**Scripture references have been hyperlinked to the LDS Scriptures at LDS.org and will open in a new window. Please click to read! Resource quotes have been highlighted in blue. All Resources are noted at the end of the blog.
Take a look at the following words: Deceive, beguile, snare, cheat, devour, entice, tempt, lull, rage, blind, lie, flatter, destroy
What do these words have in common? They all describe Satan’s tactics in his efforts to draw us away from the Lord.
What can we do to be protected from Satan’s influence? In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses taught the Israelites how to create an environment that would help them resist Satan’s temptations. Our goal today is to study these teachings so that we remember the Lord and the covenants we have made with him while creating an environment that will help us to stay connected to him as we do so. Excerpts from Deuteronomy are wonderful in helping us to accomplish this.
What are some things that remind you of the Lord and the covenants you have made with him? Maybe scriptures, pictures, books, or music...
Part of the lesson from Moses in Deuteronomy is about physical objects that the ancient Israelites used to remind themselves of the Lord and their covenants with him.
The Book Of Deuteronomy
The book of Deuteronomy is not the story of Israel's unique experiences in the wilderness but Moses' interpretation of the meaning of all those happenings. This book explains how Israel, out of its fundamental experience with God, developed its "national testimony" about him and his relationship with them. Here their unique call and relationship with God is emphasized, as well as the price they had had to pay to qualify to enter the promised land. Here we learn how God had helped and would continue to help them succeed, the circumstances under which they would qualify for his conditional blessings, and how they might hope to establish a just and holy nation. This kind of discussion made this book into an important guide book for individual Israelites as well as their king.
Deuteronomy is the Greek name of the fifth book of the Bible. It means "Second Law," or "A Copy of the Law." The Hebrew name of the Book, elleh haddebarim ("These Are the Words"), is taken from the first words of Deuteronomy: "These are the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain. . . . according unto all that the Lord had given him in commandment unto them" (1:1, 3, 5; unless otherwise specified, all references are to the book of Deuteronomy). It is also familiarly known to the Jews as mishneh hattora, "copy of the law" (17:18). (Studies in Scripture Vol 3 Robert L Millet)
In This book three sermons are given by Moses prior to his departure from Israel in which he summarized the law of Moses. At this time Israel was camped in Moab, across the Jordan from the promised land and Joshua would soon lead them in their battle against the Canaanites to possess the promised land.
- First Sermon (chapter 1:6 - chapter 4:40): Recounted the most important events of their years of wandering and gave a reminder that they should not forget the laws given at Sinai.
- Second Sermon (chapters 5-26): Was a review of the law, including the Ten Commandments.
- Third Sermon (chapters 27-30): Is a call for Israel to renew their covenant along with a warning of the consequences for failure to do so.
- Chapters 31-34: May not have been written by Moses but recounts the selection and ordination of Joshua as Moses' successor and the death or translation of Moses as we know from other sources that Moses did not actually die, but was translated.
The book of Deuteronomy contains Moses' last words to the Israelites. The setting of this reminds me somewhat of King Benjamin when he called all to come to the temple to listen to his last sermon and named his successor. In much a like manor Moses did the same, giving his last all to those that he had given to lead, guide and protect.
"Moses speaks like a dying father to his children. The words are earnest, inspired, impressive. He looks back over the whole of the forty years of their wandering in the desert, reminds the people of all the blessings they have received, of the ingratitude with which they have so often repaid them, and of the judgments of God, and the love that continually broke forth behind them; he explains the laws again and again, and adds what is necessary to complete them, and is never weary of urging obedience to them in the warmest and most emphatic words, because the very life of the nation was bound up with this; he surveys all the storms and conflicts which they have passed through, and, beholding the future in the past, takes a survey also of the future history of the nation, and sees, with mingled sorrow and joy, how the three great features of the past--viz. apostasy, punishment, and pardon--continue to repeat themselves in the future also." (Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary quoted in Old Testament Student Manual, p216)
It is significant that the essence of Moses' message was not only applicable to the ancient Hebrew tribes, but to the people of God in all ages. If you were given the chance to give one last message to your family, your friends, your loved ones, what would it be?
1. Moses gives instructions to the Israelites to help them remember their covenants Deuteronomy 6:1–9 and 11:18–21
After testing, chastening, and teaching the Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years, the Lord said they were ready to enter the promised land. But first he had some important instructions for them. Moses delivered these instructions in three sermons. In these sermons Moses reviewed Israel’s 40-year sojourn in the wilderness, recognizing God’s hand in their deliverance. Moses also discussed Israel’s responsibilities as God’s chosen people. He emphasized that they must obey God’s commandments, particularly the commands to remember Him and refrain from idol worship. Moses warned that although the children of Israel were ready to enter the promised land, if they returned to wickedness they would lose their inheritance and be scattered.
Beginning with Deut 6: 1-4 we read:
Deuteronomy Deuteronomy 6:5–7 reads: