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Deuteronomy 29

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1These are the words of the covenant which Yahweh commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, in addition to the covenant which he made with them in Horeb. 2Moses called to all Israel, and said to them: Your eyes have seen all that Yahweh did in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land; 3the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs, and those great wonders. 4But Yahweh has not given you a heart to know, eyes to see, and ears to hear, to this day. 5I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not grown old on you, and your shoes have not grown old on your feet. 6You have not eaten bread, neither have you drunk wine or strong drink; that you may know that I am Yahweh your God. 7When you came to this place, Sihon the king of Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, came out against us to battle, and we struck them. 8We took their land, and gave it for an inheritance to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of the Manassites. 9Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do. 10All of you stand today in the presence of Yahweh your God; your heads, your tribes, your elders, and your officers, even all the men of Israel, 11your little ones, your wives, and the foreigners who are in the middle of your camps, from the one who cuts your wood to the one who draws your water; 12that you may enter into the covenant of Yahweh your God, and into his oath, which Yahweh your God makes with you today; 13that he may establish you today as his people, and that he may be your God, as he spoke to you, and as he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. 14Neither do I make this covenant and this oath with you only, 15but with those who stand here with us today before Yahweh our God, and also with those who are not here with us today 16(for you know how we lived in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the middle of the nations through which you passed; 17and you have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them); 18lest there should be among you man, woman, family, or tribe whose heart turns away today from Yahweh our God, to go to serve the gods of those nations; lest there should be among you a root that produces bitter poison; 19and it happen, when he hears the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, “I shall have peace, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart, to destroy the moist with the dry.” 20Yahweh will not pardon him, but then Yahweh’s anger and his jealousy will smoke against that man, and all the curse that is written in this book will fall on him, and Yahweh will blot out his name from under the sky. 21Yahweh will set him apart for evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that is written in this book of the law. 22The generation to come, your children who will rise up after you, and the foreigner who will come from a far land, will say, when they see the plagues of that land, and the sicknesses with which Yahweh has made it sick; 23and that all of its land is sulfur, salt, and burning, that it is not sown, doesn’t produce, nor does any grass grow in it, like the overthrow of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, which Yahweh overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath; 24even all the nations will say, “Why has Yahweh done thus to this land? What does the heat of this great anger mean?” 25Then men will say, “Because they abandoned the covenant of Yahweh, the God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them out of the land of Egypt, 26and went and served other gods, and worshiped them, gods that they didn’t know, and that he had not given to them. 27Therefore Yahweh’s anger burned against this land, to bring on it all the curses that are written in this book. 28Yahweh rooted them out of their land in anger, in wrath, and in great indignation, and thrust them into another land, as it is today.” 29The secret things belong to Yahweh our God; but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

World English Bible (public domain)

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,”

Deuteronomy 29:19

Summary

In Deuteronomy chapter 29, Moses convenes the Israelites to reaffirm their covenant with God as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This chapter emphasizes the importance of commitment to God's commands and the consequences of disobedience. Moses reminds the people of God's faithfulness during their forty years in the wilderness, highlighting both His miraculous works and the necessity of their loyalty. A call to heed the lessons of history, the chapter serves as a solemn and heartfelt reminder of Israel's choice to embrace life in obedience or face the consequences of disobedience.

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Chapter outline

How Deuteronomy 29 unfolds

  1. Deuteronomy 29:1–4 The Covenant Reminder

    Moses calls Israel together to reaffirm the covenant made by Yahweh, highlighting the miraculous signs they witnessed in Egypt and the importance of understanding their significance.

  2. Deuteronomy 29:5–9 God’s Sustaining Presence

    Moses recounts the forty years of wilderness wandering, emphasizing God's provision and care, urging them to keep the covenant for their prosperity.

  3. Deuteronomy 29:10–15 Inclusivity of the Covenant

    Moses addresses all members of Israel, including foreigners, stressing that the covenant is for everyone present and those yet to come.

  4. Deuteronomy 29:16–21 Warning Against Idolatry

    Moses warns against turning to foreign gods, emphasizing the danger of disobedience and the severe consequences it brings upon individuals and the community.

  5. Deuteronomy 29:22–28 Consequences of Disobedience

    The chapter describes how future generations will witness the consequences of abandoning God's covenant, highlighting the historic repercussions of such actions.

  6. Deuteronomy 29:29 Revelation and Obedience

    The closing verse speaks to the mysteries known only to God, contrasting them with the revealed commandments meant for Israel’s adherence.

Key verses

  • Deuteronomy 29:19The key verse underscores the pivotal choice facing Israel, highlighting the weight of their decision for life and blessing.

Main themes in Deuteronomy 29

Covenant faithfulness

Covenant faithfulness is highlighted in verses 1-9, where Moses reaffirms the covenant established by Yahweh. The chapter develops this theme by underscoring the importance of adherence to God's commands for prosperity in the Promised Land. This underscores the significance of relationship with Yahweh as essential for Israel's identity and future.

Choice and consequence

The theme of choice and consequence emerges in verses 18-21, where Moses warns against turning away from Yahweh. The chapter complicates this theme by illustrating the dire repercussions of such choices on both individuals and the nation. It emphasizes that their decisions hold weight not only for themselves but for future generations.

Divine justice

Divine justice is evident in verses 27-28, where the text details the consequences of abandoning the covenant established by God. The chapter develops this theme by illustrating that God's anger leads to concrete outcomes, emphasizing that disobedience to His commands results in justice being served. This serves as a sober reminder that failing to uphold the covenant not only affects the individual but also brings serious repercussions upon the entire community.

Historical remembrance

Historical remembrance is a key theme in verses 22-25, where Moses connects Israel's future with their past experiences of God's judgment. The chapter develops this theme by recalling significant historical events that serve as warnings for future generations. This remembrance reinforces the importance of learning from history to maintain faithfulness to God.

Cross-references

Passages that echo Deuteronomy 29

Study questions

Questions for studying Deuteronomy 29

  1. What specific events in Egypt does Moses remind the Israelites of?
  2. How does Moses describe God's care during the wilderness years?
  3. What does Moses imply about future generations and their understanding of God’s actions?
  4. Why does Moses emphasize the inclusion of foreigners in the covenant?
  5. What are the consequences mentioned for those who turn to other gods?
  6. How does this chapter connect the covenant with the land they are about to enter?
  7. What is the significance of the 'secret things' mentioned at the end of the chapter?

Deuteronomy 29: frequently asked questions

What is Deuteronomy 29 about?+
In Deuteronomy chapter 29, Moses convenes the Israelites to reaffirm their covenant with God as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This chapter emphasizes the importance of commitment to God's commands and the consequences of disobedience. Moses reminds the people of God's faithfulness during their forty years in the wilderness, highlighting both His miraculous works and the necessity of their loyalty. A call to heed the lessons of history, the chapter serves as a solemn and heartfelt reminder of Israel's choice to embrace life in obedience or face the consequences of disobedience.
What is the key verse in Deuteronomy 29?+
Deuteronomy 29:19: "“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,”"
What are the main themes of Deuteronomy 29?+
The main themes of Deuteronomy 29 are Covenant faithfulness, Choice and consequence, Divine justice, Historical remembrance.

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Study Notes