“Lesson 19: Deuteronomy 1–16,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, Religion 301–2 (1994), 37–38

“Deuteronomy 1–16,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, 37–38

Deuteronomy 1–16

Scripture Content Outline	Supplementary Study Sources
Deuteronomy 1–4. Moses Rehearsed Israel’s Desert Wanderings Moses’ address was given before Israel entered the promised land (see Deuteronomy 1:1–4). Moses reviewed how Israel was organized and instructed for their journey from Sinai (see Deuteronomy 1:5–18). Moses reminded Israel that when they had arrived at the promised land they were afraid to enter it (see Deuteronomy 1:19–31). Moses reiterated why the Lord refused to let them enter at that time (see Deuteronomy 1:32–46). Moses reviewed significant events from Israel’s forty years of wandering in the wilderness (see Deuteronomy 2:1–3:20; JST, Deuteronomy 2:30). Moses spoke of the Lord’s allowing him to see but not to enter into Canaan (see Deuteronomy 3:21–29). Moses charged Israel to obey the Lord and warned them of the consequences if they did not (see Deuteronomy 4).	Religion 301 student manual, 19-1 through 19-10. Hebrews 11:6. What important principle of the gospel must be lived in order to please God? D&C 84:23–25. Why were Moses and the Melchizedek Priesthood taken from Israel? D&C 130:20–21. Upon what do blessings from God depend? TPJS, pp. 61, 308, 322. When God offers men blessings and they refuse them, what is their condition then? DS, 2:312–13. What is the relationship between obedience and faith?
Deuteronomy 5:1–10:22. Moses Charged Israel to Obey the Lord Moses reiterated the Ten Commandments and commanded Israel to observe them strictly (see Deuteronomy 5:1–6:3). The Lord’s statutes were to be taught to Israel’s children and remembered always (see Deuteronomy 6:4–25). Moses taught that God observes his covenants and expects his covenant people to do the same (see Deuteronomy 7). Moses warned Israel to remember the source of their blessings or face the consequences (see Deuteronomy 8). Moses reminded Israel that it was not because of their righteousness that they would be allowed to enter the promised land (see Deuteronomy 9). All that God required of Israel was to love and serve him with all their hearts and souls (see Deuteronomy 10; JST, Deuteronomy 10:2).	Religion 301 student manual, 19-11 through 19-19; 19-28. DS, 1:153–54. The Ten Commandments are everlasting covenants. Man does not have a right to change any covenant given by the Lord. DS, 1:157. What results from breaking and rejecting a covenant? DS, 1:131–33. What do we demonstrate when we fail to keep God’s commandments? TPJS, p. 165. Long-suffering and mercy have always characterized God in his dealings with mankind.
Deuteronomy 11–16. Moses Set before Israel the Way by Which They Could Retain the Lord’s Blessings If Israel would but serve the Lord, they would possess the land of Canaan and prosper therein (see Deuteronomy 11). On entering the promised land, Israel was to destroy the Canaanite places of worship and erect altars to Jehovah at designated spots (see Deuteronomy 12:1–14). Israel was to observe the restrictions of the Mosaic law and not inquire after the gods of the nations they were to supplant (see Deuteronomy 12:15–28). The Israelites were not to go after false prophets or any who enticed them to serve other gods but were to utterly destroy them (see Deuteronomy 12:29–13:18). Israel was to become a holy people by observing dietary laws and the law of tithing (see Deuteronomy 14; JST, Deuteronomy 14:21). Generosity was to be manifest by the rich toward the poor, and servants were to be set free at the seventh year (see Deuteronomy 15:1–18). The firstlings of the flocks were to be sanctified to the Lord (see Deuteronomy 15:19–23). The feasts of Israel—Passover, Unleavened Bread, Weeks, and Tabernacles—were to be rigorously observed by all Hebrew males (see Deuteronomy 16).	Religion 301 student manual, 19-20 through 19-27. 2 Nephi 1:9. What did the Lord tell the Nephites that prosperity depended on? Helaman 12:1. Whom does the Lord bless and prosper? TPJS, p. 332. Strict obedience to all of God’s commands is necessary in order to claim his blessings. TPJS, pp. 52–53. Why does justice require that those who know and understand God’s laws be punished or penalized for breaking them? TPJS, pp. 205–6. Why do men without the Spirit of God confuse true prophets with false ones? DBY, p. 229. Why is devotion to the Lord vital?

Scripture Content Outline

Supplementary Study Sources

Deuteronomy 1–4. Moses Rehearsed Israel’s Desert Wanderings
1. Moses’ address was given before Israel entered the promised land (see Deuteronomy 1:1–4).
2. Moses reviewed how Israel was organized and instructed for their journey from Sinai (see Deuteronomy 1:5–18).
3. Moses reminded Israel that when they had arrived at the promised land they were afraid to enter it (see Deuteronomy 1:19–31).
4. Moses reiterated why the Lord refused to let them enter at that time (see Deuteronomy 1:32–46).
5. Moses reviewed significant events from Israel’s forty years of wandering in the wilderness (see Deuteronomy 2:1–3:20; JST, Deuteronomy 2:30).
6. Moses spoke of the Lord’s allowing him to see but not to enter into Canaan (see Deuteronomy 3:21–29).
7. Moses charged Israel to obey the Lord and warned them of the consequences if they did not (see Deuteronomy 4).

Religion 301 student manual, 19-1 through 19-10.

Hebrews 11:6. What important principle of the gospel must be lived in order to please God?

