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Deuteronomy 29

29 verses

TL;DR

Deuteronomy 29 recalls the covenant God made with Israel, reminding the people of their covenantal history and warning them against turning away to other gods.

Summary

Moses gathers the Israelites in Moab and recounts the covenant made at Horeb, reminding them of the miracles God performed and the hardships endured during the forty‑year wilderness journey. He reminds them that they have been victorious over the kings of Heshbon and Bashan, and that their land was given to the Reubenites, Gadites, and half‑tribe of Manasseh. Moses calls the entire nation—captains, elders, officers, families, and strangers—to uphold the covenant and oath that God has made that day, so that Israel may prosper. He warns that anyone who turns away to other nations’ gods will bring curses upon themselves and future generations, comparing their fate to the destruction of Sodom and other cursed cities. The chapter ends with a reminder that the secret things belong to God, while the revealed law is for the people and their descendants forever.

Outline
  1. 1. Moses reminds Israel of past covenant and victories
  2. 2. All Israelites are called to keep the covenant and oath
  3. 3. Warning of curses for those who deviate and a promise of God's guidance
Themes
covenant fidelityjudgment and protectionintergenerational responsibility
Keywords
covenantoathlawIsraelGodEgyptcursesprophecyintergenerational
People
MosesLORD (God)SihonOgReubenitesGaditeshalf‑tribe of ManassehAbrahamIsaacJacob
Places
MoabHorebEgyptHeshbonBashan
Things
covenantoathlawcursesplaguesburning landsecret things
Key Verses
  • Deuteronomy 29:1: Introduces the renewed covenant
  • Deuteronomy 29:7: Recounts military victory and land inheritance
  • Deuteronomy 29:18: Warns against turning to other gods
  • Deuteronomy 29:23: Describes the destruction of cursed lands as a warning
  • Deuteronomy 29:29: Distinguishes between God's secrets and human law
Questions
  • Why does Moses emphasize the covenant again before the Israelites enter Canaan?
  • What lessons can modern believers draw from the warnings about idolatry and the consequences described?
  • How does the reference to Sihon and Og reinforce the legitimacy of Israel’s claim to the promised land?
  • In what ways does the chapter speak to the responsibility of each generation to uphold God’s covenant?
  • What might the ‘secret things’ of God refer to in the context of this passage?
Sentiment

neutral
The tone is cautionary and exhortatory, with neither overt positivity nor negativity.