Read Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22 at Bible Gateway.
deu 1:1-3:22 chiastic structure 2013 jul 12
deu 1:1-3:22 paragraph divisions, historical background 2012 jul 28
deu 1-2, introduction to the book/ finding messiah 2011 mar 11
deu 1:1-2:1, outline, chiastic structure 2009 aug 22
deu 2:2-:30, outline, chiastic structure 2009 aug 29
deu 2:31-3:22, outline, chiastic structure 2009 sep 05
outline of deuteronomy by its hebrew paragraph divisions
teaching tools of scripture
The prophetic nature of the chiastic structure for devarim and how it relates to Israel today is mind-blowing, The central axis (from the link above):
Deu 2:26-30a, Israel’s offer of peace and her enemy’s rejection;
God has a goal, for Israel to possess the Land. But Israel has enemies in the way, whom the Lord wishes to displace.
In the D pair surrounding the central axis, the Lord influences hearts in two ways: first, of the nations with whom Israel has to do, so that they are in dread of Israel, so that they are in anguish because of them. This is history that prophecies, for the nations of the world today are likewise in anguish because of Israel. There are many problems facing the United Nations today, but you wouldn’t know it, because the only problem you ever hear about is the problem of Israel in the Middle East. This is incredible, because Israel is a beacon of democracy and civilization in a sea of repression. Israel likewise does not start hostilities but only defends itself from the hostilities of others. It is always holding out the olive branch.
Second, the Lord influenced the heart of Sihon so that his spirit was hardened and his heart was made obstinate. Because of Sihon’s stubbornness, he refused Israel’s offer of peace and prepared himself instead for battle. The Torah seems to indicate that the reason for this hardening and obstinacy, was so that he would be delivered into Israel’s hand, so that Israel could possess her land which had been set aside for her by the Lord from the first call of Abraham!
What a prophetic statement of current events! Israel, do not waver when your enemies rebuff your offers of peace and prepare themselves for battle instead. The Lord is preparing you to possess your Land. So, do not fear, go in and possess it!
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