Deuteronomy 29: A Covenant Remembered, A Future Secured
These are the words of the covenant, which the Lord commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb.
And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land;
The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles:
Yet the Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.
And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.
Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I am the Lord your God.
And when ye came unto this place, Sihon the king of Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, came out against us unto battle, and we smote them:
And we took their land, and gave it for an inheritance unto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh.
Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.
Ye stand this day all of you before the Lord your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, with all the men of Israel,
Your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that is in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water:
That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the Lord thy God, and into his oath, which the Lord thy God maketh with thee this day:
That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath;
But with him that standeth here with us this day before the Lord our God, and also with him that is not here with us this day:
(For ye know how we have dwelt in the land of Egypt; and how we came through the nations which ye passed by;
And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:)
Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;
And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:
The Lord will not spare him, but then the anger of the Lord and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the Lord shall blot out his name from under heaven.
And the Lord shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law:
So that the generation to come of your children that shall rise up after you, and the stranger that shall come from a far land, shall say, when they see the plagues of that land, and the sicknesses which the Lord hath laid upon it;
And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the Lord overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:
Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the Lord done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger?
Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt:
For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them:
And the anger of the Lord was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book:
And the Lord rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day.
The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
Deuteronomy 29 serves as a powerful reminder of God's covenant with Israel, urging them to remember His faithfulness and choose obedience for future blessings. This chapter bridges the past, present, and future, emphasizing the importance of covenant faithfulness for individual and national success. It also speaks to us today, calling us to live under God's covenant through Jesus Christ.
The Lord's Covenant Through Moses (Deuteronomy 29:1)
Moses reminds the Israelites that the covenant's words originated from the Lord, delivered through him. God initiated the covenant and established its parameters, demonstrating His sovereignty. Moses served as God's chosen representative, mediating the covenant. Rejecting Moses was tantamount to rejecting God, as he spoke God's words. This principle holds true for us as Christians: rejecting Christ is rejecting God. We, as members of God's kingdom and participants in the new covenant, are called to live in obedience to the covenant mediator, Jesus Christ.
Remembering God's Deliverance and Provision (Deuteronomy 29:2-8)
Moses revisits Israel's history, recounting God's actions in Egypt and their journey through the wilderness. He highlights God's miraculous deliverance and sustaining power. Yet, Moses makes a poignant observation: "Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear" (Deuteronomy 29:4). Despite witnessing God's incredible acts, they had not fully grasped their spiritual significance. Understanding God's perspective is crucial. Without it, we might misinterpret our own history, attributing blessings to luck or resourcefulness rather than recognizing God's hand. Every blessing, provision, and victory comes from the Lord. Recognizing this dependence fosters humility and encourages covenant faithfulness.
Moses continues by reminding them of God's provision during their forty years in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 29:5) and their conquests in the Transjordan. He urges them to remember, see, and understand that God has provided for them thus far and can be trusted with their future. History itself isn't self-explanatory.
The Call to Obedience and Success (Deuteronomy 29:9)
In light of God's faithfulness, the Israelites are called to follow His covenant so that they might succeed in everything they do. Covenant faithfulness is essential for success, including victory over enemies, fruitful harvests and families, and the ability to overcome circumstances. God's covenants are designed to benefit His people. As members of the new covenant, Christians trust in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins. But, as His people, we are also called to live by the principles of and under the cover of His covenant. Operating within God's covenant allows us to experience the flow of His power.
Entering the Covenant: A New Generation's Opportunity (Deuteronomy 29:10-15)
The Israelites stand before the Lord with Moses to enter into the covenant (Deuteronomy 29:10-12). Their parents had failed to receive the promised land due to disobedience, but this new generation is given an opportunity. God will fulfill His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deuteronomy 29:13), but it requires Israel's obedience. The Lord looks ahead to future generations, calling on His listeners to obey God not only for their own blessings but also for the sake of their children and grandchildren (Deuteronomy 29:14-15).
A Warning Against Idolatry and Its Bitter Fruit (Deuteronomy 29:16-18)
Moses issues a stark warning against turning from the Lord to idolatry, reminding them that even a small root of sin can bear poisonous and bitter fruit (Deuteronomy 29:18) that will bring God's judgment. The author of Hebrews echoes this warning, urging readers to ensure that "no root of bitterness springs up" among them (Hebrews 12:15). Difficult circumstances can lead to bitterness and sin, potentially poisoning the entire fellowship of believers. When facing trials, believers need the encouragement and comfort of the body of Christ.
The Consequences of Disobedience (Deuteronomy 29:19-28)
Moses emphasizes that no one is exempt from the consequences of disobedience (Deuteronomy 29:19). Selfish thinking can lead to the ruin of the whole land and bring every curse written in Deuteronomy down on the offender (Deuteronomy 29:20). Nothing is hidden from God, and He will punish those guilty of such thoughts (Deuteronomy 29:21). He vividly describes the destruction of Israel for idolatry, comparing it to the devastation of Sodom and Gomorrah (Deuteronomy 29:23). The surrounding nations would be shocked at such devastation and would question its cause (Deuteronomy 29:24). The answer would be that Israel had forsaken its covenant with the true God and worshiped false gods, leading to destruction and exile (Deuteronomy 29:25-28).
The Revealed and the Hidden (Deuteronomy 29:29)
It's impossible for us to know everything about God. As Paul declares, "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and untraceable his ways!" (Romans 11:33). God is infinite and transcendent. Whatever knowledge He chooses to keep from us is beyond our ability to obtain. Nevertheless, He has revealed everything we need to know. God's Holy Word contains all that we (and our children) need to understand, trust, and obey Him. While the mysteries of God are vast, He has graciously revealed what is necessary for us to live a life of faith and obedience.
