Deuteronomy 32

Theme of chapter: God's prophetic song for the people of Israel, before they entered the promised land.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. (Reference to Jesus Christ)

15But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. (A picture of America today. Rich and complaining, and hardly giving any time, if any, to Christ)

Most prominent word: doctrine (teaching; instruction)

Teaching about Christ: Jesus is the Rock of Salvation

Command to obey: Keep your eye on the Rock.

Promise to claim: God will always judge unrepentant sin.

New truth learned: God allowed Moses to go atop a mountain and view the promised land, but was not allowed to go in, as he had sinned against God when he struck the rock.

Deuteronomy 31

Theme of chapter: Moses is 120 years old and isn't allowed to go into the promised land. God has chosen Joshua to lead the people to the promised land. God tells Moses that as soon as they enter the land they will start worshipping Idols and God will punish them.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 31:20 For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant. (Much like in our affluent society, we have so much we think we don't need God or minimally don't think much about him, unless some tragedy befall us, and then it's down on our knees until the tragedy passes, and then its back to business as usual.)

Most prominent word: latter days (speaks of the end of the age; end of the period of grace)

Teaching about Christ: Christ's return is the only thing that will bring peace to Israel.

Command to obey: the path to destruction is wide and easy, stay in the Word and trust Jesus Christ.

Promise to claim: the people of Israel will be trodden until Jesus returns, because of their unbelief in Christ and their disobedience to God.

New truth learned: Moses encourages his people to be strong and courageous as God is with them in entering the land. He didn't want a repeat performance of 40 years ago, when they were too scared to obey God and take the land.

Deuteronomy 30

Theme of chapter: Unconditional promise by God, that the people of Israel will return to their land in the latter day, and will also return to God and repent.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 30:2 And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul; (God is speaking prophetically here that the people of Israel "shalt" not "if" return to God and also to their land)

Most prominent word: return (to go back)

Teaching about Christ: When Jesus returns the promised land will be restored.

Command to obey: Stay in the Word and flee from sin.

Promise to claim: In the latter day, the Jews will return to Israel and the land will be restored. (God hasn't forgotten about Israel)

New truth learned: The people of Israel bounce back and forth through scripture in obeying God and then turning away. In the end, when Christ returns, they will obey God and have a heart for God, and despise all sin.

Deuteronomy 29

Theme of chapter: God remarks about the land of Israel being cursed unto this day and the people of Israel are scattered around the world.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 29:4 Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger?

25Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt: (that land is desolate and full of rocks today, it doesn't get much rain and therefore doesn't grow much)

Most prominent word: covenant (treaty; compact; agreement)

Teaching about Christ: When Christ comes back the land will be restored and the people of Israel will be back in the land.

Command to obey: worship the Lord daily, and be thankful for the blessings you have.

Promise to claim: God's promises stand the test of time.

New truth learned: The people of Israel always tended to stray and worship idols, back in that day, made of wood and stone. It seems ridiculous in our present age, but we have much more sophisticated idols these days.

Deuteronomy 28

Theme of chapter: God's big 'If' for Israel. Abundant blessings for Israel if they obey the law, and abundant curses if they don't.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 28:49 The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; (God already knowing they will disobey gives the prophecy of a foreign nation that will come and boot them out of the land.)

Most prominent word: cursed (to be the object of God's anger in affliction and punishment)

Teaching about Christ: Christ is slow to anger and quick to forgive the repentant sinner.

Command to obey: Stay in the will of God. Outside his will is a dangerous place.

Promise to claim: Jesus is the one true God. To whom much is given, much is required. We're given the word of God freely in the U.S., our judgement will be much worse than those living under oppression or not given the text, in what we do with it.

New truth learned: The people of Israel were in the promised land on a conditional basis. It's interesting that God gives the prophecy of them being kicked out of the land and would endure much more suffering because of their disobedience.

Deuteronomy 27

Theme of chapter: Announcing the blessings and curses that would occur for breaking laws of God.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 27:1 And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day. (the people of Israel were to continue to be under law once in the promised land)

Most prominent word: plaister (lime; plaster; used as whitewash)

Teaching about Christ: Christ is holy and his commandments are holy and just.

