BibleProject | One Story That Leads to JesusSample

The end of Deuteronomy also marks the end of the Torah,* and we see hyperlinking connections with the beginning of the story. As in the first garden (Gen. 2-3), humanity faces a choice between trusting Yahweh’s wisdom or its own. Faith or fear. Life or death. The whole world’s blessing hangs in the balance.

Moses rises to this occasion by giving the Israelites a spectacularly unmotivating pep talk. At first, he’s somewhat positive. He promises that life and blessing lie within their reach. He wants them to see that the heart of God’s law is good, reasonable, and attainable.

Then, Moses abandons all positivity and predicts a bleak future. He says they, like Adam and Eve in the garden, will fail the test. They will reject Yahweh’s instructions and experience things nobody wants to experience. A whole scroll’s worth of pleading and warning can’t change Israel’s heart. But Yahweh can.

Moses’ reminder about Yahweh’s relentless, loyal love provides a glimmer of hope at the end of Deuteronomy and the close of the Torah. The first five books develop a pattern that will continue unfolding until the end of Scripture. It’s about the people of Israel and all people learning, generation by generation, to know God’s love for them and to trust him as he completes the work of rescuing and restoring humanity.

Reflection Questions

• How does God promise to respond if Israel wants to come back after rejecting him? What does this reveal about God’s character?
• Meditate on Moses’ encouragement in Deuteronomy 30:11-14. What do you think it means that the law is neither too difficult nor too far for Israel?

*Torah refers collectively to the Bible’s first five books—Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Used generally, torah can also mean “law” or “instruction.”