These are the words of the covenant, which the Lord commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb.
And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land;
The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles:
Yet the Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.
And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.
Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I am the Lord your God.
And when ye came unto this place, Sihon the king of Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, came out against us unto battle, and we smote them:
And we took their land, and gave it for an inheritance unto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh.
Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.
Ye stand this day all of you before the Lord your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, with all the men of Israel,
Your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that is in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water:
That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the Lord thy God, and into his oath, which the Lord thy God maketh with thee this day:
That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath;
But with him that standeth here with us this day before the Lord our God, and also with him that is not here with us this day:
(For ye know how we have dwelt in the land of Egypt; and how we came through the nations which ye passed by;
And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:)
Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;
And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:
The Lord will not spare him, but then the anger of the Lord and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the Lord shall blot out his name from under heaven.
And the Lord shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law:
So that the generation to come of your children that shall rise up after you, and the stranger that shall come from a far land, shall say, when they see the plagues of that land, and the sicknesses which the Lord hath laid upon it;
And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the Lord overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:
Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the Lord done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger?
Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt:
For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them:
And the anger of the Lord was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book:
And the Lord rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day.
The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
Deuteronomy 29 serves as a powerful reminder of God's covenant with Israel, urging them to remember His faithfulness and choose obedience for future blessings. This chapter bridges the past, present, and future, emphasizing the importance of covenant faithfulness for individual and national success. It also speaks to us today, calling us to live under God's covenant through Jesus Christ.
The Lord's Covenant Through Moses (Deuteronomy 29:1)
Moses reminds the Israelites that the covenant's words originated from the Lord, delivered through him. God initiated the covenant and established its parameters, demonstrating His sovereignty. Moses served as God's chosen representative, mediating the covenant. Rejecting Moses was tantamount to rejecting God, as he spoke God's words. This principle holds true for us as Christians: rejecting Christ is rejecting God. We, as members of God's kingdom and participants in the new covenant, are called to live in obedience to the covenant mediator, Jesus Christ.
Remembering God's Deliverance and Provision (Deuteronomy 29:2-8)
Moses revisits Israel's history, recounting God's actions in Egypt and their journey through the wilderness. He highlights God's miraculous deliverance and sustaining power. Yet, Moses makes a poignant observation: "Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear" (Deuteronomy 29:4). Despite witnessing God's incredible acts, they had not fully grasped their spiritual significance. Understanding God's perspective is crucial. Without it, we might misinterpret our own history, attributing blessings to luck or resourcefulness rather than recognizing God's hand. Every blessing, provision, and victory comes from the Lord. Recognizing this dependence fosters humility and encourages covenant faithfulness.
Moses continues by reminding them of God's provision during their forty years in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 29:5) and their conquests in the Transjordan. He urges them to remember, see, and understand that God has provided for them thus far and can be trusted with their future. History itself isn't self-explanatory.
The Call to Obedience and Success (Deuteronomy 29:9)
In light of God's faithfulness, the Israelites are called to follow His covenant so that they might succeed in everything they do. Covenant faithfulness is essential for success, including victory over enemies, fruitful harvests and families, and the ability to overcome circumstances. God's covenants are designed to benefit His people. As members of the new covenant, Christians trust in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins. But, as His people, we are also called to live by the principles of and under the cover of His covenant. Operating within God's covenant allows us to experience the flow of His power.
Entering the Covenant: A New Generation's Opportunity (Deuteronomy 29:10-15)
The Israelites stand before the Lord with Moses to enter into the covenant (Deuteronomy 29:10-12). Their parents had failed to receive the promised land due to disobedience, but this new generation is given an opportunity. God will fulfill His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deuteronomy 29:13), but it requires Israel's obedience. The Lord looks ahead to future generations, calling on His listeners to obey God not only for their own blessings but also for the sake of their children and grandchildren (Deuteronomy 29:14-15).
A Warning Against Idolatry and Its Bitter Fruit (Deuteronomy 29:16-18)
Moses issues a stark warning against turning from the Lord to idolatry, reminding them that even a small root of sin can bear poisonous and bitter fruit (Deuteronomy 29:18) that will bring God's judgment. The author of Hebrews echoes this warning, urging readers to ensure that "no root of bitterness springs up" among them (Hebrews 12:15). Difficult circumstances can lead to bitterness and sin, potentially poisoning the entire fellowship of believers. When facing trials, believers need the encouragement and comfort of the body of Christ.
The Consequences of Disobedience (Deuteronomy 29:19-28)
Moses emphasizes that no one is exempt from the consequences of disobedience (Deuteronomy 29:19). Selfish thinking can lead to the ruin of the whole land and bring every curse written in Deuteronomy down on the offender (Deuteronomy 29:20). Nothing is hidden from God, and He will punish those guilty of such thoughts (Deuteronomy 29:21). He vividly describes the destruction of Israel for idolatry, comparing it to the devastation of Sodom and Gomorrah (Deuteronomy 29:23). The surrounding nations would be shocked at such devastation and would question its cause (Deuteronomy 29:24). The answer would be that Israel had forsaken its covenant with the true God and worshiped false gods, leading to destruction and exile (Deuteronomy 29:25-28).
The Revealed and the Hidden (Deuteronomy 29:29)
It's impossible for us to know everything about God. As Paul declares, "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and untraceable his ways!" (Romans 11:33). God is infinite and transcendent. Whatever knowledge He chooses to keep from us is beyond our ability to obtain. Nevertheless, He has revealed everything we need to know. God's Holy Word contains all that we (and our children) need to understand, trust, and obey Him. While the mysteries of God are vast, He has graciously revealed what is necessary for us to live a life of faith and obedience.