Deuteronomy Worksheet - Chapter 17

 
Review & Intro:  Chapter 16 was about the 3 Feasts that Israel were to celebrate in the place that the Lord would choose for them when they were living in the Promised Land.  Chapter 17 describes how the sacrifices were to be without blemish or defect.  This is covered even more thouroughly in Leviticus 22.  This demonstrated that God demanded holiness for the substitute in place of the sinner.  When Jesus Christ was crucifed for our sins, was was holy and without sin.  Peter said that we were redeemed by "the precious blood of the a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." (1 Peter 1:9). 

 

Deuteronomy Chapter 17 - Observation Questions

1.  What was required of the ox or the sheep that the Israelite would offer to the Lord and why? vs. 1
2.  If there was a man or a woman in any of the towns that left the worship of the Lord on the terms that He had set in place, and they had literally gone off to serve "other gods and worshiped them" .. or had become involved in the "worship of the sun, moon, or heavenly host", it was to be investigated thoroughly.  Once it was known to be an absolute fact, what was to happen to the person? vs.2-5

3.  This extreme measure was not to be taken on heresay, but on the evidence of 2 or 3 actual witnesses.  A person was never to be put to death on the evidence of 1 witness. (vs.6) ...Who was to be the first to cast a stone in the person's death? vs. 7
4.  What was the purpose of this action? vs. 7
5.  This makes the story of the adulterous woman in Jesus' time even more meaningful.  Remember, she was caught in the "very act" and so the witnesses were there and letting Jesus know that the law of Moses should be carried out concerning her.  What did Jesus say to them?  He said "he among you that has 'no sin' be the 'first' to cast a stone.  He bent down and began to write in the sand and most believe He was listing the commandments that all of them would have guilt in at some point as well.  Let's read the story and realize more than ever that "The Law came through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus" (John      )

• Read John 8:1-11
• ..... Jesus asked her .... "Where are your accusers?"
• Did Jesus condemn her? vs.11
• What did He tell her? vs. 11
• What do you think He meant by that?  Could she literally never commit a sin again?  What do you think He meant in light of the sin her accusers had condemned her for?
• Remember this - The Holy Spirit convicts.  It is the enemy who accuses us and condemns us.  Comment on the following verses:
• Romans 8:1 -
• Romans 8:34 -
• Revelation 12:10 -
• Who condemns us?  .......

6.  When they could not decide more difficult cases in their towns, whether ... homicide, lawsuits, or assaults ... they were to take it to the "higher" court in the place where the Lord chose to dwell with His people, where the Levitical priest or the judge in office would be in the day of their need, declaring the case to them, and they would give them the verdict of the case.  (vs. 8,9) ... What were they to be sure and obey at that point?  vs.10,11 -
7.  If a man acted presumptuously and did not listen to the priest serving the Lord or to the appointed judge at the time, what would happen to them and why? vs.12,13
8.  What would the people begin to want after they entered the land of Promise that would make them be like all the nations around them? vs. 14
9.  When they desired this, what were they to be sure to use as a measure in choosing a king to rule over them? vs. 15 - Name 2 things

10.  What were the things the king chosen over Israel was "not" to do? vs. 16 - Name 4 things he was "not" to do -
11.  What had the Lord said for the people to never do again? vs. 16
12.  Once the king took office and was sitting on his throne of his kingdom, what was he to personally write out for himself on a scroll and in whose presence? vs. 18

Note:  Think of that when you are thinking our lessons are too long to write out (smiling)

13.  The king was to keep the personally handwritten copy of the law on the scroll with him at all times.  He was to read it all the days of his life.  What would he learn through this and how would he learn it? vs. 19
14.  What would the "law of the Lord" help the king not to do? vs. 20 - Name 2 things
15.  What would be the result of the king obeying the law of God? vs. 20
16.  God had wanted to be the only king over Israel.  He wanted them to have leaders as they did under Moses, but to remain dependent on Him as their king.  In Judges, the people asked Gideon be their king.  What did Gideon say to them at that time? 

• Judges 8:22-23 -

17.  During the days of the prophet Samuel, the people wanted a king appointed over them.  What was their reason for this?

• 1 Samuel 8:5 -

Note:  God knew this day would come, when they rebelled against His plan. So in preparation for their rebellion, He gave them standards for this king they wanted. Of course they neglected the standards as well.  The first king they appointed was Saul, but God's choice for them was David, who God called "a man after His own heart." 

 

 Application:

18.  We are thankful that Jesus is our unblemished and perfect sacrifice for our sins.  In Him, we have the righteousness of God to appear before the throne of mercy in our times of need.  Take a moment and thank the Lord for Christ, our Passover Lamb.  Amen.
19.  Like the woman caught in the very act of adultery, I am sure if there was a camera installed on our every thought and action in the most private places, we would stand guilty of a sin that would have been punishable by death under the law of Moses.  As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit that helps us "put to death" sins in our body, but we will not suffer physical death or separation from God in the life to come if we are truly born again and have a repentant heart for our sins.  Comment on the following verses:

• Romans 8:13 -
• Colossians 3:8-11 -

20.  The people wanted a king to rule over them.  The Lord had requirements for any king that they were to put over them.  Look up the following verses and comment on how it would benefit the king to do these things and how it would help us in our personal lives as well:

• Don't multiply horses.  In other words, don't depend on the horse for strength, but on the Lord.  What do you think we depend on to win our battles today?  Read Psalm 20:7 and comment.
• They were never to return to Egypt.  This is a picture of the world for us, a place of power or security in things of the world.  What did Stephen say about the historical record of Israel? Acts 7:39 -
• What do we turn to in the world today that would be not depending on the Lord?
• They were not to multiply wives or money.  In other words, don't feed the lust of the flesh - immorality and greed which is idolatry.  What does 1 Timothy 6:9-10 say about those who want to get rich in this life?
• They were to write out a copy of the Law and read it everyday.  How does Psalm 119:9-11 say a young man can keep his way pure?  What does Romans 12:1,2 tell us to do in order to always know God's good and acceptable will for our lives?
• These are safeguards for all of us to avoid the pitfalls of idolatry and immorality.  What steps can you take to do this?

21.  Summarize the lesson and post a prayer if you would like.