Deuteronomy: Historical Prologue Pt. 2 Deuteronomy 3-4

Deuteronomy 3:1-11 – Defeat of , King of Bashan  Chapter 3 begins with a continuation of the conquest of the region east of the . Following the defeat of the Amorite King in , the defeat Og, king of Bashan.  This area lay north of the area taken from Sihon.  Vs. 3 again notes that God is the true victor of this battle, working through the people of Israel.  Vs. 4 mentions 60 cities taken, but we should think of these as small settlements rather than the modern understanding of “cities.”  Like the recounting of the destruction of Heshbon, here too we have the “total destruction” of Bashan.  The note in vs. 11 refers to the Rephaim, a group of former inhabitants of the land. This could be translated “defunct ones,” referring to their former dwelling. Later the term would be used of the dead.

Deuteronomy 3:12-22 – Apportionment of the  Following the recounting of the battle, moves to recounting the apportionment of the land east of the Jordan river.  The tribes of Reuben and Gad will take possession of the area held by Sihon. Half of the tribe of Manasseh will inherit the area held by Og.  In vss. 18ff., Moses tells the men of these tribes that their contribution to their fellow Israelites is not over simply because they have entered into their inheritance. As in vs. 20, these tribes are to play a role in the conquest west of the Jordan and are not to rest in their new land until the land of is taken.  The leaving of women, children, and cattle (wealth!) in vs. 19 demonstrates the security of their claim in the land.  In vs2. 21-22 we are reminded again of one of the major themes present in the book – the transition of leadership to Joshua. He is commended to have faith and to reject fear because he has seen God at work in overcoming the peoples in the land already on the eastern side of the Jordan.

Deuteronomy 3:23-29 – Moses forbidden to enter the Land  Moses has apparently brought up his desire to enter the Land (which God had forbidden – Numbers 20; Deut. 1:37) before this instance.  Perhaps Moses was too focused on the promise itself rather than God who made the promise?  Moses is allowed to see the land from a distance, but not to enter.  This passage again places before the current generation of hearers the importance of Joshua and the need to follow him. Deuteronomy 4:1-14 – Encouragement of obey the law  Chapter 4 begins with an enjoinder to listen and keep the commandments of the law. The reason was for life and for taking possession of the land. Covenant fidelity was not just the requirement for taking possession. It was much more.  Vs. 2 mirrors language used in Revelation 22:18-19. In both passages, the immediate context of the present book is in mind.  Moses explains that by living the covenant stipulations, the people witness to the greatness and goodness of God. How does Christian living bear a similar witness?  Vs. 9 speaks to a condition many fall victim to – forgetting what God has done in the past. The covenant renewal and the passing on of the stories of God to the coming generations is about collective memory in order to keep the past’s experiences of God active and alive.  Vs. 12 is key to the following admonitions against idolatry. Israel had experienced God as he is – without a form like the created order.

Deuteronomy 4:15-31 – Warnings against Idolatry  Because Israel knew the true nature of God, any attempt to cast an image representing him was a de facto limiting of God.  These warnings represent a real temptation for Israel to be like the nations surrounding them. However, as we will see in chapter 5, they are in direct opposition to the words God gave in the 10 Commandments.  Vss. 25ff. read much like an account of what does happen in the story, first in Judges and later in Kings.  Vss. 29-31 demonstrate the justice and also the mercy and grace of God in his covenant.

Deuteronomy 4:32-43 – Conclusion of the Historical Prologue  As Moses concludes the prologue, he asks many rhetorical questions. These questions remind Israel of their unique relationship with their God.  God brought Israel out of Egypt to demonstrate who he is and because of his love for them (vss. 35-38).  God’s actions should lead Israel to lay on their hearts the knowledge of God alone as God.  Vs. 40 is a key idea – because of God’s actions, the people’s actions are to be a response. God’s actions towards humanity should elicit a change in humanity’s actions towards God.  Vss. 41-43 set up cities of refuge in the Transjordan. The stipulations regarding cities of refuge are fleshed out in chapter 19.

Deuteronomy 4:44-49 – Introduction to the Law  These final 5 verses serve as the introduction to the re-giving of the law in chapters 5ff.