Command to obey: Strive to be physically and spiritually pure.

Promise to claim: Disobeying God brings chastisement to the believer and judgement to the lost.

New truth learned: The people of Israel were continually under the heavy weight of the law, that no one except Jesus could ever obey completely.

Deuteronomy 26

Theme of chapter: The first Thanksgiving Day

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 26:2 That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there.

Most prominent word: avouched (to say; speak; think)

Teaching about Christ: Every good thing is given by Christ

Command to obey: Give thanks daily to the Lord for all blessings.

Promise to claim: The Lord keeps his promises even when we don't

New truth learned: The concept of a Thanksgiving Day is from the bible. The first Thanksgiving day is in this chapter as the people of Israel give thanks to God for their blessings.

Deuteronomy 25

Theme of chapter: Laws concerning misdemeanor crime, protecting widows.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 25:3 Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee. (God's law was to flog criminals publicly, not put them in jails for periods of time. I think crime would drop dramatically, if public flogging was the punishment for crime instead of the ridiculous suspended sentence probation and fine crap that goes on today. )

Most prominent word: stripes (to be struck; to be beat)

Teaching about Christ: When Christ returns, sin and the flesh will be put away.

Command to obey: Governments should punish sin not let them go free. Give to those who give out the Word of God(pay your preacher). Be just and fair in business practices.

Promise to claim: The Lord punishes unrepentant sin.

New truth learned: If there were prisons in Israel in that day, they had to be pretty empty. As murderers, adulterers, and the like were executed and most all other criminals were flogged in public. I would imagine they had a low crime rate. It just makes sense, if you don't punish crime then crime just increases, if you punish crime then it decreases. (duh..why can't we get that right?)

Deuteronomy 24

Theme of chapter: God's laws of divorce, protecting the family, caring for the poor, and against slavery.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 24:1 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. (It is not God's direct will, but his permissive will to allow divorce due to the sinful nature and hard heartedness of sinful man.)

Most prominent word: divorcement (the legal dissolution of a marriage)

Teaching about Christ: The lord ordained marriage between a man and a woman that they should come together as one. As the church is to be married to Christ.

Command to obey: Do not oppress the poor, the fatherless or the widow. Give to them with a glad heart.

Promise to claim: Blessed are those who bless the poor and down trodden.

New truth learned: God really gets down to where we live each day. He has laws against wife swapping of all things, against slavery, and laws for aiding the poor.

Deuteronomy 23

Theme of chapter: God is holy and lists the type of people that can't be in his presence. Also, speaks of the daily battles of the Christian.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 23:2 A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD. (speaks of the sinner that isn't born again unto Christ. No illegitimate sinner is permitted in heaven, only those under the blood of Christ)

Most prominent word: paddle (tent peg; stake; pin; tool for digging)

Teaching about Christ: legalism nor any works you've done that you feel are good will get you to heaven. Faith in Christ alone.

Command to obey: Don't hate the flesh, enjoy the good things God has set before you, but don't love the things of this world, love God.

If you make a promise, especially to God, he expects you to keep it. It is no small thing to make a vow unto God.

Promise to claim: No harlot, bastard, sodomite, in other words, no sinner on his own merits will make it to heaven.

New truth learned: God is big on cleanliness, both inward and outward.

Deuteronomy 22

Theme of chapter: God gives us his good neighbor policy. He also gives his ruling on adultery and rape.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 22:1 Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother. (Jesus summed it up by saying, love your neighbor as yourself)

Most prominent word: restore (turn back; recover; bring back)

Teaching about Christ: Jesus cares about every part of our life. How we treat others, how we treat animals, how we should take safety precautions when building houses, etc. He gets right down to where we live each day.

Command to obey: Love your neighbor as yourself. Do not commit adultery.

Promise to claim: Judgement comes to the unrepentant sinner.

New truth learned: Under the law, adulterers and rapist were stoned.

