The Essence of the Law

Chapters 5 to 11 of the Book of Deuteronomy focus heavily on reinforcing the Law, the covenant between God and Israel, and the preparation of the Israelites to live faithfully in the Promised Land. These chapters highlight Moses's instructions and reminders about the importance of obedience, love, and loyalty to God.

Before we review the material in chapters 5 to 11, I want us to examine the nations that were already living in the land of Canaan which the Jews were sent to displace and destroy. Their end was not based simply on the fact that they were not part of the Jewish nation but because of their immoral behavior largely due to their pagan religious practices which were an abomination to the true and living God.

The condemnation and command to drive out these nations are primarily found in texts like Deuteronomy 7 and Joshua 9. For example, Deuteronomy 7:1-2 states:

"When the Lord your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you— and when the Lord your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy."

When the Israelites entered the land of Canaan, it was inhabited by various groups known collectively as the Canaanites. Each of these groups had distinct tribal identities and religious practices, often involving polytheism centered around a pantheon of gods associated with nature and fertility. Here is a list of the major nations and a brief description of their religious practices:

1. Canaanites

• Description: The term "Canaanites" is sometimes used broadly to refer to all inhabitants of Canaan but specifically refers to the people living in the lowlands and the coastal areas.
• Religious Practices: Their religion was polytheistic, centered around fertility gods and goddesses. The chief god was El, with Baal (god of fertility and weather) and Asherah (goddess of the sea and consort of El) being prominent deities. Ritual practices likely included sacred prostitution and child sacrifice, particularly in worship of Molech.

2. Amorites

• Description: Originally nomadic, the Amorites settled in various parts of Canaan and became a dominant group in some regions. They built several prominent city-states, including Babylon in Mesopotamia.
• Religious Practices: Their religion was similar to that of the broader Mesopotamian context, with a pantheon that included both Sumerian and Akkadian gods. Key figures included the storm god Hadad and the sky god Anu.

3. Hittites

• Description: Though primarily associated with their empire in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey), small groups of Hittites lived in northern Canaan.
• Religious Practices: Hittite religion included a large number of gods, often assimilating deities from conquered peoples. They practiced rituals that included offerings, prayers, and elaborate ceremonies intended to appease these gods.

4. Perizzites

• Description: The Perizzites are mentioned in the Bible as one of the peoples living in Canaan, though little is known about them specifically.
• Religious Practices: As with other Canaanite groups, their practices likely included the worship of local fertility gods and nature deities, similar to those worshipped by the broader Canaanite culture.

5. Hivites

• Description: The Hivites were another group residing in Canaan, mentioned specifically in the context of the Gibeonites, who tricked Joshua into making a peace treaty with them.
• Religious Practices: Their practices likely mirrored typical Canaanite religious customs, with a focus on local manifestations of deities like Baal and Asherah.

6. Jebusites

• Description: The Jebusites controlled Jerusalem until it was conquered by King David. Their stronghold, Jebus, became the site of Jerusalem.
• Religious Practices: Their religious practices would have been similar to those of other Canaanite groups, with a probable emphasis on worshiping local gods associated with their city and its surroundings.

7. Girgashites

• Description: Listed among the nations of Canaan in the Bible, but historical and archaeological details about the Girgashites are scant.
• Religious Practices: While specific practices are not detailed, they likely followed typical Canaanite religious traditions.

These groups shared a common cultural background that included a pantheon of gods and religious practices deeply connected to agriculture and the cycles of nature. The religious practices often involved rituals that were seen as abhorrent by the Israelites, such as human sacrifice, which played a significant role in the conflicts and commands in the biblical texts regarding the conquest of Canaan.

The theological justification for the complete destruction of the pagan nations in Canaan as commanded to the Israelites in the Bible centers around several key points. These are derived from God's instructions as recorded primarily in the books of Deuteronomy and Joshua. Here's an overview of the main theological rationales for complete annihilation provided by God in the Scriptures:

1. Prevention of Idolatry and Moral Corruption (Deuteronomy 7:1-5, 12:29-31)

Justification: God commands the destruction of the Canaanite nations to prevent the Israelites from being influenced by pagan practices, specifically idol worship, which was prevalent among these nations. The concern was that exposure to these religious practices would lead Israel away from worshiping the one true God and down a path of moral and spiritual corruption. The Canaanite religions often involved practices that were abhorrent to the faith of the Jews including ritual prostitution and child sacrifice.

