God's Rules For Living Part 1

Background from the OT: Deuteronomy chapters 5 - 7

The Covenant of the Great King 5:1–33

This is Moses' second speech prior to their entry into Canaan

Just to be clear, Moses reaffirms who/what/when/where/why/how

Restating the Commandments (vs 7-21)

The people ask Moses to be their go-between (vs 23-27)

God's response to that (vs 28-30)

"Thou shalt teach them" (vs 31-33)

The Command to Teach the Law 6:1–25

Understand the Why -- "that it might go well with thee"

The Greatest Commandment (verse 5)

Make the law and Commandments a part of your daily routine (vs 6-9)

Remember where your blessings come from (vs 10-12)

Don't tempt or anger God (vs 13-16)

Faith is always one generation away from extinction; teach the children! (vs 20-25)

The Command to Conquer Canaan 7:1–26

Take the land -- no compromise, no mercy, no holding back (vs 1- 5)

God keeps His promises (vs 6-15)

Trust God to deliver (vs 16-24)

Notice the orderly way God plans to work (vs 22)

Hate the things that God hates (vs 25-26)

God's Rules For Living Part 2

Background from the OT: Deuteronomy chapters 8 - 11

The Command to Remember the Lord 8:1–20

The Practical Provisions of God

Directed their journeys in order to test their faithfulness (v 2)

He made them hungry, then gave them Manna (v 3)

Preserved their clothing, and even their feet (v 4)

God disciplined them, as a father (v 5)

More than just "milk and honey"

The promised land would contain:

Flowing streams and Artesian wells

Grain, fruit, honey, olive oil, endless supply of bread

Iron ore on top of the ground, copper ore easily mined

"But when you've eaten your fill, REMEMBER WHERE IT CAME FROM" (v 10)

A warning about fooling ourselves into believing we did it "our way" (v 11-20)

Commands about Self-Righteousness 9:1–10:11

God reminds them that He will deliver the nations into their hands not because of their righteousness, but because of the evil ways of those who lived there (v 1- 6)

In fact, he reminds them how stiff-necked they are themselves (v 9:7 - 10:11)

Commands Regarding Blessings and Cursings 10:12–11:32

What was God's will for the Israelites? (v 12 - 20)

Fear Him

Follow His ways

Love Him

Circumcise your hearts (see also Romans 2:28-29)

Exercise justice

Be kind to strangers

Remember again to teach the children everything v (11:1-32)

God's Rules For Living Part 3

Background from the OT: Deuteronomy chapters 12 - 16

Explanations of additional laws

Chapters 12 through 16 discuss Ceremonial Laws

Chapters 16 through 20 discuss Civic Laws

Chapters 21 through 26 discuss Social and Personal Laws

Where & how to worship God (12:1 - 12:32)

Remove all traces of pagan worship from the land

Gather together at a place chosen by God

Ceremonial eating versus back-yard barbecues

Avoid eating the blood of animals

Don't worship the way pagans do

Don't worship other gods (13:1 - 13:18)

Watch out for those who lead you to worship other gods

Special note on verses 6-10. Compare to John 8:7

Destroy whole communities if need be, to prevent idolatry

Animals that can be eaten (14:3 - 14:21)

See also Leviticus 11

Clean: cattle, sheep, and goats; wild sheep and goats; and gazelles, antelopes, and all kinds of deer; any fish that has fins and scales; certain birds; certain winged insects (grasshoppers, etc)

Unclean: camels, rabbits, and rock badgers, pigs; anything water creature without fins & scales; eagles, vultures, falcons, kites, ravens, ostriches, owls, sea gulls, hawks, pelicans, ospreys, cormorants, storks, herons, and hoopoes; bats, swarming insects

Tithing (14:22 - 14:28)

Basis for the New Testament concept

Other important Ceremonial Laws

Loans (15:1 - 15:11)

Setting Slaves Free (15:12 - 15:18)

First-Born Animals (15:19 - 15:21)

Observing the Passover ( 16:1 - 16:8)

Special Feasts & Festivals ( 16:19 - 16:16)

God's Rules For Living Part 4

Background from the OT: Deuteronomy chapters 17 - 20

Explanations of additional laws

Chapters 12 through 16 discuss Ceremonial Laws

Chapters 17 through 20 discuss Civic Laws

Chapters 21 through 26 discuss Social and Personal Laws

Laws relating to sacrifice, covenant transgression, the central tribunal, and kingship (17:1-20)

Don't offer deformed animals as sacrifices (v 1)

Put Idol Worshippers to death (v 2-7)

Difficult Legal situations (v 8-13)

A King over Israel (v 14-20)

Laws relating to the Levites, foreign practices, and prophecy (18:1-22)

Special Privileges for Priests and Levites ( v 1-8)

Don't do the disgusting things (v 9-13)

Prophets will be raised up (v 14-22)

Cities of refuge and legal procedure (19:1-21)

More on the Cities of Refuge (v 1-13)

Property Lines (v 14)

On witnesses to a crime (v 15-21)

The conduct of war (20:1-20)

God fights on your behalf (v 1-4)

Exclusions for certain individuals (v 5-8)

Enemies Outside Canaan -- give them a chance to surrender (v 10-15)

Enemies Inside Canaan -- kill everything (v 16-18)

Spare the fruit trees (v 19-20)

God's Rules For Living Part 5

Background from the OT: Deuteronomy chapters 21 - 26

Explanations of additional laws

Chapters 12 through 16 discuss Ceremonial Laws

Chapters 17 through 20 discuss Civic Laws

Chapters 21 through 26 discuss Social and Personal Laws

Laws relating to murder, war, and family affairs (21:1-23)

Unsolved murders (v 1-9)

Marrying women POW's (v 10-14)

Rights of the first-born son (v 15-17)

Rebellious Sons (v 18-21)

Body of a criminal (v 22-23)

Miscellaneous Laws ( ch 22 - 26)

Copyright 2003 Leon V. Smith. All rights reserved.