D&C 84:23–25. Why were Moses and the Melchizedek Priesthood taken from Israel?

D&C 130:20–21. Upon what do blessings from God depend?

TPJS, pp. 61, 308, 322. When God offers men blessings and they refuse them, what is their condition then?

DS, 2:312–13. What is the relationship between obedience and faith?

Deuteronomy 5:1–10:22. Moses Charged Israel to Obey the Lord
1. Moses reiterated the Ten Commandments and commanded Israel to observe them strictly (see Deuteronomy 5:1–6:3).
2. The Lord’s statutes were to be taught to Israel’s children and remembered always (see Deuteronomy 6:4–25).
3. Moses taught that God observes his covenants and expects his covenant people to do the same (see Deuteronomy 7).
4. Moses warned Israel to remember the source of their blessings or face the consequences (see Deuteronomy 8).
5. Moses reminded Israel that it was not because of their righteousness that they would be allowed to enter the promised land (see Deuteronomy 9).
6. All that God required of Israel was to love and serve him with all their hearts and souls (see Deuteronomy 10; JST, Deuteronomy 10:2).

Religion 301 student manual, 19-11 through 19-19; 19-28.

DS, 1:153–54. The Ten Commandments are everlasting covenants. Man does not have a right to change any covenant given by the Lord.

DS, 1:157. What results from breaking and rejecting a covenant?

DS, 1:131–33. What do we demonstrate when we fail to keep God’s commandments?

TPJS, p. 165. Long-suffering and mercy have always characterized God in his dealings with mankind.

Deuteronomy 11–16. Moses Set before Israel the Way by Which They Could Retain the Lord’s Blessings
1. If Israel would but serve the Lord, they would possess the land of Canaan and prosper therein (see Deuteronomy 11).
2. On entering the promised land, Israel was to destroy the Canaanite places of worship and erect altars to Jehovah at designated spots (see Deuteronomy 12:1–14).
3. Israel was to observe the restrictions of the Mosaic law and not inquire after the gods of the nations they were to supplant (see Deuteronomy 12:15–28).
4. The Israelites were not to go after false prophets or any who enticed them to serve other gods but were to utterly destroy them (see Deuteronomy 12:29–13:18).
5. Israel was to become a holy people by observing dietary laws and the law of tithing (see Deuteronomy 14; JST, Deuteronomy 14:21).
6. Generosity was to be manifest by the rich toward the poor, and servants were to be set free at the seventh year (see Deuteronomy 15:1–18).
7. The firstlings of the flocks were to be sanctified to the Lord (see Deuteronomy 15:19–23).
8. The feasts of Israel—Passover, Unleavened Bread, Weeks, and Tabernacles—were to be rigorously observed by all Hebrew males (see Deuteronomy 16).

Religion 301 student manual, 19-20 through 19-27.

2 Nephi 1:9. What did the Lord tell the Nephites that prosperity depended on?

Helaman 12:1. Whom does the Lord bless and prosper?

TPJS, p. 332. Strict obedience to all of God’s commands is necessary in order to claim his blessings.

TPJS, pp. 52–53. Why does justice require that those who know and understand God’s laws be punished or penalized for breaking them?

TPJS, pp. 205–6. Why do men without the Spirit of God confuse true prophets with false ones?

DBY, p. 229. Why is devotion to the Lord vital?

Some Suggestions for Presentation

You are not expected to teach everything in the scripture content outline. Select those concepts that you feel will be the most helpful to your students.

What Is the Book of Deuteronomy About? (Sections A–C)

Ask students the following questions: If you knew that you had but a short time to remain on the earth, what things would you want to say to your loved ones? What would you warn them about or remind them of?

Point out that that is precisely the position Moses was in as he faced his people for the last time. The forty-year journey was over, the children of Israel stood at the borders of the promised land about to enter, but Moses was required to say farewell; he could not enter into Canaan.

Review the counsel Moses gave the children of Israel before they entered the promised land.

What Form Did Moses’ Final Message Take? (Sections A–C)

The word Deuteronomy means “repetition of the law.” Apparently Moses felt that a rehearsal of the law, including the Ten Commandments, would be most worthwhile for his people. To set the stage for his speech, Moses—

Appealed to the people to remember their promises to God (see Deuteronomy 4:23–24).
Warned the people sternly that God will not tolerate endless sin (see Deuteronomy 4:25–26).
Prophesied the form that God’s punishment would take (see Deuteronomy 4:27–30).

Moses then reiterated the Ten Commandments and commanded Israel to observe them strictly (see Deuteronomy 5:1–6:3). You may wish to read and emphasize Deuteronomy 5:32–33 to reinforce the idea that strict observance of the Lord’s laws is necessary to obtain his blessings.

Being in the World but Not of the World (Section C)

Before they entered the promised land, Moses warned Israel of the temptations that would come to them to serve false gods and follow the ways of the wicked nations that inhabited Canaan. To avoid corrupting their nation, they were told to destroy all who advocated and practiced the evils of the Canaanite nations. The Lord desired a holy nation of people different from the world.

The same is true in all ages. The Lord’s people have the challenge of living on a higher level than do the worldly people who surround them and of being an example to them rather than indulging in their sins. Compare the situation that ancient Israel was in with the situation that Latter-day Saints are in today. Draw parallels between the counsel Moses gave to ancient Israel and the counsel living prophets give to modem Israel. Use Exodus 19:5 to begin a discussion of specific challenges your students may be facing as they endeavor to live in the world and yet not be of the world.