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Rev. Ronald C. Purkey, an ordained Baptist minister, claims no originality for this Bible study outline.
However,
every Bible study posted on this website has been taught by Rev. Purkey.
To see more Bible study outlines go
to page two: More Bible Study Outlines.
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December 5, 2021
SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy
5:1-3; 10:12-13; 27:1-10
KEY VERSES: “And now, Israel, what
doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in
all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart
and with all thy soul, 13 To keep the commandments of the LORD,
and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?”
(Deuteronomy 10:12-13)
BACKGROUND: Why do
Christian believers study the Old testament? Good question. Here is a Bible
answer: “Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are
written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1
Corinthians 10:11). The people of God, whether in the Old Testament or the New
Testament, must never presume to sin. In 1 Corinthians 10:12, Paul warns the
over confident, and then encourages the fearful in verse 13. We study the Old
Testament so that we may learn what is the right thing to do and what is the
wrong thing to do. The people of the Old Testament are our models for success
or failure.
INTRODUCTION: When students
enter a new class they usually ask, "What are the requirements? How many
tests will there be? Will we have to write a term paper? And if so, how long
must it be? How much homework and extra reading will there be?” It's the same
in the workplace. Employees want to know their job description. What is
required of me? Everybody wants to know the requirements, including Christians.
In our verses today in the Book of Deuteronomy Moses
asks, "And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee…."
Now keep in mind that this question was asked of people who already know God;
those who already have a personal relationship with Him. So this is speaking of
requirements for living a spiritual life, not entering it.
I. ISRAEL’S
BINDING COVENANT. (Deuteronomy 5:1-3)
“And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the
statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn
them, and keep, and do them. 2 The LORD our God made a covenant
with us in Horeb. 3 The LORD made not this covenant with our
fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.” (Deuteronomy
5:1-3)
A. After summarizing Israel’s history since
departing Egypt, Moses began to explain the covenant obligations that Israel
owed the Lord.
In this long section that comprises most of the book
of Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 4:44–26:19), Moses reviewed for the new generation
God’s laws and commands. They were to learn and follow these statutes and
ordinances that Israel had received (Deuteronomy 5:1-2). Notice the
imperatives: Learn and follow.
B. Bible study is good and necessary; but if you get
no further than acquiring an intellectual knowledge of the Bible, you haven’t
gone far enough.
A football team might have an expert understanding
of the rules of the game. But if the coach and players fail to put those rules
into practice, the only thing they will obtain will be a losing record.
C. Moses said, God did not make this covenant just
with their fathers, but with all of the Jewish people. (Deuteronomy 5:3)
Actually, God did make the covenant with their
fathers -- that is, with the previous generation at Sinai (Horeb). Moses had
stated this plainly (Deuteronomy 4:10-14, 45). In fact, he said it in the
previous sentence! (Deuteronomy 5:2). So this should be viewed as a rhetorical
point.
In effect Moses was telling those Jewish people
standing before him, “This isn’t merely your father’s covenant I’m talking
about; this is your covenant. Your fathers are gone; now you are God’s covenant
partners. He expects obedience from you.” When God spoke with the previous
generation of Israelites from the fire on the mountain years before (see
Deuteronomy 5:4), he was speaking to all future generations.
II. ISRAEL’S
DUTIES. (Read Deuteronomy 10:10-13)
A. Moses then resumed his narrative of his second
stint of forty days and forty nights on Mount Sinai. (Deuteronomy 10:10-11)
“And I stayed in the mount,
according to the first time, forty days and forty nights; and the LORD
hearkened unto me at that time also, and the LORD would not destroy thee. 11 And
the LORD said unto me, Arise, take thy journey before the people, that they may
go in and possess the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give unto them.
(Deuteronomy 10:10-11)
God heard Moses’s prayer and agreed not to
annihilate Israel (Deuteronomy 10:10). Then it was time for the nation to move
on to possess Canaan (Deuteronomy 10:10-11). But doing so successfully and
living there in prosperity under God’s blessing, would require that the people
fear the Lord.
B. What does a person DO who “fears” the Lord?
(Deuteronomy 10:12-13)
“And now, Israel, what doth the
LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his
ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and
with all thy soul, 13 To keep the commandments of the LORD, and
his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?” (Deuteronomy
10:12-13)
(1) He walks in the Lord’s ways; (2) He loves the
Lord; and (3) He worships the Lord (Deuteronomy 10:12). Such a person takes God
seriously -- so seriously that he does what the God says to do. And to do so is
for his own good (Deuteronomy 10:13).
III. ISRAEL’S
CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS. (Deuteronomy 27:1-10)
INSIGHT: We come now
to one of the most vital sections of the Book of Deuteronomy. This is now
Moses’ third address. It belongs to the next major section of the book which is
regarding the future in the land. This is the third main section of the book
and extends from chapter 27–30. In it we find the so-called Palestinian
covenant which God made with the nation of Israel.
1. Deuteronomy 28–30 is called the
pre-written history of Israel in the land before they enter the land. The section
from Deuteronomy 29–30:10 is the Palestinian covenant.
