Deuteronomy - part 3

 Deuteronomy 23-34 (These are my notes from my reading.)

If you knew you were about to die, what would your last words be?  The end of Deuteronomy gives us Moses' last words.  God tells him that he is not going with the people, that he is about to die.  So Moses continues to remind them of the Law.  He gives them an exercise of blessing and cursing and stone memorials when they cross the Jordan to remind them why they are there.  He mediates a covenant between Israel and God while they are in Moab.  Moses even tells them that he knows they will break the covenant and suffer all the curses God has pronounced for disobedience.  But he also encourages them with what will happen when they return to the Lord even while exiled in foreign lands.  Moses reminds them that they are chosen by God, for God, because of God and God is faithful even when we are not.  Moses challenges the people to choose life by choosing God and being obedient, even knowing that they will, as they have in the past, choose idolatry and disobedience.

Moses takes some time to pass the torch - to encourage Joshua, the next leader.  He gives Joshua and the elders a song to teach Israel as yet another reminder of who God is and what He has done and promised to do.  This song encourages Israel to be faithful, to trust in God alone, and to know that He will deliver the land to them.  Moses blesses each tribe, just as Jacob did on his death bed.

Moses gets one final blessing on this earth.  God takes him up to Mount Nebo and shows him all the land He is giving to Israel.  He assures Moses that He will be faithful and do as He promised.  Then Moses, the great friend of God, the leader of His people, dies.  God Himself buries him.  The story of Israel turns the page to a new chapter with Joshua as leader and conquest on their agenda.  Many great leaders arise in Israel, but none so close to God as Moses.  Let us say with Moses, "let me know Your ways that I may know You" (Exodus 33:13).

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