Moses reminded the Israelites how they made God angry at Taberah (Num 11:3), at Massah (Exodus 17:7), and at Kibroth Hattaavah (Num 11:34). He reviewed the way the Isrealites balked at the Lord's command to go and take the land as described in Numbers 14. Moses remembered the way he lay prostrate before the Lord hoping that they would not be destroyed for the way they disrespected God. How he fervently prayed for the people, that God would forgive them.
Moses told of the second set of stone tablets Moses chiseled out being written on by the finger of God to replace the first set he had smashed because of his anger at the disobedience of the children of Israel. He described how he made the chest out of acacia wood to place the stone tablets in and that they were in there as he spoke. He spoke of Aaron's death and Eleazar's succession. The Levites had been set apart to do the work of carrying the sacred objects of the tabernacle, which was why they had no share in the inheritance among their brothers. The Lord was their inheritance.
Moses asked them what the Lord required of them. To walk in all His ways, to love Him and to serve Him. It seems a small price for all that the Lord wants to give. (I'll give you a very nice life if you just do what I ask.) Circumcise your hearts. Cut off the stubborn parts. Allow Him inside. Let Him take the lead. They began with 70 members of Jacob's family that went to Egypt. (Genesis 46:27)
Chapter 11 begins with Moses reviewing all the mighty miracles wrought by God on behalf of the Israelites whom He had chosen. They were reminded that they saw these wonders with their own eyes. They were reminded of the awesome power of God to do the unimaginable, to open the earth and swallow men, tents and animals alive. (Num 16) Moses admonished them to follow God to have strength to take over the land of their inheritance, a land that "drinks rain from heaven".
They were cautioned that they would be tempted to worship other gods. Then the Lord would be angry and they would be sorry. Again they are urged to fix the words of God to their hearts and minds. To bind them on their hands and foreheads. Teach them to their children, talk about them and write them on their doorframes and gates. If they followed God's commandments, He would put the terror and fear of them on the whole land, wherever they went.
Moses blessed them and cursed them. They would be blessed if they followed God's commands, they would be cursed if they didn't.
Chapter 12 Moses told them what they were to do once they had settled into the land. Destroy completely all the places of worship of the other gods. The Lord would tell them where He wanted them to worship Him and bring their burnt offerings. They were allowed to eat as much meat as they wanted to eat, but they were not to eat the blood. They were not to eat the tithe offering in their own towns, but to eat them where the Lord told them and they were not to forget the Levites. Moses reminded them that once the nations had been destroyed, not to inquire how they worshiped their gods, because they did detestable things the Lord hates. Moses urged them to do all the Lord commanded and not to add to it or take away from it.
Tomorrow read Deuteronomy 13-16:8
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