2. As we begin this section, I think we
ought to say something about a covenant. That word has
occurred several times already. There are different kinds of covenants. We find
that individuals make covenants with each other. There are covenants of this
kind mentioned in the Bible. Then there are nations that make covenants, and
some of them are mentioned in the Bible. Then there are the covenants which God
made with His people and with all humanity. Here are some of the covenants: the
Adamic covenant, the Noahic covenant, the Abrahamic covenant, and the Mosaic
covenant. Now, in Deuteronomy, we come to the Palestinian covenant.
3. The covenants which God makes are
divided into two different classifications: conditional and unconditional. We could call
them eternal covenants and temporary covenants. The eternal covenant is a
permanent covenant and it is unconditional. The temporary covenant is a
conditional covenant. It is important to distinguish between the two.
4. The covenant which God made with
Abraham was an unconditional covenant. The covenant
God made with Moses, the Ten Commandments, was a conditional covenant. -- “Now
therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then …”
(Exodus 19:5). The Palestinian covenant which God made is an unconditional
covenant.
5. The Palestinian covenant has to do
with Israel’s future. We understand
that these people in our lesson are now standing on the east bank of the Jordan
River. They are preparing to enter the land. This is the new generation; the
old generation has died in the wilderness. Moses himself will not enter into
the land. We shall see that this book closes with a requiem to Moses. He dies,
but the people enter the land under a new leader. Now this particular section
is prophetic and has to do with their future in the land which they are about
to enter. We find here some of the most remarkable prophecies in the entire
Word of God.
“And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the
people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day. 2 And
it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great
stones, and plaister them with plaister: 3 And thou shalt write
upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou
mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God
giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the LORD
God of thy fathers hath promised thee. 4 Therefore it
shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which
I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with
plaister. 5 And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any
iron tool upon them. 6 Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt
offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God: 7 And
thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God. 8 And thou shalt write upon the
stones all the words of this law very plainly.” (Deuteronomy 27:1-8)
In these verses Moses identified the blessings and
curses that would fall on Israel for keeping or despising the Lord’s covenant.
Moses and the elders … commanded the people to conduct a covenant renewal
ceremony that included writing the Law on large stones covered with plaster
(Deuteronomy 27:1–3). These stones were to be set up on Mount Ebal, located
about thirty-five miles north of Jerusalem, where the Israelites were also
commanded to build an altar of stones and offer burnt and fellowship offerings
to the Lord (Deuteronomy 27:4–7). The burnt offerings were completely consumed,
symbolizing complete commitment to the Lord, while the fellowship offerings
were eaten in a communal meal that expressed thanksgiving to God and joy in his
presence.
“And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto
all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become
the people of the LORD thy God. 10 Thou
shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD
thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this
day.” (Deuteronomy 27:9–10)
Moses described the unusual form of this ceremony, which
Joshua later carried out (see Joshua 8:30–35). Moses’s statement, This day you
have become the people of the LORD your God (Deuteronomy 27:9), doesn’t mean
the Israelites weren’t God’s people before this point. Rather, at this crucial
moment in their history, as they were ready to enter the land God had given
them, they had recommitted themselves to obey his covenant by drawing a new
line in the sand and stepping across it, so to speak.
1. To confirm that renewal in an unmistakable way,
Moses commanded the people to divide themselves into two groups of six tribes
between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal (Deuteronomy 27:12–13). They were to
hear the blessings and curses read. Moses designated the Levites to read the
curses to the people.
2. The Levites told God’s people of twelve curses
they would receive for disobedience. (See
Deuteronomy 27:15–26) Here is a list of the curses read to the people of God on
that day:
·
Cursed is anyone who carves or
casts an idol and secretly sets it up. These idols, the work of craftsmen, are
detestable to the Lord.’
And all the people replied, ‘‘Amen.’’
·
Cursed is anyone who dishonors father
or mother. And all the people replied, ‘‘Amen.’’
·
Cursed is anyone who steals
property from a neighbor by moving a boundary marker. And all the people
replied, ‘’Amen.’’
·
Cursed is anyone who leads a
blind person astray on the road. And all the people replied, ‘’Amen.’’
·
Cursed is anyone who denies
justice to foreigners, orphans, or widows. And all the people replied,
‘’Amen.’’
·
Cursed is anyone who has sexual
relations with one of his father’s wives, for he has violated his father. And
all the people replied, ‘’Amen.’’
·
Cursed is anyone who has sexual
relations with an animal. And all the people replied, ‘’Amen.’’
·
Cursed is anyone who has sexual relations
with his sister, whether she is the daughter of his father or his mother. And
all the people replied, ‘’Amen.’’
·
Cursed is anyone who has sexual
relations with his mother-in-law. And all the people replied, ‘’Amen.’’
·
Cursed is anyone who attacks a
neighbor in secret. And all the people replied, ‘’Amen.’’
·
Cursed is anyone who accepts payment to
kill an innocent person. And all the people replied, ‘’Amen.’’
