It was time for the people to cross over into the Promised Land. Moses could not go with them. Here is a former article which explains why Moses could not go with them: https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/a-tribute-to-moses/. In this lesson Moses warns of obedience and its great importance to God.
Moses explained this. He asked the people to be careful. They were advised to watch themselves closely. All Moses loved and had given his life’s work for was about to depart from him
This must have been a very hard day for Moses.
HEAR O ISRAEL
“Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you.” These words from Moses, remind us of the Jewish prayer called Shema Yisrael. “Hear O Israel; The LORD our God is One.” The faithful say this three times a day. They teach their children to say it. The people are admonished to live this truth daily. Some say this knowledge is all we really need to know to follow God. The Shema is thought to be the most important prayer of Israel.
What Moses was about to say to the Israelites was also important. The speech was about things to be followed and lived out once they reached the land of promise.
FINAL INSTRUCTIONS
Moses told the people of Israel to listen and observe each thing in God’s commandments. They were not to subtract or add to them. The requirement was for the people to do them faithfully. In latter times, Jesus accused the Pharisees of adding and subtracting to the commandments of God. This is not allowed.
Now Moses was instructing the people that these rules were to be carefully observed just as God had given them. There could be no changes, no man-made additions or subtractions.
Ever.
WITNESSED MIRACLES
Moses began by recalling God’s miracles.
They had seen how God handled things in Baal Peor. God had destroyed every follower of Baal. Only those who held fast to God and did not follow the pagan god called Baal had survived. Now these, the faithful; would enter into the land of abundance and plenty.
Moses told them to be wise. He encouraged them to observe God’s commandments in the new place. All would know that Israel is a great nation of an understanding people. They would see how God drew near to the people. Other nations would know how the people were able to draw near to God.
What other nation has such a God as this?
A NATION GOVERNED BY A GOD OF MIRACLES
Through Israel’s obedience the other nations would note how God answers the prayers of the people. Other nations would see that Israel is governed by God.
Over and over Moses reminds them not to forget the things they have seen and heard. He asks them not to let the wonders of God fade from their hearts. The parents were to teach their children about God and His ways. Each new generation was to pass the things they knew down from generation to generation.
Moses reminded them to remember the miracle at the Mountain. They were to remember hearing the voice of God from the mountain blazing with fire through the black clouds and darkness.
All Israelites were to remember the sound of God’s words. They were to keep all that He said. The people saw no form. They only heard a voice which declared the Covenant. God had written the Ten Commandments on stone. The Great God of Israel commanded them to remember the laws and statutes which Moses had taught them.
NO IDOLS
At the foot of the mountain, the people saw no form for God, It was only the sound of His voice that they heard. They were not to create a form and call it the image of God, for no man knew how to do this.
They were not to make idols or images of any shape. Nothing was to be in the form of a man or a woman, or an animal, bird or reptile. God reminded them that He made the stars in the sky and the sun and the moon. They were not to bow down to these creations. The people were only to worship The One True God – the Creator of heaven and earth; not his creation.
FROM SLAVERY TO FREEDOM
Moses reminded the people of how God brought them out of Egypt. God delivered them from slavery. After which, they had become the People of God and inherited the promises God had given to them.
Moses had bargained with God. He had offered himself in place of the sinful people. Now Moses could not cross over with them. He reminded them not to anger God again.
Moses knew he had to die on this side of the river without the blessings. He reminded the people to be grateful and appreciate their blessings.
THE DESTRUCTION OF SIN
Moses warned that sin would have the ability to destroy the people. The LORD would drive them from the land. They would become scattered. Only a few of them would survive among the nations.
The people were never to worship man-made gods of wood and stone which could not see, hear, eat or smell.
RETURN TO THE LORD AND HE WILL RETURN TO YOU
Moses told them there would be times of distress. They were always to return to the Lord God and obey Him. For God is merciful, and He will not abandon or destroy those who turn to Him
God will always remember the covenant with Abraham which He confirmed with an oath.
Moses told them to ask God about the former days. He spoke of the days in which God created the earth. Who else could do such a thing? Only God.
What other God had spoken out of a fire to His people?
What other God had taken a people to made a nation for himself? Only God had done this. He brought this about by testing, signs and wonders, war, a mighty outstretched arm, and great and awesome deeds.
NO OTHER GODS
God had shown His people that He was LORD. There is no other. He had disciplined the people he loved, like little children. God had preserved their inheritance He had defeated their enemies.
Now, Moses advises them to always keep God’s commandments. They must keep God’s statutes and decrees. Things will go well for those who remember.
Next; cities of refuge were set aside. Now the innocent would have a place of safety.
Different cities were designated for different tribes.
And the people sat below the slopes of Pisgah; waiting to move on.