Deuteronomy 9: Group Study Handout

Overview

Israel is to enter the Promised Land and dispossess nations greater than themselves (vv. 1-3). They must not think they are deserving of this land because of their own righteousness, but because of the wickedness of the nations living there (vv. 4-6). Moses recalls how the people provoked Yahweh during their time in the wilderness (vv. 7-9). He recounts going up the mountain to receive the covenant tablets, which were written by God (vv. 10-14). When Moses came down, he broke the tablets after seeing the people's sin of making a molten calf (vv. 15-21). Their rebellion continued at various locations, showing their unfaithfulness (vv. 22-24). Moses intercedes for the people, appealing to Yahweh to remember His promises to their ancestors and to spare them (vv. 25-29).

Key verse

“Know therefore, that Yahweh your God doesn’t give you this good land to possess for your righteousness; for you are a stiff-necked people.”

Deuteronomy 9:6 (WEB)

Outline

1. Deuteronomy 9:1–3 Entering the Promised Land
2. Deuteronomy 9:4–6 Not by Their Righteousness
3. Deuteronomy 9:7–9 Rebellion in the Wilderness
4. Deuteronomy 9:10–14 The Covenant Tablets
5. Deuteronomy 9:15–21 Breaking the Tablets
6. Deuteronomy 9:22–24 Continued Rebellion
7. Deuteronomy 9:25–29 Moses' Intercession

Discussion questions

1. In v4, what should the Israelites not say in their hearts after Yahweh drives out the nations?
2. What does Moses recount in vv. 13-14 about the people’s behavior at Horeb?
3. Moses' plea in vv. 26-29: how does he appeal to Yahweh's relationship with the Israelites?
4. The phrase 'stiff-necked people' in v6: what does this imply about the Israelites' character?
5. When have you felt like a 'stiff-necked' person, resisting change in your life?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Deuteronomy 9: Exodus 32, Deuteronomy 4, Deuteronomy 31.

Before next time: read Deuteronomy 10.