Search The Scriptures —Study 16 — Deuteronomy 22 and 23

Study 1 6 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 22 and 23

  
These laws are connected mainly with the sixth and seventh commandments.

1.      22:1-21. In what ways do these laws safeguard life, property and reputation, and this put into operation the sixth commandment and the law of love to one’s neighbour?

2.     22:13-30.  How do these laws uphold the principle of chastity implicit in the seventh commandment? How do the laws and customs of our contemporary society compare?

3.      23: 1-25. What steps were to be taken to maintain the purity of the congregation and thus of the worship of God. How is this applied in the New Testament to the Church on earth and to Heaven itself? Cf. 1 Cor. 5; Rev. 21:27, and see study 13.

Notes

1.      22:5. The distinction of the sexes, even in outward appearance, ought to be strictly maintained.

2.     22:9-11. Applied spiritually, these law forbid the association of things morally incompatible; cf. 2 Cor. 6:14-16

3.     22:14, 17. ‘The tokens of virginity’: i.e., the sheet, which became stained with blood on the first coitus.

4.     23:15, 16. The reference appears to be a slave fleeing form a foreign country, and taking refuge in a city of Israel.

                                                                    

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Search The Scriptures —Study 15 — Deuteronomy 20 and 21

Study 15 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 20 and 21

These laws relate indirectly to the sixth commandment and God’s requirements of perfect justice in all walks of life.

1.      What general principles may be deduced from chapter 20 regarding (a) the conduct of military warfare, and (b) spiritual warfare in the army of Christ?  Cf. Lk, 14:25-33.

2.     What illustration do these chapters give both of the compassion and the severity of God?

3.     What application do the writers of the New Testament make of 21:22, 23? Cf. Jn. 19:31; Gal. 3: 13; 1 Pet. 2:24.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 14 — Deuteronomy 18 and 19

Study 14 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 18 and 19

In chapter 18 the offices of priest and prophet are included in the civil law since, Israel being a theocracy, these men were part of the government. Chapter 19 begins the section of laws governing social life, which are the detailed application of the last six commandments.

1.      What were the special ministries of priests and prophets? Observe in chapter 18 how both alike were God’s provision for His people’s needs.  Of what kind of person in heathen religion did the prophets in Israel take the place? How may we still distinguish between true and false prophets?   Cf. Is. 8:19, 20; 2Pet. 1:19; 2:12.

2.     In whom was the prophecy of 18:18, 19 finally fulfilled? See Acts 3:22, 23; 7:37. Do we listen to Him as we should? Cf. Mk. 9:7.

3.     In what way do the regulations concerning cities of refuge both protect against injustice and at the same time enforce just penalty? See further Nu. 35.

4.     How do the regulations of chapter 19 seek to apply the spirit as well as the letter of the sixth (verses 1-4), eighth (verse 14) and ninth (verses 15-21) commandments respectively?

Note 19:14. This law is intended to guard the inheritance of the poor against the greed of wealthy neighbours. Cf. 27:17; Pr. 23:10, 11.

                                                             

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Search The Scriptures —Study 13 — Deuteronomy 16 and 17

Study 1 3 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 16 and 17

At 16:18 the section on the civil law commences. Here we have (a) the appointment and duties of judges (16:18-20); (b) justice in matters of religious (16:21-17:7); the final court of appeal (17:8-13); (d) the appointment and duties of the king (17:14-20).

1.      In connection with the Feast of Weeks and the Fear of Tabernacles, what two requirements are made of the worshipper, and why? With regard to free-will offerings, on what principle is the amount of the gift to be determined? Cf. 1 Cor. 16:2; 2Cor. 8:12; 1 Pet. 1:8

2.     What does 17:2-7 teach us about the need for church discipline? Cf. Mt. 18:15-18; 1 Cor. 5; 1 Tim. 1:19, 20; Tit. 3:9-11.

3.     What was to be the character of Israel’s king if one were appointed, and what was to be the source of his wisdom? Cf. 2 Tim. 3:15-17.

