• start of second speech of Moses (Dt. 12:1-26:15)
• contrasting pure worship and pagan worship

• land/obedience connection
• not assimilation but annihilation
• not in the same kind of way

• where the LORD put His name…
• present/future aspects and catalog of offerings
• acknowledgement of deficiency (Judg. 17:6, 21:25)
• repeated emphases of rest/inheritance and cause for rejoicing (Psa. 132:13-14)
• provision for the Levite

• directed and distinct
• things permitted and prohibited
• the blood/life connection (Lev. 17:11)
• repetition of solemn warning
• not in that way…

• Because the LORD is the exclusive God of His people, worship Him exclusively.
• connections to Christ: Jn. 1:14, Acts 4:12, Heb. 4:14-16
• “Mighty God! The Ruler of my heart! Mighty God! My Heart’s true King! You alone reign in majesty! You alone reign in glory! You alone! You alone! You alone are King!” (D. Jernigan, “You Alone Are King”)

• restatement of Ten Commandments (5:1-21) and summary of Law giving (5:22-33)
• right response to the LORD’S sovereign care

• purpose of instruction: that you may do…
• that you may fear…by keeping (Psa. 111:10, 1 Jn. 5:3)
• hearing and doing
• contingency to consider (Ex. 3:7-8)

• passion expressed in the shema
• foundational fidelity to the only One to be worshiped (4:35, 39; Ex. 20:5)
• heart, soul and might: totality of being
• stress on the LORD’S unity and uniqueness

• “words” as the “bridge” between love and obedience
• total “immersion”
• establishment and elimination (Psa. 119:165)
• repeated reminders

• Because you transmit what you treasure, treasure the LORD supremely.
• connections to Christ: Jn. 10:30, 14:31
• “May the Living God, who is the portion and rest of the saints, make these our carnal minds so spiritual, and our earthly hearts so heavenly, that loving Him and delighting in Him may be the work of our lives.” (R. Baxter)

• Deut. 4: hinge between preceding historical prologue and covenant stipulations of Deut. 5-26
• conclusion of Moses’s first major speech in Deuteronomy

• invitation to ponder
• chronological and geographical inquiry
• references to earth and heaven

• hearing God’s voice (revelation)
• extraction from Egypt (redemption)
• the LORD’S methodology detailed and His sovereignty described (mighty hand…outstretched arm)

• that you might know…
• hearing from heaven and discipline
• seeing on earth and deliverance

• know it: intellectual assent
• take it to heart: internal appropriation
• claim the promises of prolonged days and permanent possession

• Because God is matchless in grace and power, trust Him and obey Him
• Connection to Christ: Heb. 1:1-4, Jn. 1:14 and Col. 1:13
• “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” (L. Stead)

• after the serpent/pole account of 21:4-9
• record of the final trek through difficult terrain in route to the Promised Land
• no more accounts of murmuring

• marching to Moab
• significant repetition: set out…camped
• involvement of travelers and writers
• poetic picture of Yahweh poised as a warrior/advocate for His people

• recurring water issues
• refreshment and choral response
• involvement of singers and diggers
• from Pisgah’s “lofty height”

• defeat of Sihon and the Amorites
• involvement of soldiers and singers
• defeat of Og and Bashan
• involvement of spies and soldiers

• Because the LORD always sustains His people, let dependence mark every step of your journey.
• Remember the LORD’S omnipresence, omniscience and omnipotence.
• Spend more energy anticipating your gains than itemizing your losses.
• Connection to Christ: John 4:13-14; Rev. 22:17 (B. Brown “All Who Are Thirsty”)

• preceded by reversal of outcomes at Hormah (14:39-45 and 21:1-3)

• people become impatient on the way
• fault-finding recital resumes
• loathing the LORD’S provision

• blowing away the haze of triviality
• the LORD’S deployment of lethal snakes
• snakes bite, many people die, the people confess their sin
• the assaulted leader as an effective intercessor

• significance of a snake on a pole: look and live (isa. 45:22)
• unique and totally undeserved provision
• indicators of the LORD’S mercy, power and wisdom
• widely available and immediately effective

• Because undeserving rebels may receive salvation based on the LORD’S miraculous mercy, look to Jesus and live.
• distinct connection to Christ and the NT: John 3:14-15
• Stop itemizing grievances and start counting blessings!
• this narrative: a stunning rebuke to the doctrine of self-salvation
• “His word shall not fail you He promised…” (H. Lemmel “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus”)

