Deuteronomy

Moses begins his farewell speeches to Israel on the plains of Moab. He recounts the journey from Sinai to Kadesh Barnea, the appointment of leaders following Jethro's advice, and the disastrous decision to refuse entering Canaan after the spies' report. He reminds the new generation of the consequences of their parents' unbelief.

Moses recounts the wilderness journey, highlighting how God directed Israel to avoid conflict with Esau's descendants in Seir, Moab, and Ammon because God had given those lands to them. Israel then defeats King Sihon of Heshbon when he refuses to let them pass peacefully through his territory.

Moses recounts the defeat of King Og of Bashan, a giant whose iron bed was thirteen feet long. The Transjordan territory is distributed to Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. Moses pleads with God to let him enter the Promised Land, but God firmly refuses, telling him to look from Mount Pisgah instead.

Moses urges the new generation to obey God's commands without adding to or subtracting from them. He reminds them of the Baal Peor incident and warns against idolatry, since God is a consuming fire and jealous God. He speaks of God's uniqueness — no other nation has a god so near to them — and prophetically warns of future exile and restoration.

Moses restates the Ten Commandments to the new generation, emphasising that the covenant was made not just with their parents but with them who are alive today. He recounts how the people were terrified by God's voice from the fire and asked Moses to be their mediator. God approves their reverent fear.

Moses delivers the Shema — the foundational confession of Israel's faith: Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. He commands them to love God with all their heart, soul, and strength, and to teach God's words diligently to their children. He warns that prosperity in the Promised Land must not lead to forgetting God.

God commands Israel to completely destroy the seven Canaanite nations and make no treaties or intermarriages with them. He explains His choice of Israel is not because of their size but because of His love and His oath to the patriarchs. God promises to drive out the nations gradually and bless Israel with health, fertility, and victory.

Moses reminds Israel that God humbled and tested them in the wilderness for forty years to teach them dependence on Him. He taught them that man does not live by bread alone but by every word from God's mouth. Moses warns that when they prosper in the land, they must not forget God or claim their own power made them wealthy.

Moses clarifies that Israel is not receiving the land because of their righteousness — they are a stubborn people. He recounts the golden calf incident in detail, reminding them how close God came to destroying the nation and how Moses interceded for forty days and nights to avert their destruction.

God gives Moses new stone tablets to replace the broken ones and the ark is made to hold them. Moses recounts the death of Aaron and the setting apart of the Levites. He calls Israel to fear the Lord, walk in His ways, love and serve Him with all their heart. God defends the fatherless and widows and loves the foreigner.

Moses urges Israel to love God and keep His commands, recalling the mighty acts they witnessed — the plagues, the Red Sea crossing, and the swallowing of Dathan and Abiram. He presents the Promised Land as dependent on God's rain rather than irrigation, requiring ongoing trust. He sets before them blessing and curse.

Moses commands Israel to worship God only at the place He will choose, destroying all Canaanite worship sites — their altars, sacred stones, and Asherah poles. They must not worship God the way the Canaanites worship their gods. Eating meat is permitted anywhere, but sacrifices must be brought only to God's chosen place.

Moses warns against three sources of temptation to idolatry: false prophets who perform signs, close family members, and entire cities that turn away. Even if a prophet's sign comes true, if he leads people to other gods, he must be rejected. An idolatrous city must be completely destroyed as a devoted thing to the Lord.

God reaffirms the dietary laws distinguishing clean and unclean animals, largely repeating Leviticus 11. Israel is called a holy people and must not adopt pagan mourning practices. The chapter establishes tithing laws — a tenth of produce each year — and a special third-year tithe for Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows.

Every seventh year, debts among Israelites must be cancelled. Moses warns against being tightfisted toward the poor and commands generosity, promising that God will bless those who give freely. Hebrew servants must be released in the seventh year with generous provisions. The firstborn of flocks and herds are consecrated to God.

Moses restates the three annual pilgrimage festivals — Passover and Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks, and Feast of Tabernacles — when all males must appear before God at His chosen place. No one is to appear empty-handed, but each gives as he is able. Judges must be appointed in every city to administer impartial justice.

Laws address blemished sacrifices (forbidden), idolaters (to be investigated and stoned on multiple witnesses), and difficult legal cases (to be referred to the central court). Moses prophetically sets rules for future kings — the king must write his own copy of God's law and read it daily, not accumulate horses, wives, or wealth.

The Levites' inheritance is described as the Lord Himself and the offerings. Occult practices — divination, sorcery, mediums, spiritists — are strictly forbidden as detestable to God. Moses prophesies that God will raise up a prophet like himself from among the people, whom Israel must obey — a key Messianic prophecy.