Notes

1.      16:21. The Asherah appears to have been a pole, planted by an altar, as a symbol of the god worshipped there.

2.     17:8-13.  If a case is too difficult for the local judge to handle (see 16:18-20), it is to be brought to the central sanctuary.

3.     17:16, 17. Noticed the word ‘multiply’ three times.  Horses (power), wives and wealth were coveted by kings of the time. Cf. 1 Ki. 10:26-28; 11:3,4.                                     

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Search The Scriptures —Study 12 — Deuteronomy 14:15

Study 12 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 14:15

These two chapters contain laws concerning (a) funeral practices (14:1, 2); (b) clean and unclean foods (14:3-21); tithing (14:22-29); (d) the seventh year or year of release (15:1-18); (e) firstling males of the herd of flock (15:19-23).

1.      The principle underlying the laws of chapter 14 is that Christians are to behave differently from the world. What do we learn here concerning the Christians’ attitude (a) to death and bereavement (verses 1, 2; cf. 1 Thes. 4:13); (b) to food and bodily indulgence (verse 3-21; cf. 1: Cor. 6:12, 13; 10:23, 31); (c) to money and possessions (verses 22-28; cf. 1 Cor. 16:2)?

2.     What do the laws of chapter 15 teach concerning (a) redemption through Christ; (b) the Christian’s duty of putting the need of his brother before his own rights (cf. Mt. 5:38-42); (c) equality in the Church of God (cf. Acts 2: 44; 4:34; 2 Cor. 8:14)?

Notes

1.       14: 1b.  A reference to heathen mourning practices, signifying excessive grief.

2.      15:1. ‘Grant a release’: i.e., let the debtor off.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 11 — Deuteronomy 12 and 13

Study 11 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 12 and 13

In the analysis of the book of Deuteronomy, the first part of this code of Law sets forth regulations governing the practice of religion, and is thus a detailed application of the first four commandments.

1.      How does chapter 12 relate to the first commandment and chapter 13 to the second?

2.     How does the regulation of chapter 13 demonstrate the priority of God’s will over alleged ‘results’ respect of person, ties of blood and great numbers?  Cf. Mk. 13:22; Gal. 1:8; 2:11; Lk. 14:26; Acts 4: 19:20.

Note. The provision of one sanctuary to which all sacrifices must be brought was a safeguard against idolatrous worship at ancient shrines of the Canaanites.  Cf. 2 Ki. 17: 10-12.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 10 — Deuteronomy 10:12 - 11:32

Study 10 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 10:12 - 11:32

Moses here use two main arguments to persuade the people to obedience: (a). In 10:12 – 11:12 he shows that certain attributes and methods of God demand a corresponding response from His people. (b) In 11:13 – 32 he uses the rewards of obedience and the punishments of disobedience as incentives.  This raises the following questions:

1.      What specifically are the attributes and ways of God particularized in 10:12 – 11:12 and what are their corresponding demands?

2.     What rewards and punishments for obedience and disobedience are specified in 11: 13-32?

Notes

1.      10:12. ‘What … but …?’ does not mean these demands are slight, and His calling of Israel to be His people. Cf. Mi. 6:8.

2.     11:30. ‘Moreh’:  where the Lord appeared to Abraham; see Gn. 12: 6, 7.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 9 — Deuteronomy 9: 1 - 10:11

Study 9 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 9: 1 - 10:11

1.      After they conquered the promised land, what further danger would follow on the heels of victory? How does Moses in this passage seek to safeguard them against it? Cf. Lk. 18:9-14.

2.     What does the example of Moses teach as to the responsibility and power of intercessory prayer?  Note the costly nature of his prayer and the uncompromising dealing with sin that accompanied it. On what grounds did Moses base his plea for the people, and what was the outcome? Cf. Jas. 5:16.

