Bible Study Guide Day 080: Deuteronomy 30–31
No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
Deuteronomy 30:14
Previous Day 079: Deuteronomy 28–29
Deuteronomy 30
Prosperity After Turning to the LORD
Moses continues his message to the Israelites, reminding them that if they turn back to God with all their heart and soul, then He will restore their fortunes and have compassion on them. This promise of prosperity is conditional upon obedience to God’s commandments.
God desires our wholehearted devotion and obedience, not just surface-level commitment. Our relationship with Him should be our top priority and we must constantly examine our hearts to make sure we are truly following His will.
Moses reassures the Israelites that God’s commandments are not too difficult for them to follow. They have been given the law and they have the ability to obey it. This echoes Paul’s message in Romans 8:4, where he says that the righteous requirement of the law is fulfilled in us who walk according to the Spirit.
As Christians, we have been given the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us to follow God’s commands. We no longer live under the burden of trying to earn our salvation through obedience, but instead we are motivated by love for God and gratitude for His grace.
The Offer of Life or Death
Moses presents the Israelites with a choice — life or death, blessings or curses. He urges them to choose life by loving and obeying God, for that is the key to their prosperity and success in the promised land.
In our lives, we are faced with countless choices every day. Each one has consequences, and it is up to us to choose wisely. God has given us free will, but He also desires for us to choose Him and His ways. When we align our choices with His will, we experience abundant life and blessings.
Deuteronomy 31
Joshua to Succeed Moses
Moses informs the Israelites of his impending death and his inability to enter the Promised Land. He reassures them that God is their true leader, promising to lead them into the Promised Land. God will battle the nations residing there and emerge victorious.
Moses then summons Joshua before the people, urging him, as he did the Israelites, not to fear. The key to overcoming fear lies in remembering the nearness of God.
Public Reading of the Law
Moses anoints Joshua to succeed him as the leader of Israel. He instructs the priests and elders to read the law every seven years during the Feast of Tabernacles so that all the people may hear it and learn to fear God.
It is important for leaders to have a clear succession plan in place, especially in matters of spiritual leadership. We must also be diligent in studying and teaching God’s word, so that it may continually guide and shape our lives.
Israel’s Rebellion Predicted
God reveals to Moses that after his death, the people of Israel will turn away from Him and worship other gods, bringing disaster upon themselves. However, He assures Moses that His wrath will not burn against them forever.
Despite our tendency to turn away from God, He is merciful and always willing to forgive us when we humble ourselves and return to Him. His love for us never changes, even when we are unfaithful to Him.
God commands Moses to write a song for the Israelites as a witness against them in the future, reminding them of God’s faithfulness and warning them of the consequences of disobedience.
Songs have a powerful way of conveying messages and stirring emotions. This is why we have so many hymns and worship songs in our churches today. As we sing praise to God, let us also remember His faithfulness and take heed of any warnings from His word.
As we reflect on these chapters, let us remember the importance of wholehearted devotion and obedience to God. Let us also be mindful of the choices we make and strive to align them with His will. And most importantly, let us cling to His faithfulness and mercy, knowing that He always desires for us to choose life and blessings through our love and obedience to Him.