Moses establishes three cities of refuge in the Promised Land for those who accidentally kill someone. Boundaries must not be moved. Two or three witnesses are required for any criminal charge, and false witnesses receive the punishment they intended for the accused — purging evil from Israel.

Laws of warfare are given. Before battle, priests encourage the army not to fear. Exemptions are granted for those who built new houses, planted vineyards, became engaged, or are afraid. When besieging distant cities, peace terms must first be offered. Fruit trees must not be cut down during siege.

Various laws address unsolved murders (a heifer ritual), rights of firstborn sons in polygamous households, rebellious sons (brought before elders), and the treatment of executed criminals whose bodies must not remain on a tree overnight. The ceremonial unsolved murder ritual demonstrates the seriousness of bloodguilt.

A collection of laws covers returning lost property, cross-dressing prohibition, protecting mother birds, building parapets on rooftops, and not mixing seeds, animals, or fabrics. Marriage laws address the case of a slandered bride, adultery, and sexual assault, with penalties distinguishing between consensual sin and victimhood.

Laws define who may enter the assembly of the Lord and exclude certain groups temporarily or permanently. Camp hygiene laws maintain purity in military camps where God walks. Escaped slaves must not be returned to their masters. Interest may not be charged to fellow Israelites, and vows must be fulfilled.

Laws address divorce (a certificate is required and remarriage after a second marriage is prohibited), pledges (a millstone cannot be taken), kidnapping (punishable by death), and fair treatment of hired workers (pay them promptly). Gleaning laws ensure food for foreigners, orphans, and widows.

Laws limit flogging to forty stripes, protect working oxen from being muzzled, and establish levirate marriage — a brother's duty to marry his deceased brother's widow to continue his name. Honest weights and measures are required. The chapter concludes with a command to remember and eventually destroy Amalek.

Moses prescribes two ceremonies for the Promised Land: offering firstfruits with a confession recounting God's rescue from Egypt, and presenting the third-year tithe with a declaration of obedience. The chapter concludes with the covenant declaration — God claims Israel as His treasured people and Israel claims Him as their God.

Moses commands Israel to set up large plastered stones inscribed with God's law upon entering the Promised Land. An altar of uncut stones is to be built on Mount Ebal. Six tribes will pronounce blessings from Mount Gerizim and six will pronounce curses from Mount Ebal. Twelve specific curses are declared for secret sins.

Moses presents the fullest statement of covenant blessings and curses. Blessings for obedience include prosperity, military victory, agricultural abundance, and honour among nations. Curses for disobedience are far more extensive — disease, drought, defeat, siege, exile, and scattering among the nations. The chapter prophetically describes events that would unfold centuries later.

Moses renews the covenant with the entire assembly — including future generations — reminding them that despite witnessing God's mighty acts, their hearts have not fully understood. He warns that secret idolatry will bring ruin and that the devastation of the land will be a witness to all nations. The secret things belong to God, but revealed things belong to Israel to obey.

Moses prophesies that after exile and judgment, if Israel returns to God wholeheartedly, He will restore their fortunes, gather them from all nations, and circumcise their hearts to love Him. He sets before them the ultimate choice: life and death, blessing and curse. He pleads with them to choose life by loving and obeying God.

Moses, now 120 years old, tells Israel he can no longer lead them and formally commissions Joshua as his successor. He writes down the law and entrusts it to the Levites to be read publicly every seven years. God warns Moses that Israel will eventually turn away, and commands him to write a song as a witness against them.

Moses recites the Song of Moses, a powerful poem recounting God's faithfulness and Israel's future unfaithfulness. It portrays God as the Rock, a faithful creator and father, while Israel is a perverse and crooked generation that will provoke God to jealousy with foreign gods. The song ends with God's ultimate vindication and mercy. God tells Moses to ascend Mount Nebo to view the land before he dies.

Before his death, Moses blesses each tribe individually, similar to Jacob's blessing in Genesis 49. Judah receives strength in battle, Levi the priesthood and teaching role, Joseph extraordinary fruitfulness, and Benjamin God's protection. The chapter opens and closes with majestic praise for God who rides the heavens to help His people.

Moses ascends Mount Nebo and God shows him the entire Promised Land — from Gilead to Dan, Naphtali, Ephraim, Manasseh, Judah to the western sea, and the Negev. Moses dies at 120 with his eyesight undiminished and his vigour unabated. God buries him in an unknown location. Joshua succeeds him, but the text notes that no prophet like Moses has since arisen in Israel.