Study notes

Deuteronomy 30

Introducing DeuteronomyWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

27:1–30:20 Section

The Israelites had to build an altar in the centre of the land God gave them. On it they had to write a record of their covenant with God.

Then the 12 tribes had to speak the covenant blessings and covenant curses out loud. They had to announce the blessings from Mount Gerizim. They had to announce the curses from Mount Ebal.

This way the entire community would recognise what obeying the covenant meant. The covenant blessings led to life. The community would also understand what would happen if they disobeyed. The covenant curses led to death. Things would be so bad that the Egyptians wouldn’t even want the Israelites as slaves again.

Moses begged the people to choose life from God instead of choosing death. Yet even after the covenant curses they could still turn back to God. They could show their love for him by once again obeying him. As soon as they did this, God would be ready to bless them again.

29:2–30:20

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.

30:1–10

Repentance was the only solution to the threat of judgment. The possibility of blessing and the prevention of judgment both depended on a proper relationship with the Lord.

30:2–3

with all your heart and all your soul: These words reflect the teaching found in the Shema (Israel’s great statement of covenant faith and commitment). The Shema calls Israel to love the Lord fully and faithfully (compare 6:4).

To receive God’s forgiveness and return to the land, the people had to obey the covenant. Obedience was required before restoration could take place.

30:6

circumcise your heart: This change would be a work of God. It would begin with his grace (his undeserved kindness).

As a result, Israel would experience renewal (a new spiritual beginning). This change would show that the nation truly belonged to the Lord (see 10:16; Jeremiah 4:4; Romans 4:1–12).

30:11

This commandment refers to the entire covenant text, which includes all of Deuteronomy (see 4:2; 5:29; 7:9).

30:11–20

Obeying the covenant commands that Moses gave would lead to life. Disobeying them would lead to death.

Here, life and death refer to physical life in the land. This applied both to individual people and to the whole community of Israel.

30:12

not in heaven: God’s revelation (what he has made known) is not hidden in heaven. It is not known only to God.

Instead, God has made his will accessible to human beings. People can hear it and respond to it (see Romans 10:6–8).

30:13

not beyond the sea: God’s purposes are not controlled by distant nations. They are not kept far away from his people.

Instead, God has made his will known to his people. They can receive it and obey it (see Romans 10:6–8).

30:14

The message of salvation is very near you. It is in your mouth, which means it can be spoken and shared. It is in your heart, which means it can be understood and believed.

Because it is near, it can be taught and learned (see 6:6–7).

30:16

love the LORD your God: This statement repeats the teaching of the Shema, Israel’s central statement of covenant faith (see 6:5). To love God means to obey him in every area of life. Such obedience leads to God’s blessing.

30:19

life and death, blessing and cursing: This pairing of words shows a close connection. Life is connected to blessing, and death is connected to curse.

In this passage, blessing does not only bring life. Blessing is life itself. It is life in the land, safety, and God’s favor.

In the same way, curse does not only bring death. Curse is death itself. It is loss of the land, suffering, and separation from God’s favor.

30:20

He is your life: In its fullest meaning, life means complete commitment to the Lord.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources