Deuteronomy 10

< Back to Deuteronomy Index

TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Israel's Obligations and Responsibilities

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Believers should follow the example of the Levites.

  2. Believers should follow the example of the Lord.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Do you know the ABCs of God’s requirements for believers?

QUESTIONS

  1. Describe one way Old Testament scholars approach the structure of Deuteronomy.

  2. Describe the second way (primarily taken in this set of lectures).

  3. What is referred to by the phrase “at that time” in verse 1?

  4. Who replaced Aaron as high priest after his death?

  5. Deuteronomy 10:16 is figurative language. How can we put it into practice?

ANSWERS

  1. It can be shown that the arrangement of the content of Deuteronomy follows the typical form of an ancient treaty, such as between suzerain lords and their vassals. These treaties followed a certain format beginning with a preamble, then a historical prologue, a stipulation of the treaty, the sanctions or blessings and cursings, and finally the arrangement for the continuation of the covenant. The book of Deuteronomy can be shown to follow this treaty structure in general with God as the suzerain Lord and the children of Israel as the vassal people.

  2. The other approach is to see the Book of Deuteronomy as 3 or 4 sermons or addresses that Moses gave the Children of Israel as they were camped on the Plains of Moab preparing to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land.

  3. This phrase refers to the time at Mount Sinai, the second forty days and nights that Moses spent on the mountain after the event of the golden calf and the smashing of the first set of tablets. Now the Lord had Moses come up on Mount Sinai once again with two new stone tablets and God in His grace again wrote the Ten Commandments of the Mosaic Covenant.

  4. Eleazar, the third son of Aaron, became high priest. Remember the first two sons, Nadab and Abihu, died by fire because they offered strange fire before the Lord (Leviticus 10).

  5. We, like the Children of Israel, must circumcise our hearts and stiffen our necks no longer. This is figurative language for separating from sinful activities and stopping our disobedience and rebellion.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Discuss the role of the Levites in their special place of service for the Lord. What did they do to earn this special role? How could you make the Lord’s service a greater priority in your life?

  2. Compare Deuteronomy 10:12-13 with Micah 6:8. Discuss the ABCs of God’s requirements for believers.
    A. To fear the Lord and walk in His ways
    B. To love the Lord and serve the Lord
    C. To keep the Lord’s commandments

CHALLENGE

  1. Think of it! The God Who created and owns the universe (verse 14) cares for the insignificant folks, the downtrodden, and the poor and needy. How can we do less?

KEY VERSES

  • “At that time the Lord separated the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister to Him and to bless in His name, to this day. Therefore Levi has no portion nor inheritance with his brethren; the Lord is his inheritance, just as the Lord your God promised him.” Deuteronomy 10:8-9

  • “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 10:12

Deuteronomy, Old TestamentRon ReidDEUTERONOMY 10