1. A review of the history of deliverance (1-4)

Verses 1-48 review Israel's deliverance from Egypt and the stages of their journey through the wilderness to the Plains of Moab. Aaron's death is a landmark of history (38). Israel's deliverance from Egypt was God's judgment on the gods of Egypt. God struck Egypt's heart, and the Egyptians buried their firstborn as Israel marched out (3,4). It was only by God's grace that Israel escaped God's judgment.

2. Destroy all idols; drive out idolaters (36-56)

Idolatry is man's futile attempt to ignore God and make his own religion. There are ancient and modern examples of this. God does not want his people to compromise with idolatry, or to fellowship with idolaters. He told his people to root idolatry out of Canaan. If they allowed any remnants of idol worship to remain, God would do to Israel what he planned to do to the godless Canaanites.

Application: Lord, tear all idols from my heart and dwell within me as my only Lord, Ruler of my heart.
One Word: God hates idolatry