Deuteronomy 21

Theme of chapter: Laws of procedure when a dead body is found that was murdered. More details of the strictness of the laws.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 21:20 And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.

21 And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear. (the prodigal son wouldn't have made it back under law, he would've been killed)

Most prominent word: first born (certain inheritance rights given to the first born)

Teaching about Christ: God gave a parable about the prodigal son in the New Testament, that the boy had been born again, learned his lesson and came back to the father. He would've just been stoned under the law.

Command to obey: obey the Lord to avoid chastisement

Promise to claim: without the saving grace of Christ, there is nothing but harsh judgement for the sinner.

New truth learned: if a murderer was hanged, he wasn't to be left on the tree all night, for he that is hanged is accursed of God. Pointing to Christ who was accursed for our sakes.

Deuteronomy 20

Theme of chapter: God gives instruction on how to create a volunteer army. Instructs Israel how to conduct military actions.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 18:1 When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. (No army can stand against one that God is with)

Most prominent word: bulwark (stronghold; fortification; defense; seige)

Teaching about Christ: The Lord is a jealous God and will not accept any worship accept unto him.

Command to obey: Stay in God's will to avoid chastisement and judgements.

Promise to claim: If God be with you, then who can be against you.

New truth learned: God's volunteer army did not include anyone who's heart was somewhere else, such as a man with a new wife, new home, vineyard, etc. No cowards were allowed either. These people were to stay home, only the people who wanted to fight for their country and their countrymen were to apply.

Deuteronomy 19

Theme of chapter: God tells the people of Israel to set aside 3 cities to allow people who accidentally kill another person to hide and live. As the person did not hate, and was just an accident. However, for the murderer and the false witness he has swift judgement.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 19:13 Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee. (No 20 life sentences here with weights, cable and internet. capital punishment for murderers)

Most prominent word: landmark (territory boundary; border)

Teaching about Christ: Reading about all the judgements of a holy God given to sinful man, it makes you thankful for the saving grace of Jesus Christ. I'll take the pardon, he took the penalty.

Command to obey: Do not bear false witness against your neighbor. In Moses day, the penalty would be whatever you were trying to have done to your neighbor would be done unto you.

Promise to claim: Christ has redeemed us from judgements and eternal damnation.

New truth learned: The death penalty and the judgements of false witness' served as a great deterrent to would-be law breakers. Something, we as a nation, can't get through our thick heads in this postmodern era we live in today.

Deuteronomy 18

Theme of chapter: God speaks about the Levites being set aside and holy unto the service of God. Warns the people about dabbling in the occult. And finally, speaks about the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 18:18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. (Speaking of the first coming of Jesus Christ)

Most prominent word: prophet (a person who speaks a message from God to the people.)

Teaching about Christ: This chapter speaks of the coming of Christ who is in the perfect will of the Father, performing every task that is set for him to do. The most important being to die for you and me on the cross.

Command to obey: In Moses day the people had to be wary of false prophets, in the New Testament world we have to be wary of false teachers. Study the Word to be able to discern.

Give to people and/or organizations that faithfully give out the Word of God.

Promise to claim: Those who respond to Word of Christ shall be saved.

New truth learned: The occult was live and well back in Moses era, and God warned his people against it.

Deuteronomy 17

Theme of chapter: How the people of Israel were to judge cases between the people. Rules for Kings to follow.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 17:1 Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination unto the LORD thy God.(God wants your very best in giving and sacrifice, not your used hand me down that is of little value to you. )

Most prominent word: stroke (plague; mildew; infection; sores)

Teaching about Christ: Jesus is the one true God. Many people in that day, and in this day, worshiped the creature instead of the creator, being Jesus Christ.

Command to obey: The death penalty is ordained to government by God. Failure to use it increases crime and lawlessness abound. The liberal who thinks he's preserving and respecting life by not killing the murderer, is in reality showing great disrespect for life and to the creator.

Promise to claim: The death penalty deters would be law breakers.

New truth learned: A man could not be put to death for a capital offense unless there were two or more witnesses.

