the Third Week of Advent
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Bible Commentaries
Gray's Concise Bible Commentary Gray's Concise Commentary
Moses Reviews Israel's Journey from Sinai.Chapter 2
Wanderings Through Edom, Moab, and Ammon.Chapter 3
Victory Over Og; Land Allocation East of Jordan.Chapter 4
Call to Obedience; Warning Against Idolatry.Chapter 5
Reiteration of the Ten Commandments.Chapter 6
The Shema: Love the Lord Your God.Chapter 7
Instructions for Conquering and Destroying Canaanite Nations.Chapter 8
Remember the Lord; Don't Forget His Provision.Chapter 9
Israel's Rebellion Recounted; God's Mercy Highlighted.Chapter 10
New Tablets; Fear the Lord Commandments.Chapter 11
Rewards for Obedience; Blessings and Curses.Chapter 12
Centralized Worship; Abolish Idolatrous Practices.Chapter 13
Avoid False Prophets and Idolatry Temptations.Chapter 14
Clean and Unclean Foods; Tithing Instructions.Chapter 15
Sabbatical Year Laws and Servant Release.Chapter 16
Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles Festivals Reiterated.Chapter 17
Justice and Kingship Laws Established.Chapter 18
Laws on Priests, Levites, and Prophets.Chapter 19
Cities of Refuge and Witness Regulations.Chapter 20
Laws of Warfare and Conduct in Battle.Chapter 21
Family Laws and Miscellaneous Instructions.Chapter 22
Various Laws on Social Responsibility.Chapter 23
Laws on Assembly and Camp Cleanliness.Chapter 24
Divorce, Loans, and Justice for the Poor.Chapter 25
Miscellaneous Laws on Justice and Fairness.Chapter 26
Firstfruits and Tithes; Covenant Reaffirmation.Chapter 27
Mount Ebal Altar; Curses for Disobedience.Chapter 28
Blessings for Obedience; Curses for Disobedience.Chapter 29
Renewal of the Covenant in Moab.Chapter 30
Repentance and Restoration; Life and Death Choices.Chapter 31
Joshua Commissioned; Law Read Every Seven Years.Chapter 32
Moses' Song Recounts Israel's History.Chapter 33
Moses Blesses the Tribes of Israel.Chapter 34
Moses' Death on Mount Nebo; Joshua Succeeds.
- Deuteronomy
by James Martin Gray
There were fewer lessons in Numbers in proportion to its length than in the previous books, and the same will be true of Deuteronomy and some others. The reason is the lesser comparative importance of these books, and because of the repetitions they contain.
It would be serious, however, both to the understanding of the Bible and the spiritual life of those following these lessons if the books referred to should be omitted in the course of study. They are part of the revelation of God’s will, and have their value in our coming to know Him, and in the moulding of our character and our training for service.
HOW TO UTILIZE THE LESSONS
But how shall the teachers of Bible classes utilize such lessons? Let not their length discourage them, but let that feature be seized upon as a precious opportunity to get their classes feeding on the Word of God in large portions, and drinking from the fountain of life in copious draughts. The experience to many will be new, but that will give it freshness. At the same time the task will be easy, simply to read and not necessarily to study the assigned chapters. The interest is likely to increase with the reading, until the variety afforded by such lessons over those briefer in space and more closely analytic in character will be anticipated with pleasure.
A METHOD SUGGESTED
The author would recommend this method: Announce to the class that the next lesson will be on such or such a general theme, and cover so many chapters. As it has few difficulties of any kind, or covers matters treated previously, the class is asked merely to read the text carefully and in a prayerful spirit. But they are asked to read it several times, if possible make it their daily reading for the intervening week. Then when they come together in the class they will begin to discuss its contents as familiar with it, having something to communicate worthwhile.
The teacher or leader of the class will always find a basis or starting point for such discussions in the questions and annotations furnished in this commentary.
