Deuteronomy chapters 1-3 Summary

Overview of Deuteronomy

• Deuteronomy is the fifth and final book of the Pentateuch
• It has been described as “A Copy of This Law,” “This Second Law,” and “Words.”
• It summarizes the Israelites' journey from Egypt to Moses' death and is divided into 34 chapters
• Chapters 1-3 summarize Israel’s journeys and conquests

Key Events in Chapters 1-3

• Chapter 1, verses 1-5 provide information about Israel's location and the duration of their travels
• Chapter 1, verses 7-14 reveal God's intentions for the Israelites
• Chapter 1 also highlights Moses' overwhelming responsibility
• Chapter 1 describes Moses' governmental structure, with leaders appointed over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, acting as judges
• Chapter 1 specifies that judges were to give God's judgment, or refer to a superior
• Chapter 1 recounts the sending of twelve spies into the Promised Land, their return with fruit, and their declaration that it was a good land
• The people refused to enter the land due to giants and fortified cities, which caused them to complain and discourage others
• Moses encouraged them, affirming God's help, but the people didn't believe
• God declared that only Joshua and Caleb from the military census generation would enter the Promised Land
• Moses was also barred from entering the Promised Land due to disobedience
• Moses instructed the new generation to encourage Joshua, who would lead them to their inheritance
• God said the children of those refusing to enter would possess the land
• Rebellious Israelites were sent back to the wilderness by way of the Red Sea
• Later, they attempted to enter the Promised Land against Moses' advice, resulting in defeat
• Verses 1-23 of chapter 2 recount Israelite journeys
• Israelites were forbidden to fight Esau, Moab, and Ammon, as God would not give their lands to Israel
• Israelites destroyed King Sihon and his people, taking their territory
• Chapter 3 recalls the conquest of Og, and the distribution of land east of the Jordan to Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh
• Moses' request to enter the Promised Land was denied, and Joshua was affirmed as his successor

Core Principles and Instructions in Chapters 4-7

• Chapters 4-6 reiterate the covenant and Moses' instructions
• Moses reminds the Israelites of God's statutes, judgments, and actions, urging them to follow God's commands in Deuteronomy 4
• Chapter 5 reiterates the Ten Commandments and Israel's and God's responses
• Chapter 6 provides instructions for teaching children the will of God
• Chapter 7 commands the Israelites to conquer the Promised Land and destroy designated peoples
• Obedience to God will result in blessings
• The principle for possessing the Promised Land is "little by little"
• Promised blessings are not always given all at once

Remembering God and His Covenant (Chapters 8-10)

• Chapters 8-10 emphasize remembering God, review Israel's rebellions, Moses' intercession, and God's mercy
• Chapter 8 reveals that hardships humble and test
• Israelites were warned against taking credit for God's actions
• God provides the power to gain wealth to establish His covenant
• Moses warned of Israel's certain destruction if they turned away from God
• Chapter 9 cautions against thinking Israel's goodness led to possessing the Promised Land
• The inhabitants were dispossessed due to their wickedness, not Israel's goodness
• Abraham's covenant and Moses' intercession prevented Israel's destruction, despite their rebelliousness
• God's instructions for the second giving of the Ten Commandments are recapped
• The tribe of Levi was chosen to serve the Lord and received no inheritance among their brethren; God was their inheritance
• God spared Israel through Moses' intercession and commanded them to possess the Promised Land

Laws, Judgments, and Commandments (Chapters 10-11)

• Requirements to fear God, walk in His ways, love Him, and serve Him wholeheartedly (Deuteronomy 10:12-13)
• Moses gave Israel an admonition to love and serve God
• Deuteronomy 10:16 introduces "circumcision of the heart"
• Chapter 11 commands studying, obeying, and teaching God's commandments
• Obedience ensures victory
• Blessings come through obedience, curses through disobedience
• Blessing and curse pronouncements occurred on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal respectively

Statutes, Laws, and Judgments (Chapters 12-26)

• Chapters 12-26 offer instructions concerning statues, laws, and judgments
• Chapter 12 commands destroying idol worship, building an acceptable altar, avoiding idolatry, abstaining from blood, and caring for Levites
• Chapter 13 warns against false prophets, tests of God, and punishments for misrepresenting God
• Chapter 14 declares Israel a holy nation, identifies clean and unclean animals, and documents tithing laws
• Chapter 15 reveals God's method for economic balance
• Blessing relates to obedience, making one the lender, not borrower
• Chapter 15 covers slave liberation and firstborn male dedication
• Chapter 16 emphasizes the three annual feasts requiring males to go to Jerusalem, and gives instructions on judgment and justice
• Chapter 17 warns against dishonoring God with unacceptable sacrifices and serving other gods
• It gives instructions for future kings of Israel
• Chapter 18 documents the priest's portion of sacrifices
• It prohibits abominable practices and false prophecy
• Deuteronomy 18:15 prophesies of a prophet like Moses, fulfilled by Jesus
• Prophecies must come to pass to be considered true(Deuteronomy 18:22)
• Jonah's prophecy to Nineveh illustrates God's mercy, as Nineveh was spared due to repentance
• Chapter 19 provides protection for unintentional killings and mandates "two witnesses" for a conviction
• Chapter 20 gives instructions concerning war
• Chapter 21 records laws on murder, marriage, and rebellious children

Further Laws and Proclamations

• Deuteronomy 21:23 declares anyone hanged on a tree accursed by God, fulfilled by Jesus' crucifixion
• Chapter 22 documents laws concerning property, clothing, animals, houses, sowing seeds, and marriage
• Chapter 23 records laws concerning assembly restrictions and stipulations on interest for brethren versus foreigners
• Restrictions on vows, who should get them
• Rules on eating from someone else's vineyard or field
• Chapters 24-25 deal with civil laws
• Chapter 26 documents procedures for presenting tithes to the Lord and charges given to Israel
• Chapter 27 proclaims curses from Mount Ebal
• Chapter 28 declares blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience

Disobedience, Repentance, and Moses's Final Words

• Chapters 29-30 cover the results of disobedience and repentance
• Moses reminds the Israelites of God's faithfulness in preserving their clothing and shoes
• He warns them against breaking their covenant with God
• Deuteronomy 29:29 states, “the things revealed belong to us; the things that are not revealed belong to God.”
• Chapter 30 records provision for repentance, the choice between life and death, blessing and cursing, and Moses' recommendation

Moses's Charge and Song

• Chapter 31 depicts Moses charging Joshua and Israel, and records Israel's future sins
• Chapter 32 contains the prophetic "Song of Moses," given by God as a witness against the children of Israel
• The principle of "one chasing a thousand and two putting ten thousand to flight” is recorded in this song
• On the day Moses spoke the song he ascended Mount Nebo to view the Promised Land and die

Moses's Blessing and Death

• Chapter 33 conveys Moses' blessings to each of the twelve tribes of Israel, excluding Simeon by omission (it is not blessed)
• Chapter 34 recounts Moses' ascent of Mount Nebo, seeing the Promised Land, his death, burial, and his greatness
• Joshua receives the children of Israel as Moses' successor
• Joshua was full of wisdom because Moses laid his hands on him
• "Impartation and separation" are illustrated through the laying on of hands
• At the time of writing Deuteronomy, no one could compare with Moses' power and might
• Deuteronomy 18:15 foretells a prophet like Moses: "The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear"