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Summary of the Covenant Demand
29:1 to 30:20

Moses begins this section by reminding the children of Isra’el of YHVH’s faithfulness to them in bringing them from Egypt to the plains of Mo’ab, as well as of the covenantal relationship into which they are entering with God – a relationship that promises cursing for disobedience and blessing for obedience. In the light of those realities, Moshe challenges Isra’el to renew this covenant and choose life and blessing rather than death and cursing.

Chapter 29 is a summons to the covenant oath which is finally taken in Chapter 30. It reflects the overall pattern of the Near Eastern Treaty (to see link click AhTreaty of the Great King), with a review of ADONAI’s past works and deliverance (see FmRenewal of the Covenant), a call to enter into the covenant (see FnAll of You Are Standing), a warning that the curses of the covenant will fall on the rebels (see FoDo Not Worship Other Gods), although ultimate restoration is intended (see FpRestoration After Repentance), and finally a call to the firm decision to accept the covenant (see FqChoose Life). So, this whole section is a kind of summary of the total covenant demand.624

This section picks up and summarizes much of the earlier material, condensing the message of the whole book in two chapters. It concludes with almost evangelical fervor, and it’s not surprising that the second half of Chapter 30 finds echoes in the teaching of both Yeshua and Paul.625