Title Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Survival Command
Content As we read today's text, we feel that the atmosphere is not unusual compared to other texts. It is a tense atmosphere. As we well know, Deuteronomy is a sermon that Moses gave to the people of Israel. Rather than a sermon, it is Moses' will. It should be said.
Just imagine. Moses, the great hero, stood in front of the Israelites as they prepared to enter Canaan to say his final words. How did Moses look at the people of Israel? People who say they believe in God but often sin by turning away from God. A series of crimes against God constantly. This is the history of Israel's 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.
Moses must have felt the emotions of sending the Israelites away to the land of Canaan. Will they be able to survive in the land of Canaan? Will they be able to fight the people of Canaan with iron chariots and drive them out and establish a nation called Israel in the land of Canaan? Will the foreign gods be completely driven out, the pillars, poles, and altars of burnt offerings will be destroyed, and will the foreign temples be destroyed and live only while serving God? Will it be possible to create an Israeli culture that surpasses the Canaanite culture? .
I can feel the bitterness of Moses for letting the people of Israel go to the land of Canaan. Moses' thoughts that he had experienced throughout the years were negative. They leave such people in the hands of their successor, Joshua, and leave them with an unwilling heart like parents who are marrying their daughters in a place where hardship is clear. Moses watches over and over.
However, we can recall the image of God from the appearance of Moses. As we read the text, we see that God is standing behind the lonely appearance of Moses. 'My people, please enter the land of Canaan and survive.' This is not only an irresistible command, but also an earnest request.
God's earnestness in commanding the people of Israel to survive. The word 'today' is the word that shows this earnestness well. 'Today' is emphasized three times in the text (16, 18, 19). It is like this. “My people. At this hour today, I earnestly ask you. Life, blessing, death, and woe lie ahead of you. Choose life and blessing so that you and your descendants may live. Choose life and live. Enter the land of Canaan and live happily ever after. Please survive. My people.”
Therefore, this text is God's earnest survival command to the people of Israel who entered the land of Canaan 3000 years ago from now, to the people of Israel who easily sin and forget God, and to the people of Israel who eventually went into the land of Canaan and lived a life of failure.