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Moses concludes the covenant renewal text of Deuteronomy by reminding his audience of the covenant relationship the Suzerain (Ruler) God has established with His vassals, Israel. He begins a new covenant which adds to the covenant made at Horeb (Sinai).
As an introduction to an additional covenant, Moses reviewed some of the key events in Israel’s history to motivate the Israelites to obey their Suzerain (Ruler) God.
Moses described the parties that were about to enter into this additional covenant between the Suzerain (Ruler) God and the Israelites. This covenant will establish them as His treasured possession, as He swore to Israel’s ancestors.
Moses makes it clear that this additional covenant the LORD establishes with Israel applies not only to all those who are present but to all future generations as well. It is a covenant between the Suzerain (Ruler) God and the Israelites (His vassals) in perpetuity.
The LORD’s devastating judgment on the people and on the Promised Land would serve as a warning to the future generations of Israelites.
Moses encourages the Israelites to obey all the covenantal laws. Everything that the Suzerain God reveals must be obeyed. Things that are not revealed are left to God.
Chapter 29 concludes the description of the covenantal ceremony, then begins Moses' final address to the people of Israel. In Chapters 5-26, Moses set forth the basic agreement between God and Israel in a format familiar to the time, which is now known as a Suzerain-vassal treaty structure. Then in Chapters 27-28, Moses provided the blueprint of a ceremony to be conducted once they entered the Promised Land, citing the blessings and cursings contained in the covenant. Now in this last address, Moses exhorts Israel to make good choices. He also addresses future generations, exhorting them to follow the covenant and inherit the blessings, as well as addressing a future time when Israel will break the covenant, along with an assurance that God will never abandon Israel.
After a review of the LORD's faithfulness to Israel in the past, Moses calls on Israel to commit themselves to Him so that they may be blessed in the Promised Land. He tells them that every generation of Israelites must refrain from idolatry. Failure to do so will result in curses which would ultimately lead to Israel's destruction.
Moses concludes the chapter by telling Israel that the secret things belong to the Suzerain (Ruler) God, but the things revealed belong to them and their descendants and must be obeyed carefully.
Deuteronomy 29 can be outlined as follows:
- Conclusion to Previous Address (Deuteronomy 29:1a)
- Beginning of new covenant with the second generation (from leaving Egypt) (Deuteronomy 29:1b)
- Moses' Final Address-Covenant Renewal (Deuteronomy 29:2-29)
- Historical Review (Deuteronomy 29:2-8)
- The Reason for the Assembly (Deuteronomy 29:9-15)
- The Consequences of Disobeying the Covenant (Deuteronomy 29:16-28)
- Exhortation to Obey the LORD's Revealed Word (Deuteronomy 29:29)
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