Deuteronomy 16

Theme of chapter: Explanation and rules of the three main feasts at Jerusalem (passover, pentecost, and tabernacle)

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 16:5 Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee: (the feasts were to be held in Jerusalem only)

Most prominent word: feast (festival)

Teaching about Christ: feast of pentecost was to celebrate the decension of the Holy Spirit unto the apostles after Jesus' ascension to heaven.

Command to obey: don't place anything between you and God. pray and confess your sins daily.

Promise to claim: the Lord keeps his promises through generations and forever.

New truth learned: all the men of Israel were required to attend these feasts.

Deuteronomy 15

Theme of chapter: The people of Israel are to lend money to all, especially the poor and even give unto them.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 15:11 For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land. (God says that the poor will always be, and we should give liberally to them)

Most prominent word: give (yield; grant; to be given)

Teaching about Christ: Christ spoke about the poor always being with you in the New Testament and he speaks of it here in the Old Testament.

Command to obey: Give with a glad heart to the poor and needy.

Promise to claim: Obedience = love to God.

New truth learned: Loans and debts were made null and void at the end of every 7 years.

Deuteronomy 14

Theme of chapter: God instructs the people of Israel on clean and unclean animals.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 14:6 And every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that ye shall eat. (animals with parted hooves and ate grass were permissable to eat)

Most prominent word: clean (pure, flawless)

Teaching about Christ: a picture of the body of Christ is here. the parted hooves represents the believer separated unto Christ, and the chewing of the cud represents the believer meditating and studying the Word of God.

Command to obey: Study the Word of God daily

Promise to claim: obedience brings blessing and the opposite brings curses.

New truth learned: the people of Israel had a strict diet to adhere to and manner of preparation of that food. they were under the heavy burden of the law.

Deuteronomy 13

Theme of chapter: God has zero tolerance for idolators. In that day, they were to be stoned immediately.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 13:10 And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. (people who led others away from the one true God, were treated as a cancer to be removed)

Most prominent word: stone (to execute with pelting of stones)

Teaching about Christ: there is only one true God and that is Jesus Christ

Command to obey: Put away anything that comes between you and your worship of God

Promise to claim: God has mercy for the repentant sinner

New truth learned: Idolatry was truly treated as a cancer back then. Even a friend or relative that tried to do anything to make a person turn to idolatry was immediately dealt with by stoning them.

Deuteronomy 12

Theme of chapter: God instructs the people of Israel to utterly destroy the inhabitants of the promised land as they are all idolators.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 12:2 Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: (the cup of inquity had filled up for these people, and God judged them through the people of Israel)

Deuteronomy 12:8 Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes. (a good illustration of our country and the world today)

Most prominent word: graven images (the object of idol worship; idol worship today comes in the form of anything that comes between you and your worship of God, what you place higher than God in your life)

Teaching about Christ: The Lord is a jealous God.

Command to obey: Obedience to God is the key to showing love to God.

Promise to claim: God judges sin from Genesis to Revelation.

New truth learned: Once the people of Israel have driven out the people that were in the land and they have safety, then the temple would be built, and that would be the place for the people of Israel to worship God.

Deuteronomy 11

Theme of chapter: God requires obedience unto him for Israel to possess the promised land and to continue to stay there.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 11:11 But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven: (this land is not irrigated like Egypt was, this promised land is hilly and gets its water solely from rain, thus making the people of Israel dependent upon God.)

Most prominent word: blessing (God's favor and protection)

Teaching about Christ: The blessings the Lord promises the saved today are spiritual, the blessings promised to the Jews were temporal and material.

Command to obey: Obedience to God's will brings about blessings and peace. Lack there of from his children, bring chastisement.

Promise to claim: God's promises to us are spiritual, though his grace causes him to bless us in all ways.

New truth learned: Israel's experience in the promised land was based on their actions and obedience to God. It was blessings or curses for them.

Deuteronomy 10

Theme of chapter: Moses receives the 10 commandments the second time around. Moses tells the people of Israel what a blessed nation they are.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 10:14 Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD's thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. (God owns everything and is in control of everything.)

