Chapter Summary

Israel reminded of their unworthiness to possess the land in themselves.

Discussion Questions for Deuteronomy, Chapter 9

1. When has God done the impossible in your life? How do you remind yourself about it?
2. The Lord makes it clear that the Israelites were not receiving the land because they were righteous. Instead, they were receiving it because the inhabitants were wicked and God had previously promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. When have you received a blessing that you did not deserve?
3. What do you think the term "stiff-necked" means? Where does it come from? If this describes your life, how can you change?
4. Why does the Lord fulfill His promise, even though Israel's actions were rebellious? What does that tell us about God's character?
5. What do you think caused the Israelites to worship the golden calf? What might a modern example of this look like?
6. In this chapter, Moses reminds the people of how he acts as a mediator between the unfaithful Israelites and the Lord. How does this foreshadow Jesus' relationship with us? What other connections can be made?
7. Could God have maintained His promise to Abraham in Genesis 17 if he wiped out all of the Israelites? Why or why not? If He could have, why didn't He do it?
8. Moses' complete destruction of the golden calf should be an image on how we deal with sin in our lives. What sin in your life needs to be completely eradicated like the golden calf in verse 21?
9. Why does God continuously show patience and grace to the Israelites through all of the provoking that they do in verses 22-24? How can you show a similar kind of grace and patience to others this week?
10. In Exodus 32:14, God relents from the disaster he intended for the Israelites because God heard the intercessory prayers of Moses. What do you need to pray for today?

Key Words/Phrase

Remember, v. 7 (stubbornness, v. 27).

Characters

God, Moses, Aaron, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob.

Strong Verse(s)

4