1. Carefully follow in order to prosper (1-15)

This is Moses' final speech to Israel as they were preparing to enter Canaan. The Lord confirmed the covenant he had first made with his people 40 years before when he redeemed them from slavery to Pharaoh. Moses encouraged them by reminding them how God had already defeated two nations while they were on their way. Now, their responsibility was to keep the words given in the Book of the Covenant, turning to the Lord with all their heart and soul.

2. A heart that turns away (16-29)

Moses warned the people sternly that if they took the words of the covenant lightly, thinking "I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way," it would bring complete disaster. Moses understood that the people had little spiritual understanding and that their descendants would turn away from the Lord and would require severe discipline. There was much the Israelites did not know about God's future plans, but the laws they had been given were God's way for them to prosper. We should spend time obsessing about things we cannot know, but understand and fulfill the obligations that God's words give us.