Most prominent word: tables (tablets of stone that God wrote the 10 commandments upon)

Teaching about Christ: Jesus loves the stranger, the widow, the fatherless, blessing them.

Command to obey: Love your neighbor as yourself. Love the stranger and give to the truly needy.

Promise to claim: It is by obedience to the Lord that you show your love to God.

New truth learned: The old testament is all about love and obedience.

Deuteronomy 9

Theme of chapter: the new generation of Israel is about to go in and take the promised land. Moses reminds them that they are getting the land because they are righteous, but because the people of the land are wicked and are to be drived out.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 9:7 Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD. (God shows them that they are rebellious sinners)

Most prominent word: rebellious (defy; to become disobedient)

Teaching about Christ: The Lord has great abundance of patience.

Command to obey: Study and meditate on the Word of God and the ways of God, otherwise sin creeps in.

Promise to claim: No matter how much we break promises, God never breaks a promise.

New truth learned: Moses wanted to make sure the people of Israel weren't going to be haughty or pious in God giving them the promised land. Moses pointed out all their flaws and sins and rebellion. He wanted them to make no mistake that they weren't little choir boys and girls and deserved anything. God promises and delivers, and it was time for the wicked people of that land to go.

Deuteronomy 8

Theme of chapter: God gives the people of Israel a stern warning against becoming proud and forgetting about God.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 8:5 Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. (God disciplines us just as parents discipline their children.)

Most prominent word: chasteneth (to correct; discipline)

Teaching about Christ: Christ disciplines his own.

Command to obey: Obey God and judge yourself of your sins, to avoid being disciplined by the Father.

Promise to claim: God is our Father in heaven and he will discipline his children.

New truth learned: During the 40 year march the peoples garments did not wear out and their feet did not swell. (Feet swelling coming from eating the same food and not getting proper nutrients). God cared for his people and they didn't need for anything.

Deuteronomy 7

Theme of chapter: A new generation is set to move in to the promised land. God gives them temporal material blessings based on their obedience.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; (The Lord is the one true God.)

Most prominent word: graven image (idol; carved image; these were an abomination to God and he utterly destroyed these people by the hand of Israel)

Teaching about Christ: Christ loves and cares for his own.

Command to obey: Obedience is reciprocating love to God.

Promise to claim: If God be with you, who can stand against you.

New truth learned: All of Israel's blessings here, and there were many, were contingent upon their obedience to God's laws. If they fell into idolatry they would be destroyed as were the other people's.

Deuteronomy 6

Theme of chapter: Moses shows the people of Israel that by keeping the law they will be prosperous and live long lives.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 6: 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: (The trinity is presented here)

Most prominent word: God (lohim; the plural of majesty; plural in form but singular in meaning; represents the trinity in the above verse)

Teaching about Christ: Jesus is the second person of the trinity(Father, son, and holy spirit)

Command to obey: Be obedient to God. God loves us and we are to be obedient to his Word which shows our love for him.

Promise to claim: Obedience to God gives blessings to the person in long life and prosperity(not necessarily material)

New truth learned: Moses reminded the people how affluence brings about apathy for God, as we feel we don't need God because everything is going so well. We couldn't be more wrong. God is a jealous God and will not have his people worship other things.

Deuteronomy 5

Theme of chapter: Moses recounts the law given to Israel.

Most important verse: Deuteronomy 5:15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day. (The sabbath day was for the people of Israel, a remembrance of God freeing them from slavery)

Most prominent word: commandments (order; prescription; instruction)

Teaching about Christ: The commandments are a mirror to show a person that he is a sinner, and is to draw him unto the cross for forgiveness.

Command to obey: The 10 commandments are given here.

Promise to claim: Walking in the ways of the Lord and obeying his commandments as best as possible for sinful man, will prolong your life.

New truth learned: The people of Israel talked the talk, but didn't walk the walk. They said they wanted to do the will of God, just tell them what to do, but they fell into idolatry and other wickedness anyway.