1 These [are] the words of the covenant, which the LORD commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb.
2 And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land;
3 The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles:
4 Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.
5 And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.
6 Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I [am] the LORD your God.
7 And when ye came unto this place, Sihon the king of Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, came out against us unto battle, and we smote them:
8 And we took their land, and gave it for an inheritance unto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh.
9 Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.
10 Ye stand this day all of you before the LORD your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, [with] all the men of Israel,
11 Your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that [is] in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water:
12 That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the LORD thy God, and into his oath, which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day:
13 That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself, and [that] he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
14 Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath;
15 But with [him] that standeth here with us this day before the LORD our God, and also with [him] that [is] not here with us this day:
16 (For ye know how we have dwelt in the land of Egypt; and how we came through the nations which ye passed by;
17 And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which [were] among them:)
18 Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go [and] serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;
19 And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:
20 The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.
21 And the LORD shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law:
22 So that the generation to come of your children that shall rise up after you, and the stranger that shall come from a far land, shall say, when they see the plagues of that land, and the sicknesses which the LORD hath laid upon it;
23 [And that] the whole land thereof [is] brimstone, and salt, [and] burning, [that] it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:
24 Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what [meaneth] the heat of this great anger?
25 Then 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:
26 For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and [whom] he had not given unto them:
27 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book:
28 And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as [it is] this day.
29 The secret [things belong] unto the LORD our God: but those [things which are] revealed [belong] unto us and to our children for ever, that [we] may do all the words of this law.
Summary of Deuteronomy Chapter 29
Deuteronomy 29 is a significant chapter in the biblical text, as it serves as a renewal of the covenant between God and the Israelites. This chapter emphasizes the importance of obedience to God’s commandments and the consequences of disobedience. It is a call for the people to remember their history and the mighty acts of God, while also urging them to commit to the covenant they are about to enter.
Key Themes
- Covenant Renewal: The chapter emphasizes the renewal of the covenant, highlighting the relationship between God and His people.
- Remembrance of God’s Acts: It calls upon the Israelites to remember their journey and the miracles performed by God during their time in Egypt and the wilderness.
- Obedience and Consequences: The text stresses the importance of adhering to God’s laws and the repercussions that come from turning away from them.
- Inclusivity of the Covenant: The covenant is presented as inclusive, extending to all members of the community, including leaders, elders, and even future generations.
Detailed Analysis
Verses 1-8: Historical Context and God’s Faithfulness
The chapter opens with Moses reminding the Israelites of the covenant established at Horeb and the various signs and wonders God performed in Egypt. This historical context serves to reinforce the faithfulness of God and His power.
- Moses recounts the Israelites’ journey and how God led them through the wilderness.
- The emphasis is placed on the miraculous events that should serve as a foundation for their faith.
- This section sets the stage for the renewal of the covenant, reminding the people of their identity as God’s chosen ones.
Verses 9-15: Call to Obedience
In these verses, Moses urges the Israelites to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord. The call to obedience is central to the covenant relationship.
- The people are reminded that their prosperity and success in the land depend on their adherence to God’s laws.
- The language used emphasizes the collective responsibility of the community, highlighting that both leaders and ordinary citizens are included in this covenant.
- This section also addresses future generations, indicating that the covenant is not just for the present but for all who will come after them.
Verses 16-21: Warning Against Idolatry
Moses warns the Israelites against the dangers of idolatry and turning away from God. He highlights the consequences of such actions.
- The text describes the potential for individuals to lead others astray, emphasizing the communal impact of personal sin.
- God’s anger is portrayed as a response to disobedience, which can result in severe consequences for the entire community.
- This warning serves as a crucial reminder of the seriousness of their commitment to the covenant.
Verses 22-29: Future Consequences and God’s Sovereignty
The chapter concludes with a prophetic vision of the future, where the consequences of disobedience are laid out. The Israelites are warned that if they turn away from God, they will face destruction and exile.
- The text emphasizes that such outcomes will serve as a testimony to future generations about the importance of faithfulness to God.
- God’s sovereignty is affirmed, as He knows the hearts of the people and their potential for turning away from Him.
- This section highlights the balance between God’s justice and mercy, indicating that while there are consequences for sin, there is also hope for repentance and restoration.
Conclusion
Deuteronomy 29 serves as a pivotal chapter in the narrative of the Israelites, emphasizing the importance of covenant renewal, obedience, and the consequences of turning away from God. It calls the community to remember their history, recognize their responsibilities, and understand the implications of their choices. The chapter reinforces the idea that the covenant is a living relationship between God and His people, requiring ongoing commitment and faithfulness.
