CHAPTER 30:
I have never been very good at making decisions. Having too many choices just increases the difficulty for me. My daughter has always been my deciding factor. Which pillow do I buy? What color looks best? Should I choose this dress or that one? Sara’s ability to pick just the right thing has been a blessing to me. Recently, however, she had a taste of my world. When trying to pick out colors to paint her new house, Sara was completely undecided. And do you blame her? Have you seen the color choices at your local home improvement store? Even after you narrow your thoughts down to grey or blue or green, you still have to choose which shade. It is a harrowing experience! But secretly, I’m glad to know it isn’t just me having all the trouble deciding. It did me good to watch her indecision. I am sorry, though, that I was no help!
Have you ever been faced with a decision that held many different choices? If so, when?
Do you like lots of choices, or are you more inclined to be overwhelmed by too many choices? Why is that?
Chapter 29 predicted that the Israelites would follow other gods when they entered the Promised Land. They would leave the LORD and worship other gods. They would suffer from the curses brought on by their wandering hearts. It was a downer chapter, but here we are at Chapter 30. Spoiler Alert: Restoration is on the way!
Read Deuteronomy 30:1-5.
Verse 1-2 starts with a “when” statement. Fill in the blanks of this summarized version.
When all these things have happened, the _________________ and the ______________, and you ___________________ all these things in the places where you are banished, and you _____________ to the LORD and _____________ Him with all your heart . . .
Verse 3 contains the “then” statement. After all of this has happened and they return and obey the LORD, what then will He do? (Look for 5 things.)
God promises restoration! After all of that, He guarantees He will take them back when they return to Him.
Read Deuteronomy 30:6.
The Covenant of Circumcision was given to Abraham in Genesis 17. God had promised Abraham that he would become the father of many nations, they he would be very fruitful, and that He was giving Abraham and his descendants the land of Canaan. He promised to be their God. The sign of the covenant was the circumcision of all males. It was an outward sign of a physical promise. But this circumcision in Deuteronomy 30:6 is a promise of a spiritual nature. The LORD promises to do the circumcising in this case, cutting away all the things that cause us to love other things and chase after other gods, such as material and sensual things. They will only become idols in our lives.
When it came to these verses about circumcising the heart, my momma would always say, “It’s a bloody mess!” And she is right. Getting rid of all those deep-rooted things in our hearts that make us go astray is a bloody mess. (Said with my best British accent.) It isn’t easy, and it takes time for healing to happen. It takes time to have a heart for the Lord.
Look back at verse 6. What is the benefit of this circumcision?
Read Deuteronomy 30:7-9.
Where will the curses go when the Israelites return to the LORD?
List the things that God will cause to prosper in their lives?
What will the LORD do when all of this happens?
I’ve always loved the NIV picture in Zephaniah 3:17 of God rejoicing over Israel’s return and her triumph, which is found in Him: “The LORD your God is with you; He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Can you imagine the Lord rejoicing and singing over you? For some reason, we tend to have this image of God in our minds of a stoic, unemotional grandfather. But this isn’t Him at all! He is moved by our love and devotion, moved to sing. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to hear that song!
Read Deuteronomy 30:10.
List the two “if” statements found here.
If they return, all of these blessings will occur. What can you imagine will happen if they don’t return to Him?
Is He just in giving the curses if they don’t return? Why or why not?
Is He just in giving us curses if we never choose Him? Why or why not?
Read Deuteronomy 30:11-14.
Is the commandment difficult, according to verse 11? Why or why not?
Paul does a great job explaining these very verses. Read Romans 10:3-13.
People try to establish their own rightness before God by obeying rules and expectations, by checking off all the little boxes but this is futile. Who is the end of all of these efforts?
What must we do to be part of His righteousness?
What is the difference between a man who practices righteousness based on the law and a man whose righteousness is based on faith?
What did you learn from verses 6-9?
What is important about the heart and the mouth?
What is important to remember from verses 11-13?
John 1:1-4 and verse 14 tell us that Jesus is the Word. He was with God in the beginning and was God. He became flesh and made his dwelling among us. He is near to us. He is in our hearts. He does help us obey. We have the One the Israelites didn’t yet know. Praise the Lord!
Read Deuteronomy 30:15-20.
What two choices are set before the Israelites and before us?
Who did Moses call to be the witnesses for this covenant?
According to verse 20, what two things must you do to choose life?
Our God is a just God. He is also a God who loves His people. We see His justice and His love collide on the cross, for it is there that justice for our sins was paid in full, and it is there that the blood of our Savior was shed out of love for us.
He has made our heavenly inheritance possible, so when it comes to making choices, this should be a no-brainer. Choose life! You only need to do two simple things to make this choice: love and obey. That’s it. That’s all it takes. He has given you everything you need and He promises to be near. Love God. Choose life. It’s what you were created for.
Lesson to Remember: God restores.
A Way to Walk: Walk in love and obedience and with thankfulness to the Lord. All is not perfect here on earth, but we can begin the restoration process now by allowing His Word and His Holy Spirit to teach us. We can grow in sanctification knowing that our heavenly inheritance awaits.
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