Eden to Eternity Vol. 1, Deuteronomy 1-9

Apr 7, 20245 min read

Come along with me as I complete The Daily Grace Co.’s Eden to Eternity study!

This chronological Bible study requires us to dive into the 66 books of God’s Word while encouraging self-reflection and application. In the following posts, I intend to discuss the content, existing themes, and perceived messages throughout the Bible so we may dwell in scripture together.

I hope we can approach God's word with an open heart and fall more in love with Christ, who had our eternal salvation in mind all along!

5/66 | Author: Moses | Old Testament | Pentateuch/Torah | 1406-1407 B.C. (estimated)

1-3: Departure, Israel's Disobedience, the Past Journey, Victory, and the Transfer of Leadership

"The Lord your God has multiplied you that today you are as numerous as the stars of the sky" (Deut. 1:10).

Moses recounts the journey of the Israelites, highlighting God's provision (and patience) amidst this people's entitlement and rebellion.

"Don't be afraid, for the Lord your God fights for you" (2:22).

4: Call to Obedience, Worshipping the True God, and the Law

The Lord instructed the Israelites to be obedient, honoring the commandments He shared with Moses.

"For what great nation is there that has a god near to it as the Lord our God is to us whenever we call to Him?" (4:7).

Moses, acknowledging that he will not enter the promised land, pleads with this generation of Israelites to live differently than their parents—by the standard God has set. "He will not leave you, destroy you, or forget the covenant with your fathers that He swore to them by oath, because the Lord your God is a compassionate God" (4:31).

5: The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments:

No other gods.
No idolatry.
No blasphemy.
Keep the Sabbath holy.
Respect your parents.
No murder.
No adultery.
No theft.
No false statements concerning others.
No coveting.

6: The Greatest Command

Moses reveals the greatest command: to love the Lord with our entire being.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength" (6:5).

Moses asks the nation of Israel to remember that what they are receiving is not from their own actions but from God's grace. The Lord delivered these people from slavery into an established civilization from a position of unconditional love.

7: Israel and Idolatry

God's chosen people were not to intermix with outside nations that worshipped other gods. The goal was to prevent their pagan practices from spreading.

"The Lord had His heart set on you and chose you, not because you were more numerous than all the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples" (7:7).

God maintains His end of a promise!

8: Remember the Lord

Moses tells the people to honor God for God's success in humbling them throughout their journey. Turning away from the Lord and embracing pride results in death.

9: A Warning

Moses tells the nation of Israel that it is time to cross the Jordan and that the people on the other side will be handed over to them, glory to God. It is not the goodness of the Israelites that grants them favor in this way, but the evil of other nations (9:5–6). Before this could happen, the Israelites were reminded of their constant efforts to antagonize God. Moses boldly declared they had been "rebelling against the Lord ever since he had known [them]" (9:24). However, Moses interceded on their behalf.

Reflections inspired by the following Daily Grace's study questions:

Why is the call to remember God important?

What is the significance of Deut. 6:4–9?

How does Deut. 7:7 impact your perception of God's gifts?

How many times have I climbed my own mountain to be near God, seek His guidance, and receive instructions, only to revert to serving myself like the Israelites did with Moses at Mount Sinai? Remembering God is what grounds us. We remain centered on truth, morality, justice, and the surplus of goodness He has created. When good things flow into my life, I try to remind myself that it is not my own doing. God was there all along! Vice versa: when the blessings arrive, it is God who humbled me beforehand so that I could properly nurture them. As reminded in Deut. 2, considering God in our movements helps us to understand the importance of going around a metaphorical neighborhood rather than detouring through it.

Deuteronomy 6:4–9 says, "Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol between your eyes. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates."

Loving the Lord and speaking about Him has fed my soul, just like Deuteronomy 6:4 and 8:3 declared!

Deuteronomy 8:3 says, "He humbled you...so that you might learn that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."

It serves as the crucial element required for self-connection and fulfillment. The days I randomly converse with a stranger about God's character or attend a bible study to discuss scripture tend to be the best days of the week, for reasons that are never a coincidence. Matthew 18:20 states, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them." Furthermore, I love it when the Spirit creates an opportunity for us to preach to others! Becoming more familiar with the Word has given me amazing opportunities to heal and encourage those whom God entrusts me with.

Deuteronomy 7:7 stood out to me because this is the epitome of who our Lord is: a Father possessing unconditional love. He wasn't impressed by the populous nations regarded as powerful and intimidating—He wanted the awkward few who stumbled along their way. He created a booming nation from individuals perceived as infertile, incapable, and oppressed. The Lord divinely set these people apart from the ways of their foreign counterparts, conquering opposing nations whose defilement denied them the space of the righteous, chosen Israelites. The faithful inherited a spot in the land of milk and honey, while the faithless found themselves defeated. The Lord, our God, sparked and strengthened generations that eventually birthed the Savior of the world!

Gratitude List:

Learning new skills, I surprised my husband (and myself) and mowed the grass! It was unexpectedly peaceful.
Cava bowls
Target hauls
Clear blue skies and premature spring breezes
My niece turning four!
Shockingly calm work weeks
Spiritual clarity
Become a morning person.