deuteronomy 3 and 4

Read Deuteronomy 3 and 4 at Bible Gateway.

The Hebrew paragraph divisions for today’s chapters are:

Deu 3:23-29 {p} Joshua shall cross and cause Israel to inherit their possession
Deu 4:1-24 {p} Remember Sinai and the Ten Commandments
Deu 4:25-40 {p} That Israel might know that YHVH is God and there is no other
Deu 4:41-49 {p} Cities of refuge + this is the law

The first strong theme of Deuteronomy is found in:

Deu 1:1-2:1 {s} The failure of the unbelieving generation to possess the land
Deu 2:2-8a {s} YHVH has given Mount Seir as a possession to Esau
Deu 2:8b-16 {s} YHVH has given Moab as a possession to Lot
Deu 2:17-30 {s} YHVH has given Ammon as a possession to Lot
Deu 2:31-3:22 {s} YHVH gave the kingdoms of the Amorites to Israel as a possession
Deu 3:23-29 {p} Joshua shall cross and cause Israel to inherit their possession

This first strong theme forms a chiastic structure, which will help us pinpoint its message:

1a) Deu 1:1-2:1 {s} The failure of the unbelieving generation to possess the land;

1b) Deu 2:2-16 {s+s} YHVH has given Mount Seir to Esau + Moab to Lot;

1c) Deu 2:17-19, When you cross over at Ar, I will not give you the land of Ammon as a possession;

central axis) Deu 2:20-23, The giants who formerly inhabited the land, who YHVH dispossessed before them;

2c) Deu 2:24-30 {s} Rise and cross over the Arnon, I have given you the land of Sihon the Amorite; begin to possess it;

2b) Deu 2:31-3:22 {s} YHVH gave the kingdoms of the Amorites to Israel as a possession;

2a) Deu 3:23-29 {p} Joshua shall cross and cause Israel to inherit their possession.

This is what I think the overarching theme is: You cannot inherit your promise through unbelief; however, even if giants are before you, Yeshua (Joshua by type) will cause you to inherit your promise.

I find it very telling that the Lord told Israel to go enter a land (belonging to Sihon king of the Amorities) and begin to possess it, for the Lord had given it to them. You can be sure the people who were already there did not just meekly pack up! But isn’t this the way our lives are, on this side of heaven? We have been given a promise of inheritance, as children of the Most High. With it comes His Word, His Law, His ways which are not our ways, His Spirit, His power, His name which is above every name. However, the circumstances of this fallen world inhabit the land before us, whether it is sickness, lack, oppression, injustice, or any other thing. We must begin to possess our possession, even though giants are before us, and the Lord will give it to us. It is not instantaneous; it is a process involving belief which inspires appropriate action every day. But we have the Lord’s promise of its accomplishment, if we continue to believe it and Him!

There are several other chiastic structures rounding out today’s chapters:

Deu 3:23-4:24 {p+p}

1a) Deu 3:23-24, Greatness and uniqueness of YHVH;
1b) Deu 3:25-29 {p} Joshua shall cause Israel to inherit their possession;
1c) Deu 4:1-8, Listen and observe statutes, judgments + beware idolatry + we are YHVH’s nation;
central axis) Deu 4:9-13, YHVH’s covenant which He commanded Israel to perform: the Ten Commandments;
2c) Deu 4:14-20, Observe statutes, judgments + beware idolatry + we are YHVH’s nation;
2b) Deu 4:21-22, Moses will not cross over, but Israel shall cross over and possess the land;
2a) Deu 4:23-24 {p} Take heed against idolatry + YHVH is a consuming fire and a jealous God.

Deu 4:25-40 {p}

1a) Deu 4:25-26, Forsake YHVH and do not prolong your days in the land;
1b) Deu 4:27-28, YHVH will drive you out;
1c) Deu 4:29-31, YHVH is merciful and will not forget the covenant;
1d) Deu 4:32-34, Has any nation heard the voice of YHVH out of the fire?;
central axis) Deu 4:35, To you it was shown, that you might know that YHVH is God and there is no other;
2d) Deu 4:36, We heard YHVH’s voice out of the fire;
2c) Deu 4:37, He loved our fathers and chose their descendants;
2b) Deu 4:38, YHVH will drive out the nations;
2a) Deu 4:39-40 {p} Keep faithfulness to YHVH and prolong your days in the land.