37: Obey even though you don’t understand (Deut 29:1 – 29)

Moses explained why obedience is more important than understanding.

👉 Read Deuteronomy 29:1 - 29

Moses encouraged them to keep the terms of God’s covenant (v9). To support this, in v2 ~ 8, Moses explained why they should follow God’s words. They have experienced God’s (          ) and (          ). However, God didn’t give them (                       ), so they couldn’t fully understand why God commanded such covenant terms. Instead, God asked them to listen to Moses. In their wilderness journey, their (           ) and (            ) didn’t wear out, and they were fed by (           ), no ordinary food. They learned that  (        ) would provide for their needs and give them victory. Even though you might not fully understand why, you’d better obey His words. Then, you will be successful in (                ) you do.

Moses encouraged them to keep the terms of God’s covenant (v9). To support this, in v2 ~ 8, Moses explained why they should follow God’s words. They have experienced God’s ( signs ) and ( wonders). However, God didn’t give them (an understanding mind), so they couldn’t fully understand why God commanded such covenant terms. Instead, God asked them to listen to Moses. In their wilderness journey, their (clothes ) and ( sandals ) didn’t wear out, and they were fed by (Manna), no ordinary food. They learned that  (the Lord) would provide for their needs and give them victory. Even though you might not fully understand why, you’d better obey His words. Then, you will be successful in (everything ) you do.

God showed them His power and wonders but did not give them understanding. However, He asked His people to obey His words. Without knowing how to survive the desert, they survived because the Lord provided. This is how the Lord worked through their history. Thus, complete obedience is required from us.  

Mark all who are included in the party of the covenant with God

     1) the Israelite women 2) the resident foreigners 3)  their descendants

All of them

Note that the covenant is now being confirmed with everyone in the community, regardless of ethnicity.

What kind of mindset is a poisonous and bitter fruit that causes them to rebel against their God? (19)

Considering it OK to keep being stubborn only because everything goes well

Do not think God accepts your deeds only if you have peace.

What are the two reasons that God punishes them? (21, 24-28)

According to the covenantal terms of the curse

The punishment by the covenantal terms is upon each individual. The Lord will single out that person and punish him or her.

To give a lesson to other nations

While verses 18-21 are about an individual, verses 22-28 are about the nation as a group. Note that the land will be destroyed, not the people. For this case, the purpose is to give a lesson of warning. Some will be righteous victims among the people, though the majority are sinful.

“The (        ) things belong to the Lord our God, but those that are (            ) belong to us and our descendants forever, so that we might (      ) all the words of this law.”

Secret, revealed, obey

Genesis, the first book of the Pentateuch, begins with the story of good and evil. At the end of the Pentateuch, Moses tells the descendants of Adam, who sought wisdom for blessings and disobeyed God, that a blessing is given through obedience, not a thing you achieve through knowledge.

The wisdom of God, which was hidden, has been revealed to us through the Spirit of Wisdom in Christ.

God's concealing, revealing, time, and providence are amazing mysteries from God’s love for us.

In the Old Testament, God hid his wisdom and put his people under the law to make them realize their sinfulness and wait for the Messiah.

The Spirit of revelation in the New Testament is to make us understand Christ and have the divine fellowship with the Triune God.

Other note

"These are the words of the covenant that the Lord commanded Moses to make with the people of Isreal in the land of Moab, in addition to the covenant he had made with them at Horeb." (29:1)

The commands in Deuteronomy (Ch 12 - 28) have a slightly different tone from those in Exodus and Leviticus. Because of their rebellious attitudes shown in Numbers, the Lord elaborates more about the spirit of the Ten Commandments in chapters 12 - 26 and warns them of their disobedience in chapter 28.