3.     The incident as a whole demonstrates that God’s dealings with His people are entirely of grace.  It thus illustrates aspects of the saving grace of God revealed in the New Testament.  Try to discover how the following points are illustrated in this Chapter: (a) the combination of grace and justice (Rom. 3:24-26); (b) the triumph of grace over sin (Eph. 2:5; Rom. 5:20, 21); (c) the provision of a mediator (Heb. 8:6; 9:15); (d) the establishment of a covenant (1 Cor. 11:25).   

Note. 9:22. ‘Taberah’ ‘burning’: see Nu. 11:1-3.  ‘Massah’: ‘proving’; see Ex. 17:7; cf. Dt. 6:16. ‘Kilbroth-hattaavah’: graves of lust’; see Nu. 11:34.  

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Search The Scriptures —Study 8 — Deuteronomy 8

Study 8 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 8

1.   What threefold purples did God have in leading Israel through the experiences of the wilderness? How did our Lord apply verse 3b to His own case in Mt. 4:4? With verse 5 cf. also Heb. 12:7, 10, 11

2.   In days of prosperity what subtle danger would beset them, and how were they to guard against it? Compare the advice which Barnabas gave to the Church in Antioch (Acts 11:23b).

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Search The Scriptures —Study 7 — Deuteronomy 7

Study 7 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 7

1.      In what four ways were the Israelites to deal with the idolatrous inhabitants of Canaan (verses 1-5)? What points regarding the Christian’s duty of separation from sin and the world do they illustrate? Cf. Eph. 5:11; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; Jn. 5:21.

2.     In verses 6-11 what three reasons does God give the people for this drastic attitude? What New Testament principles correspond to this? Cf. 1 Pet. 1:15, 16; 2:9-12.

3.     In verses 12-16 what three blessings does God promise will attend the faithful pursuit of this policy? What blessings are promised in the New Testament to the Christian who practises spiritual separation?  Cf. 2 Cor. 6:17, 16; 1 Jn. 2:15-17.

4.     In verses 18-26 how does God answer their question of verse 17? What does this teach about the power given to the Christian to ‘be separate’? Cf. 2 Cor. 14-16; Jn. 16:33; Rom. 5:10; 1 Jn. 5:4.

Notes

1.       Verse 2. ‘Utterly destroy’: The Hebrew word means ‘to separate to a deity’ and hence ‘to put to death’ or ‘destroy’ as here, and in verse 25, 26.

5.   Verse 20. ‘Hornets’ are powerful insects, whose attack in large numbers is dangerous and may prove fatal. Some take the word, however, here and in Ex. 23:28 and Jos. 24:12, in a figurative sense, as meaning some plague or terror that spreads dismay.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 6 — Deuteronomy 6

Study 6 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 6

In chapters 6-10 Moses outlines some general implications of the ten commandments before proceeding to apply them in detail to particular situations.

1.      What was God’s purpose in giving the law, and what was the primary duty of the Israelites? What was he to do, and what was he to beware of an not to do?

2.     Verses 10-15 concern forgetfulness of God in a time of prosperity. What ways of guarding against this danger can be found either explicit or implicit in this passage?

3.     What insight is given in this chapter into the necessity and method of family religion?

Notes

1.       Verse 6. ‘Be upon’: literally ‘imprinted on’.

2.      Verse 13.  Alluded to by Christ in answer to Satan (Mt. 4:10). 

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Search The Scriptures —Study 5 — Deuteronomy 4:41 - 5:33

Study 5 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 4:41 - 5:33

With chapter 5 begins Moses’ second discourse, extending to chapter

 26 Chapter 4:44-49 is the introductory superscription.

1.      What is the significance of the pronouns ‘you’ and ‘your’ which occur throughout the ten commandments? Cf. Lv. 19:3; Ps. 62: 12; Je. 17:10 (‘every man’).

2.     The ways in which the people reacted to the hearing of the commandments (5:23-27) indicate abiding principles concerning the ways in which all men should react to God’s law.  What kind of effect do the reactions here suggest that God’s law should produce? Cf. Heb. 12:21; Rom. 7:9; Gal. 3:24.

