1. Deuteronomy 1:9-23. What is the difference between Moses’ account of the history here, and the account given by him in Numbers 11 and 13? How do you explain it?

In Numbers, God initiated the lifting of the burden off Moses, and the sending of the spies. Here, God is not mentioned in the events.

Liberal scholarship delights in such “contradictions” but Bible believers understand that this dual telling is merely two sides to the same story.

In the first case, God and his man have the initial discussion. Moses even asks God to kill him if his burden is not lifted (Numbers). The gracious Father responds with a plan. Moses ( Deuteronomy) simply turns around to the people and shares with them the plan.

In the case of the sending of the spies, both the Lord and the people come to Moses with the idea. It is not clear which came first. Was God responding to what might have become another complaint if they did not get their way, or did God put His own desires in the people so that hearing from one was confirmed by hearing from the other?

Regardless, Moses liked the plan and carried it out. No one but the Lord knew what the devastating consequences of this expedition would be.

2. Deuteronomy 14:23-28. To what was the tithe to be dedicated?

First, the people would take some of it to have fellowship before the Lord in Jerusalem. Then Levites, who did not have an allotment in Israel, were to be supported. Then, food was to be placed in storehouses, so that foreigners, fatherless, and widows could receive ministry as needed.

It could further be asked, And what is the tithe used for today? Consider the answer to that question a long time…

3. Deuteronomy 15:4-5, 11. Why is Jesus’ statement, and this one from Moses, true regarding the poor?

The passage here indicates that no one needs to be poor. That is, poverty is not the default position for certain people, or certain believers. Rather, poverty comes into a nation or an individual family due to disobedience to God’s ways. Constant disobedience will assure constant multitudes of poor in the world.

4. Deuteronomy 16:17. Besides the tithe, what other form of giving is enjoined on God’s people?

From the beginning, God’s people are asked to give what they can. What some can give, far exceeds the tithe. No percentage or guideline is mentioned here. All is dependent on the love of the giver for the God of Israel.

5. Deuteronomy 21:11. What exception is made to the laws regarding intermarriage? Why?

Canaanites were to be altogether eliminated, so it seems hard to believe that this marital privilege would extend to them. But during other battles, perhaps with Moab or Edom or Ammon, it might happen that a soldier is taken by the beauty of one of his prisoners. With certain parameters in place, he can go ahead and marry.

Remember also that Moses is dealing with hard-hearted people, as said Jesus. Such provisions certainly do not apply to those who want to obey the Lord’s original intent regarding marriage.

6. Deuteronomy 22:6 ff. Why the ruling about a bird’s nest?

Though it may well be true that this was a practical as well as humanizing practice, so that birds would prosper in the eco-chain that was threatened by snakes etc in that day, I still like the comments of Benson: