After retelling the terms of the covenant made with their parents at Mt. Sinai 40 years ago, Moses reminded the new generation of their experience of God's grace and power in Egypt, his provision in the wilderness, and defeating Sihon and Og. Now God called them to renew his covenant with them so that he may become their God and make them his people, as he swore to Abraham. If they carefully follow the terms of the covenant, then they will prosper in everything. This covenant was not only for the present generation of Israel, but people of every nation and generation who would believe his word and accept his promises (14-15).

To become a covenant people is to commit to loving and worshiping God, guarding their hearts from idolatry of any kind. One act of idolatry is like a root that produces bitter poison which brings God's judgment on themselves and others (19-20). If they abandon the covenant with God in the Promised Land and worship idols, God's furious wrath will fall on them and their land will be like Sodom and Gomorrah. We cannot know all things about God, but he clearly reveals the truth to us. We must choose obedience for blessing rather than disobedience for curses.


Application: Lord, thank you for the new covenant sealed in Jesus' blood. Help me to live a life worthy of a covenant people. Root out the bitter poison of idolatry from my heart.
One Word: A holy duty of a covenant people.