� Reading 1 - Deut 27-31

27 - Chapter 27 discusses an important annual ceremony in Canaan, where the Law would be read and responded to. The curses are not direct quotations of the Ten Commandments, but all are close in nature to the basic concerns of the Covenant. Verses 15 and 24 add the dimension of secrecy - God would know and punish evildoers even if everyone else didn’t know!

28 - Chapter 28 is one of the pivotal chapters in the Old Testament. It maps out the history of the Is- raelite nation in advance because, unfortunately, they choose the curses instead of the blessings. Over and over the prophets will refer to this part of Deuteronomy as they warn of impending judgment due to idolatry (verse 23 is fulfilled in Elijah’s time, 1 Kings 17:1) and God punishes His people just as He warned He would. The reader should note that more time is spent on the curses than blessings because a full descrip- tion of the horror of disobedience should urge Israel to obedience. This chapter also sets before Israel the truth that life is not arbitrary, but governed by God and their response to Him.

29 - Chapter 29 begins a new sermon that runs through chapter 31. Much of this chapter can be sum- marized as a failure to perceive (verses 2-4) and a tendency to forget (verses 5-9). Moses recites these facts to strongly urge full obedience to God as the people enter into covenant relationship with Him (verses 10-15). The final verse (29) is often quoted but here it means that the future is unknown, but what is known is God’s Word. They can and must obey it.

30 - Chapter 30 continues these ideas, making three key points. First, the cause of dispersion would be a lack of love for God as evidenced by not obeying the Law (verses 1-10). Note the heavy emphasis on the heart and loving God here (see verse 6 and verse 16, for example). However, obedience is not impossible (verses 11-14). Verses 15-20 then conclude by calling the people to decisions and commitment.

31 - Chapter 31 settles the important matter of succession, as Joshua is chosen to succeed Moses. Moses sounds a somber note of warning in verse 16, a verse that summarizes much of the Old Testament we will read.