2. Fulfillment of Divine Promise and Judgment (Genesis 15:16)

⁴"Do not say in your heart when the Lord your God has driven them out before you, 'Because of my righteousness the Lord has brought me in to possess this land,' but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is dispossessing them before you. ⁵It is not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart that you are going to possess their land, but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord your God is driving them out before you, in order to confirm the oath which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
- Deuteronomy 9:4-5

Justification: The conquest of Canaan was also seen as a fulfillment of the promises made by God to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that their descendants would inherit the land. Furthermore, the destruction of these nations is portrayed not just as a conquest but also as an act of divine judgment. The "sin of the Amorites" is cited as having reached its full measure, implying that the Canaanite nations were being divinely judged for their iniquities, which had become intolerable.

3. Preservation of a Holy People (Exodus 19:5-6)

For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
- Deuteronomy 14:2

Justification: Israel was chosen to be a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:6), set apart to worship God and live according to His laws. The complete destruction of the Canaanite cultures was seen as necessary to preserve the purity and distinctiveness of Israel's religious and social life, which was integral to their identity and mission.

4. Direct Divine Command

¹⁶Only in the cities of these peoples that the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not leave alive anything that breathes. ¹⁷But you shall utterly destroy them, the Hittite and the Amorite, the Canaanite and the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, as the Lord your God has commanded you, ¹⁸so that they may not teach you to do according to all their detestable things which they have done for their gods, so that you would sin against the Lord your God.
- Deuteronomy 20:16-18

Justification: The commands for destruction come directly from God. In the biblical context, God's commands are considered just and righteous by virtue of His sovereign and moral nature. Therefore, the command to destroy the Canaanites is presented as a righteous act, sanctioned by God Himself, and not open to moral scrutiny by human standards.

Moses Reviews the Essence of the Law - Deuteronomy 5–11

Chapters 5 to 11 of the Book of Deuteronomy focus heavily on reinforcing the Law, the covenant between God and Israel, and the preparation of the Israelites to live faithfully in the Promised Land. These chapters highlight Moses's instructions and reminders about the importance of obedience, love, and loyalty to God. Here is an orderly explanation of the key events and instructions in these chapters, along with their significance:

Chapter 5: The Ten Commandments Reiterated

Events/Instructions: Moses restates the Ten Commandments to the new generation of Israelites (Deuteronomy 5:6-21).

Significance: The reiteration emphasizes the timeless importance of these foundational laws as the Israelites prepare to establish a society in the Promised Land. It serves to remind them of their core ethical and religious duties under the covenant. Their lives in the Promised Land will be based and guided by these commandments. They will change their style of living (from nomadic to settled) but the moral and spiritual quality of their every day lives will remain the same.

Chapter 6: The Greatest Commandment

Events/Instructions: Moses instructs the people to love God with all their heart, soul, and strength and to teach these commands diligently to their children (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).

⁴"Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! ⁵You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. ⁶These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. ⁷You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. ⁸You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. ⁹You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
- Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Significance: This passage highlights the importance of loyalty to God and the transmission of faith through generations. It underscores the need for the Law to permeate every aspect of daily life, ensuring that the covenant relationship with God remains strong. As believers, we are always just one generation from apostacy. This is why it is important to teach our children the faith.

Chapter 7: Instructions for Conquering the Nations

Events/Instructions: Moses commands the Israelites to completely destroy the Canaanite nations and not to intermarry with them, to avoid being led astray to serve other gods. This we reviewed at the beginning of our lesson (Deuteronomy 7:1-6).

Significance: This instruction is significant for maintaining religious purity and obedience. It stresses the dangers of idolatry and the importance of setting themselves apart as a holy people dedicated to God. We soon see its importance as the Jewish people quickly fall into the trap of copying the religious practices of these nations. They didn't stop worshipping God through the sacrificial system set up with the Tabernacle and priests etc., however, they began to add local gods and practices common to their pagan neighbors to their on-going worship to Jehovah. This type of mixing is called "syncretism" and was forbidden.

Chapter 8: Reminder of God's Provision and Warning Against Pride

Events/Instructions: Moses reminds the Israelites of God's past provisions in the wilderness and warns them not to forget God when they become prosperous in the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 8:1-20).

Significance: This chapter teaches the importance of humility and gratitude. It warns against the temptation to attribute their success to their own efforts rather than God's grace, thus fostering a spirit of continual dependence on God.

Chapter 9: Not Because of Israel's Righteousness

Events/Instructions: Moses reminds the Israelites that they are not receiving the Promised Land because of their righteousness but because of the wickedness of other nations and to fulfill God's promise (Deuteronomy 9:4-6).

Significance: This serves to humble the Israelites, reminding them of their failures and God's mercy. It discourages pride and promotes a reliance on God's grace. It also served as a warning to the Jews that if God was able to use them to punish these nations for their actions, He could (and eventually would) use other pagan nations to punish the Jews this time for their own unfaithfulness.

Chapter 10: Call to Circumcision of Heart

Events/Instructions: Moses recounts the remaking of the Tablets of Stone and calls for the Israelites to circumcise their hearts and be no longer stiff-necked as they had been for 40 years while they wandered in the desert.