3.     What was it in the temper of the people that drew from God the words of commendation in 5:28, and the expression of His desire that it might so continue always (verse 29)?

Note. 5:3. ‘Our fathers’: i.e., ‘our forefathers’, viz. the patriarchs. Cf. 4:37; 7:8.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 4 — Deuteronomy 4:1-40

Study 4 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 4:1-4o

This is the second part of Moses’ first discourse, and consists of an exhortation based upon God’s gracious dealings, as described in chapters 1 to 3.

1.      What is said about God in this portion, and about His relation to Israel?

2.     What is said about God in the word of God, spoken by Moses? With verse 2 cf. 12:32; Pr. 30:6; Mt. 5:17, 18; Rev. 22: 18, 19.

3.     Against what sin in particular are the people warned, and by what arguments is the warning reinforced?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 3 — Deuteronomy 3

Study 3 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 3

1.      How did the conquest of Sihon and of Og disprove the faithless fears of forty years before? Cf. 1:28 with 2:36 and 3:4-6.  What use did later generations make of the memory of these victories? Cf. Jos. 2:10; Pss. 135: 10, 11; 136:18-20.

2.     What do verses 21, 22 teach us about the duty of mutual encouragement? Cf. how Paul sought to share his assurance (2 Tim.1:12) with others (Phil. 1:6).

3.     Try to imagine the intensity of Moses’ desire in verses 24, 25. What insight are we given into prayer and its answer by this incident? Cf. Nu. 2. 20:12; Ps. 106:32, 33.

4.     Verse 26: ‘Let it suffice you’.  Moses must be content with his own place in God’s work. He was the law-giver, and Joshua (Hebrew form of ‘Jesus’) was the conqueror. How does Jn. 1:17 throw light on this?

Notes

1.       Verse 11.  ‘Bedstead’: or possibly ‘Sarcophagus’. It was eleven feet long and six broad.

2.      Verses 13-15. This double division of the tribe of Manasseh greatly weakened it, thus fulfilling Gn. 48:14ff., in which Ephraim, although the younger of the two sons of Joseph, is given priority over Manasseh.

3.    Verse 29.  “Beth-peor’: ‘house of Peor’, the Moabite god through which the people sinned (Nu.25).

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Search The Scriptures —Study 2 — Deuteronomy 2

Study 2 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 2

1.   What do we learn from this chapter of the sovereignty of God over the nation? Cf. 32:8; Acts 17:26.

2.   Why were Edom, Moab and Ammon spared on this occasion, whereas the Amorites were exterminated? Note verses 4’ 5; 9’ 19; and cf. am. 1:11-2:3.

3.   What do verses 24 and 31 teach about the relationship between divine grace and human faith? Cf. Eph. 2:8.

Notes

1. Verse 1. ‘Many days’: nearly thirty-eight years; cf. verse 14.
2. Verses 4-8. This is not the same incident as that of Nu. 20:14-21, but a later instruction when Israel had reached the eastern border of Edom.
3. Verses 10-12 and 20-23 are parenthetical notes on ancient history.
4. Verse 30.  A judicial hardening, i.e., to punish one already opposed to God.
5. Verse 34. “Utterly destroyed’: devoted to destruction’. i.e., under God’s curse.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 1 — Deuteronomy 1

Study 1 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 1

1.       The burden of this chapter is the people’s sin in refusing to go forward to the promised land.  How is the sin described (see verses 26, 27, 32) and what made the guilt of it greater (see Note on verses 9-18; also verses 31-33)?

2.     What solemn lesson is taught in verses 40 -45? Cf. Is. 59:1, 2; Je. 11:14; Heb. 12:17.

3.     What does this chapter teach us about the importance of knowing history, especially Bible history? Cf. Pss, 78:1-8; 44:1-8; 1 Cor. 10:6-13; Rom. 15:4.

Note.  Verses 9-18.  These verses seem to be introduced to show that the people were both numerous and well organized when they reached Kadesh, and therefore fully ready to enter the land if their eyes had been upon the Lord.

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