• third and final travel narrative begins
• leading woman dies outside the Promised Land

• fierce opposition
• connection to Exodus 17: strike/speak contrast

• intense frustration
• sin of Moses and its consequence

• most direct route to Canaan
• relationship to Israel (Gen. 12:3)

• glimmer of hope
• from Aaron to Eleazar

• Knowing that crisis is inevitable and the LORD is infallible, declare His glory and depend on His resources.
• The LORD’s people are “not let off but not let go.” (R. Brown)
• Note the rock/Christ connection: Isa. 48:21, 1 Cor. 10:4, John 4:11-15
• The guarantee of a greater than Moses…
• “Rock of Ages” (A. Toplady)

• narrative with five distinct elements that follows the lousy scouting report of Numbers 13

• grumbling about leaders and about the LORD

• face-down and torn clothes
• reminder of generosity and presentation of options
• threat of stoning

• plague threat
• jealousy for the LORD’S glory, commitment to the LORD’S word, awareness of the LORD’s love

• not let off but not let go
• what the people saw and spoke

• the terrified ten and the presumptuous soldiers

• Because rebellion against the LORD invites ruin, stop grumbling and start obeying.
• NT connection: Heb. 3:6-4:11
• “Other refuge have I none, Hangs my helpless soul on Thee; Leave, ah! Leave me not alone, Still support and comfort me. All my trust is on Thee stayed, All my help from Thee I bring; Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.” (C. Wesley, “Jesus, Lover of My Soul”)

• leaving Sinai for the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land
• after the complaints of Numbers 11 and opposition of Numbers 12
• lament of biblical authors regarding Numbers 13

• the LORD’S command and confirmation
• spies selected and identified

• assessment of land, people and cities
• act courageously
• acquire fruit
• compliance and a cluster of grapes

• return of spies after 40 days
• fruitful land, fearsome people and fortified cities
• minority and majority reports

• Because the LORD’S promises are true, dismiss fearful distortions and depend on His faithfulness.
• Act on the LORD’S promises (Gen. 13:16-17, 22:17-18)
• Reflect on the LORD’S faithfulness (Gen. 12:9)
• Remember the LORD’S generosity (Ex. 3:8)
• Rely on the LORD’S resources (John 15:1-8)
• “The Sands of Time Are Sinking” (A. Cousins)
• “We all need a promised land.” (C. King)

• transition from Sinai to Wilderness: a massive movement of people
• preceded by reminders of the LORD’S provision (ark/cloud) (10:33-36)

• irony: three days into the journey
• basis of complaint and its frequency: what they were dealt and denied
• the LORD’S response: burning displeasure

• identity and infection of the rabble
• a case of selective memory and a seven-course meal
• perceived menu malfunction

• overlooked and undervalued provision
• dissatisfied preoccupation with circumstances

• a “hissy fit” in the wilderness
• inaccurate perception and inappropriate death wish
• contrasting connection to Christ: Heb. 3:1-6, 9:28

• Knowing the assault and impact of complaining, confirm the LORD’S character and praise His provision.
• Guard against spiritual amnesia (1 Cor. 10:1-13)
• “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” (W. Williams)

• conclusion of one-year stay at Sinai and beginning of journey through wilderness to promised land
• first and second Passover observances (Ex. 12 and Num. 9:1)
• new beginnings: Law, priesthood/sacrificial system, tabernacle

• tabernacle: God’s presence with and among His people-constantly
• pillar of cloud by day
• pillar of fire by night

• cloud moves/people move
• cloud stops/people camp

• constant uncertainty of departure, duration and immediate destination
• the principle of dependence
• keeping the charge: adherence to divine command

• Because the Lord demonstrates a historical pattern of going before His people, depend on Him to go before you.
• how this text both encourages and exposes:
• “Israel in the wilderness had nothing which we do not possess.” (Maclaren)
• “There is no time lost, while we are waiting on God’s time.” (Henry)
• connection to Christ: Heb. 11:39-40 and John 1:14
• “A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify, a never-dying soul to save, and fit it for the sky. Arm me with watchful care as in Thy sight to live, and now Thy servant, Lord, prepare, a strict account to give!” (Wesley, “A Charge to Keep I Have”)