¹²"Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, ¹³and to keep the Lord's commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good? ¹⁴Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it. ¹⁵Yet on your fathers did the Lord set His affection to love them, and He chose their descendants after them, even you above all peoples, as it is this day. ¹⁶So circumcise your heart, and stiffen your neck no longer.
- Deuteronomy 10:12-16

Significance: This metaphorical circumcision signifies inner spiritual renewal and sincere devotion to God. It calls for a deep, heartfelt commitment rather than mere outward compliance with the law. They were to demonstrate their faith and love with actions that confirm on the inside (which only God can see) what is taking place on the outside (which anyone can see). This is the same exhortation given to Christian Jews by James in his epistle.

¹⁷Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. ¹⁸But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
- James 2:17-18

Chapter 11: Blessings of Obedience

Events/Instructions: Moses sets before the Israelites the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience, emphasizing the choice between life and death (Deuteronomy 11:8-32).

Significance: This chapter underlines the concrete consequences of their choices and actions. It reinforces the covenantal terms that obedience will lead to prosperity and life in the land, while disobedience will result in hardship and expulsion. This continues to be a basic principle for all believers even in our time and day.

⁷Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. ⁸For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. ⁹Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
- Galatians 6:7-9

Overarching Significance of Repetition

The repetition of certain commands and principles throughout these chapters serves several key purposes:

• Reinforcement of Key Concepts: Repetition ensures that the new generation of Israelites, who may not have experienced the first giving of the law or the earlier miracles, understand and internalize these laws.
• Preparation for New Challenges: As the Israelites stand on the threshold of the Promised Land, repeating these laws underscores their critical importance in the new challenges and temptations they will face.
• Establishment of a Stable Society: The reiterated laws provide a foundation for building a just, prosperous, and godly society in Canaan.

They have a spiritual blueprint to guide them not only in personal conduct pleasing to God but also for the building up of a society that will be at peace within itself and be prosperous without exploiting another's weakness since the blessings come from God and not the people.

Their number one job was to carefully follow God's instructions, He would take care of the rest. This concept remains true and active into the New Testament lives of Christians where Jesus virtually repeats Moses.

³¹Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' ³²For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
- Matthew 6:31-33

Therefore, these chapters collectively prepare the Israelites not just in terms of military or strategic readiness for entering Canaan, but more crucially, in spiritual and communal readiness to live as God's covenant people in their new home.

Modern Day Lessons

Chapters 5 to 11 of Deuteronomy contain Moses' poignant address to the Israelites, reminding them of God's laws, their covenantal relationship with God, and the importance of faithfulness as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. These chapters offer rich lessons that modern-day Christians can apply in their lives. Here are three practical lessons:

1. The Importance of Remembrance and Teaching

Biblical Context: Moses repeatedly calls for the Israelites to remember the acts of God and to diligently teach these statutes to their children (Deuteronomy 6:6-9).

Practical Lesson: Christians are encouraged to continually reflect on God's works and words in their lives. This involves not only personal meditation but also the active transmission of faith through family and community interactions. Modern applications include parents discussing faith at home, sharing testimonies with others, and participating in community worship and Bible studies. This process helps to ground one's faith in both personal experience and communal tradition.

2. The Danger of Prosperity Leading to Forgetfulness

Biblical Context: Moses warns the Israelites that prosperity in the Promised Land could lead them to forget the Lord and His commandments (Deuteronomy 6:10-12; Deuteronomy 8:10-14).

Practical Lesson: This serves as a caution for Christians today against allowing material blessings and comfort to lead them away from reliance on God. The lesson is to maintain a posture of gratitude and humility, recognizing that all blessings come from God and should not lead to pride or self-sufficiency. Christians are encouraged to practice regular thanksgiving, acknowledge God's provision in their prayers, and engage in acts of service that reinforce dependence on and gratitude to God.

3. Vigilance Against Complacency

Biblical Context: Moses warns against forgetting God when experiencing prosperity in the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 8:10-14). He cautions that wealth can lead to pride and a false sense of self-sufficiency.

Modern Parallel: This lesson is particularly relevant in today's materialistically driven society, where prosperity can sometimes lead to a decreased reliance on God. Christians are reminded to attribute their successes to God's blessings and maintain humility and gratitude, regardless of their economic or social status. This might involve practices such as giving thanks in all circumstances, engaging in regular service and charity, and recognizing the source of all blessings.

Conclusion

Moses' address in Deuteronomy serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of covenant, the risks of prosperity, and the benefits of faithful obedience. For modern Christians, these chapters offer guidance on living a life that not only adheres to spiritual principles but also actively passes on these values to the next generation, ensuring a legacy of faith and obedience grounded in the historical faithfulness of God.