Chapter Summary

Warnings and exhortations to obedience.

Discussion Questions for Deuteronomy, Chapter 11

1. The children of the Israelites were not alive to see God's wonderful acts in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, but neither were we. If you were to choose one awe-inspiring work of God from the Bible, which one would you want to witness the most? Why?
2. The land of Canaan was "watered by the rain from the sky" (Verse 11 CSB). What is the significance of the water coming from the sky rather than being irrigated by hand?
3. God was watching over the land for centuries so that the Israelites would have a good inheritance once they were freed from slavery. What has the Lord ordained in your life in a similar way?
4. What was the consequence of turning away from the Lord? When have you ever experienced famine in your life due to turning from the Lord?
5. Verses 18-20 mirror the Shema found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. What does it mean to bind God's words on your hands and to be a symbol on your head? How can we practice this in the modern age?
6. Where else in scripture do we see symbols on a person's head and hand? (Hint: think about the New Testament!) What connections can you make between this instruction about knowing the Lord and his commands and these other passages?
7. Why was it important for the Israelites to write the Lord's commands on the doorposts and city gates? What can you do today to be faithful to this passage?
8. Does obedience always lead to success? Why or why not?
9. Verses 26-28 lay out a blessing if the people are obedient and a curse if they are not. Is life this simple though? How can this verse make sense when sometimes bad things happen to good people and vice versa?
10. What is the significance of these two mountains that the Lord chooses in verse 29? What about the other locations mentioned in verse 30?

Key Words/Phrase

Obey, v. 27.

Characters

God, Moses.

Strong Verse(s)

8, 16, 26