·
Cursed is anyone who does not affirm and
obey the terms of these instructions. And all the people replied, ‘’Amen.’’
3. Twelve curses were given, with a summary curse
being made at the end. Moses had
issued stern warnings before, but in this ceremony the people would affirm that
they understood each point through following it with an “Amen!” (Deuteronomy
27:15–26). They were pledging their obedience before God on each point and also
giving him permission to bring down on them the curse attached to committing
the sin described.
4. There is a new element introduced here that seems
to tie these curses together: the fact that
these sins could all be done in secret (Deuteronomy 27:15; also secretly,
Deuteronomy 27:24). A person could dishonor his parents behind the closed doors
of their home, move his neighbor’s boundary marker at night (Deuteronomy
27:17), mistreat a blind person or the powerless without everyone else knowing
about it (Deuteronomy 27:18–19), or commit sexual sins or murder without being
found out (Deuteronomy 27:20–25). Nevertheless, the omniscient (all-knowing)
and omnipresent (everywhere present) God would see what was done and judge the
offender. Any Israelite tempted to commit so-called secret sins, then, was
warned that God would not let him go unpunished.
5. Anyone who did NOT put the words of this Law into
practice was cursed. As Israel would
learn in the hard and bitter years ahead, they would prove incapable of
perfectly keeping God’s Law. That’s because the Law doesn’t give one the power
to obey. It simply points out your shortcomings without granting you the
ability to overcome them. In this way, the Law is like a mirror -- it shows
what you look like but doesn’t clean you up. Why? Because the Law was intended
to show people their need for a Savior (see Galatians 3:10–14).
A Life of
Obedience
By Charles
Stanley
Read: John 14:23-31
As Christians, we know we should obey the Lord,
because the Bible is filled with commands to do so. But not all obedience is
equal, as every parent can testify. Out of love, some children willingly do
what they are told, whereas others comply while filled with anger and
resentment.
Jesus pointed out the correct motivation when He
said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word” (John 14:23). It’s our love
for Christ that should fuel our obedience. In fact, the only reason we can love
Him is because God first loved us (1 John 4:19). And here’s how much the Father
cared about us, even before we had any interest in pleasing Him: He sent His Son
to bear our sins and die in our place so that we could be forgiven. And when we
receive Christ by faith, God pours His love into our heart through His Holy
Spirit (Romans 5:5).
God’s love for us and our resulting love for Christ
compel us to obey Him in all things. Instead of trying harder to comply,
perhaps we should ask God to give us more love for Christ -- because the more
we love Him, the better we can follow His voice.
-- By Charles
Stanley, an In Touch Ministries devotional, November 18, 2020
CONCLUSION: What have we
learned today from our lesson in Deuteronomy?
·
We learned that if a person has NO personal
relationship with the Lord, he or she must realize that the only requirement
that they should consider is to be born again by faith in Jesus Christ. (1 John
3:23a) "And
this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus
Christ…" (1 John 3:23a).
·
We learned that there is only ONE requirement
that God has for that person today: redemption. We must
place our faith in the finished work of Christ on Calvary, and I pray that you
will do just that if you have not yet trusted Christ for your salvation. Simply
come to Christ by faith in Him and in Him alone and ask to be redeemed!
·
We learned from our Scriptures today that these
requirements in Deuteronomy were for
those who KNEW GOD in a real and personal way. Today,
God has some requirements for every Christian believer. These Scriptures in Deuteronomy were written
to Israel, but by application we can learn some spiritual requirements that are
for Christian believers in our day. What does God want you to do? How can you
make your Christian life successful? (Pray every day, read the Bible every day,
meditate on what you read, witness for Christ to others, and etc..)
THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: "The more
we love Christ, the easier it is to obey His commands.”
REFERENCES: References used in these Bible studies are the Moody Bible Commentary, J. Vernon McGee’s Thru the Bible Commentary: (www.ttb.org), the Scofield Study Bible, the Believer’s Bible Commentary, Dr. Charles
J. Woodbridge Bible Outlines, Dr. Lee Roberson’s Sermons, Dr. Charles Stanley: (http://www.intouch.org/), Don Robinson’s Bible Outlines, Women’s Study Bible, The Bible Reader’s
Companion Ed. 3, The Nelson Study Bible: New King James Version, Dr. Tony Evans (https://tonyevans.org/), KJV Bible Commentary, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines of the New
Testament ed. 4, Dr. David Jeremiah: (http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/), Dr. Cliff Robinson’s Bible Outlines, Dr. Robert Jeffress’ Pathway to
Victory (https://ptv.org/), Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines of the Old Testament, Dr. Alan Carr’s The Sermon Notebook (www.sermonnotebook.org), With the Word Bible Commentary, Wiersbe’s “Be” Series: Old & New
Testaments, Radio Bible Class Ministries (http://rbc.org/), selected illustrations and other references.
REV. RONALD PURKEY’S OFFICE
E-mail: Ronald Purkey
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