In Deuteronomy, God made a covenant with Israel that was distinct from His covenant with them at Mount Sinai. This one was made in Moab at the end of the forty years of wandering in the wilderness and at the time of their entry into the Promised Land. This chapter gives some description of that covenant.

What Does It Say?

1. God told them, I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your ________ are not waxen old upon you, and thy _______ is not waxen old upon thy foot.
2. God brought the congregation together that they should enter into _________ with the Lord their God, and into his _______, which the Lord their God made with them “this day.”
3. They were warned against following idols lest there should be one among them “whose __________ turneth away this day from the LORD out God, to go and serve the ________ of these nations.”
4. He who ignores the words of this curse will not be spared. Among other things, the Lord shall ________ out his name from under __________.
5. Because of the judgment of God, the whole land thereof is ____________, and salt, and ___________.

What Does It Mean?

1. The covenant spoken of in this chapter (v.1) is at the end of the forty years in the wilderness. The one made at Horeb (Sinai) was made toward the beginning of this time. Verse four tells the children of Israel that though they had been delivered from Egypt and had seen many signs and miracles, “Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.” This is an amazing and curious statement. Consider it carefully. What did they see all these things without a heart to perceive it or eyes to see it? What do you think was happening at this time—on this day? To understand better, look at other places in Deuteronomy where “this day” is mentioned: Deuteronomy 2:25This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee.
   See All...; Deuteronomy 4:26, Deuteronomy 4:40Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.
   See All...; Deuteronomy 5:1; Deuteronomy 6:6; Deuteronomy 26:16-18; Deuteronomy 27:9; Deuteronomy 28:1And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
   See All...; Deuteronomy 29:10-13; Deuteronomy 30:15-20. Yet this in only a partial listing in the book. Some wonderful things are happening at this stage in the history of Israel. God’s people have not studied this event enough.
2. Verse thirteen goes along with the last question. They are to enter into covenant with God so that He “may establish thee to day for a people unto himself.” In Deuteronomy 26:18And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;
   See All..., “the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people.” Again, in Deuteronomy 27:9And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God.
   See All..., Moses and the Levites tell the people, “Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God.” Certainly, the children of Israel were already the people of God. Yet, something was happening here. What do you think it could be? What are some of the options that you can think of?
3. Verse 29 states, “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” To the best of your ability, explain this verse. What kinds of things are secret and belong unto the Lord? What is the purpose of those things that God reveals to man?

What Does It Mean to Me?

1. The covenant of Moses made at Mount Sinai was made with the children of Israel. But the covenant in Deuteronomy is expanded. They are to include “thy stranger that is in thy camp” (v.11). The stranger would be a non-Jew; that is, a foreigner. Yet, here, even the stranger is to enter into covenant with God (v.12, 14-15). What does this tell us about the plan of God? Who do you consider a stranger or a foreigner? What are you doing to reach them for the Lord? What could you do?
2. Verse 19 speaks of those who will hear the words of this curse but will “bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst.” What type of person does this describe? How can we commit similar sins? How would you explain the proverb, to add drunkenness to thirst?

Suggested Memory Verses

Deuteronomy 29:29The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
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