- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 1
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Matthew 5
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 3
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Matthew 6
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 4
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Matthew 7
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 6
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Matthew 13
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 7
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Matthew 17
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 8
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Matthew 21
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 9
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Matthew 24
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 11
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Matthew 25
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 12
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Matthew 26
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 15
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Matthew 27
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 18
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Matthew 28
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 21
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Mark 6
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 22
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Mark 8
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 24
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Luke 1
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 27
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Luke 2
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 28
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Luke 4
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 37
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Luke 7
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 39
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Luke 15
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 40
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Luke 16
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 41
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Luke 18
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 42
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Luke 19
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 43
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Luke 20
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 44
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Luke 24
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 45
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: John 1
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Genesis 50
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: John 3
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Exodus 1
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: John 4
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Exodus 2
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: John 6
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Exodus 3
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: John 8
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Exodus 4
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: John 10
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Exodus 5
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: John 13
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Exodus 6
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: John 14
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Exodus 7
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: John 15
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Exodus 8
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: John 16
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Exodus 9
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: John 17
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Exodus 10
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: John 20
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Exodus 11
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: John 21
- 365 Key Chapters of the Bible: Exodus 12
- Acts 1: The Ministry of the Gospel
- Exodus 13: Paying the Price
- Acts 2: Faith Founded on Fact
- Exodus 14–18: When Security Vanishes
- Acts 7: Eternal Glory
- Exodus 19: The Covenant to Come
- Acts 8: Counterfeit Gospels
- Exodus 20: The Holy Splendor of God
- Acts 9: From Persecutor to Proclaimer
- Exodus 32: God’s Inexpressible Glory
- Acts 10: The Gospel Goes to the Gentiles
- Leviticus 16: The Holiness of God
- Acts 13: Paul’s Missionary Journeys
- Numbers 13: The Book of Wanderings
- Acts 15: How Are We Saved?
- Numbers 14: The Faithfulness of God
- Acts 16: Interrupted Plans
- Deuteronomy 1: “Beware Lest You Forget”
- Acts 17: How to Spread the Good News
- Deuteronomy 2: Knowing God
- Acts 18: Encouragement through Fellow Believers
- Deuteronomy 3: Mercy and Judgment
- Acts 19–20: The Power and Word of God
- Acts 20–21: The Cost of Following Christ
- Deuteronomy 4: Leaving a Legacy
- Acts 22: Common Ground without Compromise
- Deuteronomy 5: The Purpose of the Law
- Acts 23: The Centrality of the Resurrection
- Deuteronomy 6: The Pitfalls of Prosperity
- Acts 24: Living in Light of the Resurrection
- Deuteronomy 7: Warnings about the World
- Acts 25: The Witness of Waiting
- Deuteronomy 8: Our Daily Bread
- Acts 26: Agents of Eternal Change
- Deuteronomy 27: A Covenant of Obedience
- Acts 27: Surviving the Storm
- Deuteronomy 28: Idolatry of the Heart
- Acts 28: Service and Encouragement
- Deuteronomy 29: Anticipating the New Covenant
- Romans 1: A Practical Theology
- Deuteronomy 30: God’s Merciful Covenant
- Romans 2: The Universal Moral Law
- Deuteronomy 32: Learning from the Past
- Romans 3: Righteousness in Christ
- Deuteronomy 34: The Death of Moses
The Lord sought to establish the nation of Israel as a people for Himself. He would do so by a covenant, intimately drawing this people near to Him.
But the people of Israel would not be faithful to God. Instead, they would enter into relationships with other nations, worshiping other gods.
The Anticipation of the Old Covenant
In Deuteronomy 29, Moses summons the Israelites before him in the plains of Moab in order to speak the words of the covenant to them.
Moses began his speech by reminding the Israelites of the signs and wonders they saw in Egypt as well as in the wilderness. However, the Lord had not yet given them ears to hear or hearts to understand these wonders—they would need a new heart in order to do so.
Moses gave the Israelites the old covenant, the law that would serve as a guide, teaching them of their need of Christ. In their current position, they were called to look forward to the new covenant (see Jeremiah 31:31). That is not to say the old covenant was wrong—instead, it was meant to point them to God while they waited for the fullness of His purposes for them.
The Holiness of God’s Name
When we read texts like Deuteronomy 29, we need to remember that God chose Israel not out of need but out of love. What He does ultimately brings glory to Himself, for He is deserving of all glory.
God knew the Israelites would rebel against Him. However, He used even their disobedience to point to His glory. He would give them a new covenant despite their unfaithfulness. When He did so, it would point to the holiness of His name and to His mercy (Ezekiel 36:22–36). The covenant God made with the Israelites in Deuteronomy 29 looked ahead to this new covenant.
The Purpose of the Covenant
The old covenant called the Israelites to fear the Lord, to love Him, and to walk in His ways. It was meant to draw them into an intimate relationship with God.
We are no longer under the old covenant, but we still need to both treasure God and obey Him. When we love Him above all else, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15). In the new covenant, He has given us a heart to do so.
This teaching is based on Ken’s Handbook to Scripture.
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