain would only corrupt others (Gen. 15:16; Deut. 7:1-5, 9-10; 9:5).
by Rick Marin | Oct 6, 2021 | Deuteronomy
Why did God tell Israel to entirely blot out men, women, and children?
(Deut. 1:1-4:14) Blog Oct. 3-9, 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: We have seen events that led up to Moses’ farewell address to God’s people as recorded in Deuteronomy: God entered into a covenant of love with them at Sinai, they rebelled at Sinai and at Kadesh Barnea, God gave that generation their wish to die in the wilderness, forty years later they peacefully skirted their relatives and defeated Sihon and Og, but Moses’ sin at Meribah, death by fiery serpents, and adultery with the Midianites stained their history just before they were to cross the Jordan River. It was from that book that Jesus met every temptation in the wilderness and that book brought reformation to God’s people in the days of King Josiah. In Deuteronomy we too can find help to meet temptation and inspiration to bring reformation on the borders of our Land of Promise
Moses’ Introduction
1. According to Holy Scripture, whose ideas was Moses going to communicate on the Plains of Moab? Scripture says that Moses spoke what the Lord had commanded him (Deut. 1:3).
2. As Moses begins his farewell address to God’s people, what is the first thing he wants them to remember? Moses begins his farewell address by recounting that after receiving the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, God told them to move on towards the promised land (Deut. 1:6-7).
3. How many days would it take for a normal traveler to walk from Mount Sinai to Kadesh Barnea? The journey from Mount Sinai to Kadesh Barnea was normally an eleven-day walk (Deut. 1:2).
4. With the delays because of complaining, because of the harvest of quails, and because of Miriam’s leprosy how long must it have taken Israel to journey from Sinai to Kadesh Barnea? The journey from Sinai to Kadesh Barnea must have taken Israel about ten months (Num. 10:11; Deut. 2:14).
5. What should we learn from God’s command “to move on” and Israel’s slow progress towards Canaan? God desires continual growth in grace even though our sinful natures hinder our progress in the Christian life (2 Pet. 3:18).
6. On what basis did God encourage his people to possess the promised land? God encouraged Israel (& he encourages us) to possess the promised land for he swore to give it to them (& to us) in his covenant of love made with Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob (Deut. 1:8).
Historical Ups and Downs
7. What was Moses’ attitude toward the growth in numbers of God’s people? Moses was very glad that God had greatly multiplied his people & prayed that they would multiply a thousand times more, but only in the light of the divinely approved plan to appoint levels of rulers over the people in an organized structure, otherwise, he admitted that it would be impossible to lead such a multitude (Deut. 1:9-18).
8. How did Moses as a good leader encourage God’s people to enter and take possession of the promised land? Moses encouraged God’s people saying: “Ye are come unto the mountain of the Amorites, which the LORD our God doth give unto us. Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged.” (Deut. 1:20-21).
9. When the twelve spies returned with their report in what did the majority of the people erroneously trust. At Kadesh Barnea the first time, God’s people erroneously trusted the word of men over the Word of God (Deut. 1:28; Psa. 118:8-9; Prov. 29:25).
10. When God suggested to Moses that he would blot out his rebellious people what intercessory argument did Moses present to God? Moses told God that all the nations would say, “Because the Lord was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness (Num. 14:16).
11. Why did God tell Israel to entirely blot out men, women, and children from the tribes whose territory they were to possess? Even God’s mercy has limits – the wickedness of the tribes Israel was to utterly destroy had passed the limits of God’s forbearance (that was not yet true in Genesis 15) & like the antediluvian world they had to be eradicated before their influence permeated all societies. God first judges & then executes his judgment. Like Nineveh these nations were given a 40-year extension (Gen. 6:3-8; 15:16; Josh. 2:8-11; Rom. 2:5-6; 2 Pet. 3:9; Rev. 20:15).
12. What important lesson should we learn from the fact that the men of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh were required to cross Jordan and fight alongside their brethren even though their territory had already been conquered? That the men from the 2 ½ tribes whose territory lay east of the Jordan were required to cross Jordan and fight alongside their brethren should teach us the level of harmony that should exist between different ministries in God’s church as they seek to conquer the world for Christ (Rom. 16:17-18; 1 Cor. 1:10).
13. How does Moses end the historical prologue of his farewell address? As he concludes his review of Israel’s history from Sinai to the plains of Moab, Moses recounts his request that God allow him also to enter the promised land & God’s response that he would only be allowed to see from far off & die on Mount Nebo (Deut. 3:23-27).
Why the History Lesson?
14. For what reason did God through Moses give the history lesson recorded in Deuteronomy 1-3? Deuteronomy chapter 4 begins with a clear statement as to why the address on the plains of Moab began with a history lesson: God wanted to remind his people of how he had led, protected, & disciplined them in love up to that point so they would trust his directions for how to live in the future (Deut. 4:1-5).
15. Besides the reminder of God’s past care and leading, what other reason is given in Deuteronomy 4, for obeying God’s directions? Moses tells God’s people that their obedience to God’s directions will be seen by other nations as wise understanding on the part of God’s people (Deut. 4:6-8).
16. What warning does Moses add after stating two reasons to obey God? Moses warns God’s people not to forget God’s leading in their past history & to teach that history to their children (Deut. 4:10).
17. What part of Israel’s history did Moses say they should especially remember? Moses told God’s people to especially remember the day God spoke the words of his covenant of love from Mount Sinai (Deut. 4:10-13).
18. In what way does reviewing God’s leading and instruction in our past history bring us confidence in his leading and courage to face the future? As we remember that God has led us beside still waters, in green pastures, & in paths of righteousness it gives us courage to face even the valley of the shadow of death for he has never left nor forsaken those who put their trust in him (Psa, 23:1-6; Matt. 28:20: Heb. 13:5-6).
