DBG - March 4 - Deuteronomy 9-11

In this chapter Moses warns Israel to not into self-righteousness, and give a history reminder of their shortcomings. 

vs. 1-6 – A warning against self-righteousness when they enter the land.

vs. 7-24 – A review of Israel’s failures, from the Golden Calf to the failure to enter the land at Kadesh-Barnea.  In vs. 18  there are two separate forty days’ fast is mentioned.  The first one is the 40 days and 40 nights Moses spent on Sinai before the Golden Calf incident and the second is 40 days after it in Exodus 34:28.   Note vs. 24 where Moses chimes in with his own testimony in the matter.

vs. 25-29 – Moses recalls his intercession for the people.  The 40 days of vs. 25 are the second 40 days in Exodus 34:28

In this chapter Moses continues his historical review from Chapter 9 and then begins a wonderful section on God’s relationship with Israel.

vs. 1-11 – Moses speaks about the that second 40 days in Exodus 34:28.  There is a parenthetical passage in vs. 6-7 that takes place later when Aaron died in Numbers 20:29, then vs. 8 returns to the second 40 days at Sinai. The reason for this is not very clear, but I think it has to do with a thematic connection between the new stone tablets, which were kept in the Ark of the Covenant under that care of Aaron and the Levites.

vs. 12-22 – This beautiful section describes God’s love for Israel and His expectations from His people.  We see here that that the Law is far more than just a list of requirements from God.  In vs. 13 it is for their good.  In vs. 16 we see the deeper effect of the Law, to affect the consecration of the heart.

In this chapter Moses continues speaking about the relationship between God and Israel.

vs. 1-9 – Note the opening “Therefore”.  This section builds on the closing section of Chapter 10.  This is a charge to not only obey God but to do so out of love.  In vs. 6, there is a reference to the rebellion of Korah in Numbers 16.

vs. 10-32 – Here is one of the great themes of Deuteronomy.  God is ready and willing to bless His people.  This is spelled out clearly in vs. 26-28.  There are two ways set before Israel.  They can serve God and enjoy His blessing, or they can reject Him and face His wrath.  The decision is up to the people.  The closing verses about Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Ebal refer to an event that will be covered in Chapter 27.

So often we fail into a trap of seeing the Law as harsh and even feel that God is uncaring.  Passages such as we have read today blow that false view away.  God loves and cares for His own. 

Our hymn today, “Teach Me, My God and King”, was written in 1633 by George Herbert.  It is inspired in part by Deuteronomy 10:12-22.

Teach me, my God and King,
In all things Thee to see,
And what I do in anything
To do it as for Thee.

A man that looks on glass,
On it may stay his eye;
Or if he pleaseth, through it pass,
And then the heaven espy.

To scorn the senses’ sway,
While still to Thee I tend:
In all I do be Thou the way,
In all be Thou the end.

All may of Thee partake;
Nothing so small can be
But draws, when acted for Thy sake,
Greatness and worth from Thee.

If done to obey Thy laws,
E’en servile labors shine;
Hallowed is toil, if this the cause,
The meanest work divine.

This is the famous stone
That turneth all to gold;
For that which God doth touch and own
Cannot for less be sold.