The One Year Chronological Bible - Week 12 Reflection Questions

Week 12 (Mar 16-22): Deut 13:1-34:12 , Psalm 90, & Joshua 1:1-2:24

As you read through these passages of the Bible, reflect upon these questions individually, through journaling, in pairs, or in small groups...

1. In Deuteronomy 13, we read that the Israelites were not to listen to a prophet who tried to lead them away from the LORD.  In fact, they were instructed that they were to kill a prophet who does this.  Yet it also says, "The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul."  What does it mean for God to test us?  How do you respond to the idea of God testing the Israelites through false prophets who would then be killed for what they had done?
2. In Deut. 14:28-29, we read, "At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns, so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands."  The tithe was to God, but it was used not only for the Levites but also the destitute.  Amidst the judgment and punishment of the Old Testament, we see this grace to those in need.  What significance does this have for us today?
3. In Deuteronomy 15:7-8 we read, "If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them.  Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need."  How does this challenge or affirm you current approach to poverty today?  Does this invite us to do more or to do things differently?  If so, how?
4. Deuteronomy 15:11 says, "There will always be poor people in the land.  Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land." In John 12 after Jesus was anointed at Bethany, Judas rebuked Mary for being wasteful with the money for the nard rather than giving it to the poor.  Jesus quoted Deut. 15:11 in response to Judas, saying, "You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me." Does reading the verse from Deuteronomy 15 in context adjust your understanding of what Jesus was saying to Judas?  If so, in what way?
5. In Deuteronomy 17:14 Moses said, "When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, "Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us.""  I Samuel 8 records the people's desire to have a king like the other nations.  Moses seemed to know that this day would come.  Did the people heed Moses warning? How might things have been different?  How well do we heed God's warnings to us today?
6. In Deuteronomy 17:17 we read of guidelines for the kings and it says, "He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray.  He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold."  Later we will read of King Solomon who was known for his wisdom but also had MANY wives and MUCH wealth.  What significance might this have had for him?  What significance does it hold for us today?
7. Compare Deuteronomy 20:5-9 with Luke 14:15-24.  What are the similarities and differences here?  Does reading them together lead one to inform the other and if so, how?
8.  In Deuteronomy 21:23 we read, "You must not leave the body hanging on the pole overnight.  Be sure to bury it that same day, because anyone who is hung on a pole is under God's curse."  Jesus was hung on a cross (i.e. pole) and was buried that same day.  How might this verse have affected the mindset of people who saw Jesus crucified?  What does it mean for us today?
9. Deuteronomy 22:1-3 speaks of what to do when you find someone else's property.  We often hear the phrase, "Finders Keepers.  Losers Weepers."  Is this a consistent approach to Deuteronomy 22?  If not, what might be a better phrase to "chant?"
10. In Deuteronomy 22:22, we read, "If a man is found sleeping with another man's wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die."  Read John 8:1-11.  How might this verse shed light on that story?  Were those present being faithful and consistent?  If not, what does that say to us?
11. In Deuteronomy 22:28-29, we read, "If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, he shall pay her father fifty shekels of silver.  He must marry the young woman, for he has violated her.  He can never divorce her as long as he lives."  Doesn't this punishment actually punish the victim?  How are we to reconcile these instructions?
12.Deuteronomy 26 gives instructions about offering one's first fruits to the LORD.  What implications might this have for us today?
13. Deuteronomy 30:6 says, "The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live."  What does it mean for our hearts to be circumcised?  What are the implications for this in connection with the new covenant?
14. Read Deuteronomy 30:11-20.  Consider the imagery offered here.  How might this speak to us yet today and to those who are antagonistic to faith?  What does this have to say to us in regard to the long term impact of our faith today on our descendants in the future?
15. Memorize Deuteronomy 31:6 and incorporate this verse into your prayer life.
16. In Psalm 90:4 says, "A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night."  God's perspective of time is different from our own.  How have you experienced this in your life?
17.  In Deuteronomy 34, we read of the death of Moses.  The author declares that since then no prophet like Moses has arisen.  Moses had his shortcomings and yet served God in faithful and powerful ways.  While we probably don't know anyone with a reputation like Moses, who are the role models of faith in your life and why?
18. God charged Joshua to lead the people and to be strong and courageous knowing that God was with him as He was with Moses.  Are there ways that God has charged you for service?  If so, for what and what did God's charge to you look like?
19. In Joshua 10:17 the people commit to follow Joshua just as they "fully obeyed" Moses.  Is this an accurate representation of how they followed Moses?  If not, what are we to make of this claim?
20. Joshua sent spies into Jericho.  The spies hide in the house of a prostitute,  Rahab.  Given all that we have read about the importance of sexual purity and remaining "clean," what are we to make of this choice of hiding spot?  In what ways will Rahab play into the furthering story of the people of God?

 May the Lord bless and shape us through our individual reading and corporate study of His word this year.