Bible Discussion Thread

Now I embark on the last book of the Torah=Deuteronomy.

The Israelites are camped east of the Jordan on the plains of Moab. Over the next 40 days, Moses will teach this new generation how God had brought them out of Egypt with mighty miracles, how God spoke to Moses on Mt. Sinai, commissioning Moses to deliver His Law and the terms of the covenant God will make with the nation, how the nation rebelled at the border of the promised land and thus spent 40 years wandering in the desert until all who came out of Egypt over the age of 20 died.

This is a new generation, the oldest being below the age of 40 with the exception of Moses, Joshua, and Caleb. Most did not personally experience the miraculous exodus from Egypt nor the events at Sinai. It was important for this generation to receive instruction as to the covenant and law given to the nation, be reminded about the promises God had made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to learn from Moses how to live in relationship to God.

Moses knew that His life was almost at its end. God had said so. He must give over this people he has led for 40 years to Joshua and Caleb and Eleazar. But ultimately, he gives them over in submission to God. He knew that there was much to relay to this nation and so most likely he wanted to be sure to put first things first in what he delivered to the people. He needed to follow the lead of God in all of this and not seek his own way.