Latest Commentaries

The next subject, which is called "the law of jealousy" in Numbers 5:29, is discussed in verses 11-31. It concerns marital infidelity that was suspected but not verified. The marriage relationship, the most basic of all between humans, and the building block for a successful self-governing society, was a reflection of one’s relationship to the LORD. To be unfaithful in marriage was to be unfaithful to one’s LORD.

The LORD then, in Numbers 5:5-10, instructed Moses about what to do when a person commits an offense against another person in the camp. This section repeats the law given to Moses in Leviticus 5:14-6:7. It stresses the importance of maintaining purity in interpersonal relationships within the camp as they travel to the Promised Land.

Numbers 5:1-4 includes the LORD’s commands concerning personal uncleanness. There are several ways mentioned here that a person could become unclean. Any unclean person was to be sent outside the camp to quarantine for a period of time.

Moses concludes the chapter (and his last address to the Israelites) by appealing to Israel to choose wisely (each day) between life and death. He reminds Israel that obedience leads to prosperity and life, and disobedience leads to adversity and death.

Moses concluded his final address by telling the Israelites that God’s commandments in this covenant are not beyond their ability to understand and obey. God’s word is very near to them. So, they must believe it, speak it and do it. The purpose of the covenant is for Israel to live by it. That can only come from the heart.

Moses tells Israel that when a future generation rebels, is exiled, then repents, the Suzerain God of their covenant will bring them back from exile and will circumcise their heart to enable them to live in obedience to His will. God will then inflict all the curses that were on Israel on their enemies.

Moses encourages the Israelites by telling them that when future generations rebel and are exiled, their Suzerain/ruler God would restore them from captivity, have compassion on them, and bring them back into the Promised Land when they repent and turn from their evil ways.

Moses encourages the Israelites to obey all the covenantal laws. Everything that the Suzerain God reveals must be obeyed. Things that are not revealed are left to God.

The LORD’s devastating judgment on the people and on the Promised Land would serve as a warning to the future generations of Israelites.

Moses makes it clear that this additional covenant the LORD establishes with Israel applies not only to all those who are present but to all future generations as well. It is a covenant between the Suzerain (Ruler) God and the Israelites (His vassals) in perpetuity.

Moses described the parties that were about to enter into this additional covenant between the Suzerain (Ruler) God and the Israelites. This covenant will establish them as His treasured possession, as He swore to Israel’s ancestors.

As an introduction to an additional covenant, Moses reviewed some of the key events in Israel’s history to motivate the Israelites to obey their Suzerain (Ruler) God.

Moses concludes the covenant renewal text of Deuteronomy by reminding his audience of the covenant relationship the Suzerain (Ruler) God has established with His vassals, Israel. He begins a new covenant which adds to the covenant made at Horeb (Sinai).

Moses then described what life would be like in exile, where they would serve other gods, live in constant fear for their lives, and be sold into slavery.

Moses continues the warnings concerning the Israelites violating God’s covenantal laws. In this section, He describes widespread disease and multiple disasters if they fail to live in complete obedience to the LORD.

Moses continues with the series of curses. He now tells Israel that their Suzerain (Ruler) God will send a foreign nation to besiege the walled cities and devastate the countryside, ruining their lives.

Moses reminds the Israelites that the described curses will come upon them if they fail to obey the LORD. These curses will cause absolute misery and poverty in Israel.

Moses tells the Israelites that their main agricultural products—grain, wine, and oil—will be destroyed if they fail to obey their Suzerain (Ruler) God.

The LORD will afflict the Israelites with various kind of diseases if they fail to obey the covenant.

The Israelites would constantly suffer military defeat if they fail to follow the LORD.