Read over the following verses and comment: Deuteronomy 17:18; 27:1ff; 31:10

Deuteronomy is a review of the law and is the book that Jesus quotes from the most.

Warnings are given in Deuteronomy about compromise as well as disobedience. The tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half of the tribe of Manasseh fulfilled their responsibility to their people by fighting to re-claim the land to the west. However they later returned to the east side of the Jordan and turned to idolatry and pretty much imploded.

Deuteronomy 17:18-19 talks to the role of the king:

18And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites.

19And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them.

Deuteronomy 17 also prohibited kings from accumulating wives, a law too often ignored by the kings.

In Deuteronomy 27 God promised the people a “land flowing with milk and honey” if they would “Keep all these commands that I give you today.” After crossing the Jordan the people were told to write the Laws given to them on large stones and coat them with plaster. These were to be set up on Mount Ebal and the people were to build there an altar to the Lord. There were laws concerning the building of the altar and to offer burnt offerings and more.

I can picture God looking frustrated and saying, “All I have I want to give you if you would just do as you are told.”

It seems Israel has often tried the patience of God. God commanded, Israel disobeyed, God punished them, Israel repented and God blessed them. However, Israel was and is the chosen people of God, a fact our country, our church and our politicians should remember.

The Book of Deuteronomy commanded three mandatory feasts: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Shavout, and the Feast of Tabernacles.

And contains the awesome Sh’ma, the Great Commandment (Deuteronomy 6:4-9): “Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God is one LORD: and thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thine soul, and with all thine might.” And along with that love, just obey God already!