Deuteronomy 29 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Deuteronomy 29 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• Moses’ speech, recorded in the opening chapters of Deuteronomy, occurred immediately following the Israelites’ 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.  

• The Israelites were in the wilderness from approximately 1490-1450 B.C.

• The Book of Deuteronomy opens on the 1st day of the 11th month in the 40th year (Deu 1:3) following the Israelites departure from Egypt (approximately 1450 B.C.).

CHARACTERS:

• Israelites (Hebrews) – The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God granted them freedom after several hundred years in slavery in Egypt. Leading up to the book of Deuteronomy, the Israelites had spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness as they made their way to Canaan, the land God promised to give them as a home.

• Moses – Moses was selected by God to lead the Israelites to Canaan. God spoke directly to Moses and Moses communicated God’s words and laws to the people.    

WHERE:

• Deuteronomy 1:5 tells us Moses spoke the words recorded in Deuteronomy while in Moab, probably on the plains of Moab near Pisgah (Numbers 22:1).

• Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim are highlighted in this chapter. These two mountains were very close to each other, and the Israelites were told to visit them when they crossed the Jordan River.

OUTLINE:

• GOD RENEWS HIS COVENANT WITH ISRAEL (29:1-29):

  • God commanded Moses to speak to the people of Israel about His covenant with them while they were camped in Moab.

  • Moses summoned all the people and reminded them of the mighty works of God.  

  • He prompted them to recall God’s power that freed them from Egypt, God’s guidance during their 40 years in the wilderness, and God giving them victory over King Sihon and King Og.

  • Moses told the people he gathered them together so they could enter a “sworn covenant” with the Lord, and in doing so God would make them His special people.

  • Moses sternly warned any Israelite who harbored evil in their heart that God would discover their corrupt intentions and would curse them with the curses listed in Deuteronomy 27-28.

  • If the entire Israelite nation broke covenant with God, God told them He would bring sickness on the land and make it desolate like Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19).

  • Foreigners in future generations would know their fate was a result of breaking covenant with God.
    

APPLICATION:

• What kind of legacy are you leaving?

• When the future generations look back at you and your relationship with God, what will they have to say?

• Did you honor God and elevate him in your life?

• Was your relationship with God significant enough for others to remember as a marking characteristic of your time on earth?

• Did you openly dishonor God and contribute to the corruption of a culture?