Deuteronomy 29

The land of Moab was the region east of the Jordan River. This was the place where Moses spoke the words recorded in the book of Deuteronomy to the people of Israel.

As Moses prepared to die, he spoke a farewell message to Israel. In this message, he briefly reviewed their history since they left Egypt.

He urged the nation to promise loyalty to the Lord. This part of Deuteronomy shows that grace (God’s undeserved favor) is not only a New Testament teaching. Grace is the foundation of the Lord’s relationship with Israel.

but he provided for you: This clause does not appear in the Hebrew but is implied by its context.

• King Sihon of Heshbon, ruler of the Amorites, had controlled an area from the Arnon River to the Ammonite border. See Numbers 21:31–35.

• Heshbon: See Deuteronomy 1:4; 2:24.

• King Og of Bashan had ruled an Amorite kingdom east of the Sea of Galilee (see 3:1).

Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh asked to live in the land east of the Jordan River. Moses agreed and gave them that land (see 3:12–13).

• foreigners (literally sojourner): This word refers to people who lived among Israel but were not native Israelites. See study note on 10:18.

• The phrase cut your wood and draw your water was a common saying for low-level or servant work (see Joshua 9:22–27).

The technical phrase to enter into the covenant meant accepting the terms of the agreement.

those who are not here today: The covenant made with the generation of Moses also included future generations. It was not only for the people alive at that time.

The future descendants of Abraham would share in the covenant’s privileges. However, each generation would need to obey the covenant personally in order to receive its blessings (see 4:9).

• the abominations: These practices were deeply offensive forms of pagan worship. They were especially connected to false religious ceremonies (see 7:25–26; 12:31; 13:14).

• idols: The Hebrew word for idols means “round things.” It may also suggest something like dung.

  This word shows strong disgust. The idols were compared to waste to show how offensive they were.

This metaphor describes idolatry as a root. If allowed to grow, it would lead to idol worship, which is the bitter fruit.

Being careless or overly confident about God's judgment would lead to complete ruin.

blot out his name: If a people’s name was removed, they would eventually be forgotten. Their memory and identity would disappear.

The greatest tragedy would be for God to treat Israel as if they had never existed (see 7:24; Exodus 32:32–33; 2 Kings 14:27).

Book of the Law: Here, this phrase refers to the entire book of Deuteronomy. The book includes a long list of curses (chapter 28) that would come upon Israel if they disobeyed the covenant is part of it (see 27:3).

like … Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim: During the time of Abraham and Lot, God destroyed these cities because of their extreme immorality. Their destruction involved fiery sulfur and salt (Genesis 19:23–28).

This explanation anticipates a future when people would look back at Israel’s history of rebellion and easily understand why they were in exile.

The phrase this book refers at least to the book of Deuteronomy. It may also refer to the first five books of the Old Testament. These five books are called the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy).

• secret things: There seems to be a tension between God’s covenant promises to Israel and Israel’s exile from the land. God had promised to bless his people. Yet they were sent away from the land because of their sin.

  Why would this happen? What purpose could there be in such events? The full answer belongs to God alone.

• the words of this law: See 4:44; 27:3.