DEUTERONOMY Lesson 1
DISCUSSION CHPTS. 31-32, INTRO TO CHAPTS. 33-34
OPEN WITH PRAYER
Pass out Prayer Request Cards. Fill them out and pass them
NOTES for Ch. 33-34
INTRODUCTION TO CHAPTERS 31-32
These next 4 chapters are the conclusion of the book and or the Torah, the Pentateuch.
CH. 31 places in order the transference of leadership from himself to Joshua. In this chapter, he exhorts the people and prophesies against them of their future apostasy and dispersion.
CH. 32 is Moses’ and Joshua’s Song. God told Moses and Joshua to write this song 31:19, a song so it will be repeated and remembered. We learn more about God in this chapter, this song, than in any other single chapter in the Bible.
DISCUSSION QUETIONS FOR WEEK 15, Aug. 23 CH. 31-32
Ch. 31
1. In Deuteronomy alone we are told 10 times “Do not be afraid”. Jesus is reported telling us not to fear 5 times in the Gospels. Why is it a sin to fear? What things frighten you? How do you overcome your fear?
2. While it is the obligation of the parents to teach their children (Deu. 6:7), The Lord also has a back up plan. What is it? (Deu. 31:10-13) How does this equate to our educational system today? Who has the primary responsibility for teaching our children? Why has this so developed?
3. Why did God commission the song to be written?
4. Moses says that he knows what will happen after he is gone (Deu. 31:29). And he was right. Should a church be held together by the pastor? Have you ever been in a church when a great leader stepped down? What happened to the church?
CH. 32 Moses’ Song
5. How are verses 1-14 like gentle rain to a thirsty plant (Deu. 32:1-2)? What is the message for them? For us?
6. Why will God never blot out Israel, despite their unfaithfulness, as He has done the other people groups like Edom and the Amorities? (Deu. 32:26-27)
7. What have you learned about God from this chapter?
8. What was Moses’ sin that was so bad, God would not let him enter the Promised Land? Why was it terrible? (Deu. 32:51-52) What is the warning for us?
INTRODUCTION TO CHAPTERS 33-34
CH. 33 is Moses’ blessing on the people, tribe by tribe. In contrast it to the blessings and prophecies of Jacob on his sons, Gen. 49, Moses is terse.
DISCUSSION QUETIONS CH. 33-34, FOR WEEK 16, AUG. 23
1. Moses begins his blessing with recounting God’s having come with them through the desert. It is important to remember God promises, God’s instructions, and God’s being with us through the deserts in our lives. How does remembering God’s presence through your deserts affect you daily life?
2. Moses spend little time on Reuben and Judah, and skips Simeon completely, but he has 4 verses dedicated to Levi. 33:10 describes the Levites’ duties. How does this compare or contrast to what our pastors are to do? Why is it especially important for us to hold up our own pastors in prayer?
3. The blessings on Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph’s 2 sons, are part of the blessing on Joseph. They were given the choicest, most fertile land (33:13-17) in the heart of what was to become Israel after the kingdom was broken in two after Solomon’s death. Despite those blessings, those tribes turned away from God most completely and quickly. What is there about being greatly blessed with material wealth that leads people to forget God? (Pr. 30:8-9)
4. Read aloud 33:27-29. 33:29 cries out to us, ”a people saved by the Lord.” Are God’s everlasting arms beneath you? (33:27) Is He your shield and sword?
CH 34
5. Why was it important that no one ever knew where Moses was buried? (34:5) (See 34:10-12 and Judg. 8:22-27)
6. Knowing all you now know about Moses, read Heb. 3:1-6. Describe Moses as a symbol, a shadow of Christ.
7. Has this study changed you or your view of anything we have studied? In what way?