Deuteronomy 17-33

1. Deuteronomy 17-33 “We learn from the word of the Lord to Moses that the Lord selected a place for the children of Israel, even before they were born, thus he indicated the number of spirits who were assigned to become the descendants of Jacob. We may well believe that the Lord also parceled out the surface of the earth for all other peoples. Some of these places were evidently designed for inhabitants who had lost interest in or touch with the plan of salvation. We may well believe that the Lord did not permit the more progressive and more worthy spirits to come to the families of the ungodly and the less progressive peoples of the earth” (J. Fielding Smith, ATGQ, 4:11-12).

2. Kings shall not multiply horses, wives or gold. The king must study the laws of God daily. 1. The king should be a man selected by the Lord (Deut. 17:15). 2. He had to be an Israelite (v. 15). 3. He should not multiply horses (v. 16). Horses were associated with war, they should not seek for additional power.

3. 4. He should not multiply wives (v. 17). Political or personal reasons. It could end up in idol worship. 5. He should not seek to extend his wealth (v. 17). It could lead to oppression and taxation. 6. His basis for rule was to be the law of God (v. 18- 19). 7. He was not to be lifted up in pride (v. 20). Much of the sorrow of the world was directly traceable to this failure. Humility of leaders before the people was a virtue to be sought after.

4. Deuteronomy 18:9-12 The Canaanites were a superstitious people who believed in and practiced divination and black magic. Enchanter: Inspected the entrails of dead animals, watched the flight of birds, and used other means to predict the future. A Charmer: Employed spells and incantations to predict future events.

5. Consulters with familiar spirits: Tried to contact the spirit of a departed person to learn things not known to human beings. A Wizard: a male witch A necromancer: One who consulted with familiar spirits, seeked the secrets of the spirit world by inquiring of the dead. All of those practices were forbidden to ancient Israel.

6. Deuteronomy 18:20-22 The tests for a true prophet of God: “When is a prophet a prophet? Whenever he speaks under the inspiration and influence of the Holy Ghost… “When prophets write and speak on the principles of the gospel, they should have the guidance of the Spirit. If they do, then all that they say will be in harmony with the revealed word. If they are in harmony then we know that they have not spoken presumptuously. Should a man speak or write, and what he says is in conflict with the standard words which are accepted, with the revelations the Lord has given, then we may reject what he has said, no matter who he is” (Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:187).

7. Deuteronomy 21:18-21 Were parents really required to have their rebellious children executed? 1. The law was given by the Lord. 2. Those children to whom no counsel or guidance was meaningful.

8. 3. These were children who had reached maturity. 4. The parents had tried all means of correction and had failed.

9. 5. Although the parents had to bring the charges against their children, they did not have to execute them as were the witnesses in other capital crimes. 6. Since the family was the basic unit of society and the most important means of transmitting righteousness from generation to generation, the child who utterly rejected parental authority threatened the very order of society. Thus, like the idolater, he must be put to death. 7. A parent who upheld his child in crime became a contributor to crime in society.

10. If parents refused to complain against their son, they were then guilty of condemnation and/or participation in his crimes. A parent refusing to file a complaint in such a case would become a party to the offense and a defender of crime. Think for a moment of how strongly parents would strive to turn their children from sin, knowing that if they failed, they would have to go through the horror of taking them to the judges for execution.

11. Deuteronomy 22:5 “The way one clothes oneself” The Lord expressly forbid a unisex society.

12. Any attempt to erase the obvious distinctions between men and women was unnatural and was therefore an abomination to the Lord. Prophets of God have always counseled His children to dress modestly. The way you dress is a reflection of what you are on the inside. Your dress and grooming send messages about you to others and influence the way you and others act. When you are well groomed and modestly dressed, you invite the companionship of the Spirit and can exercise a good influence on those around you. Never lower your dress standards for any occasion. Doing so sends the message that you are using your body to get attention and approval and that modesty is important only when it is convenient (For the Strength of the Youth).

13. Deuteronomy 23:18 “dog” A contemptuous term for males who either were prostitutes themselves or profited from prostitution. Deuteronomy 24:5 “Really!” When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken.

14. Deuteronomy 24:1-4 “Bill of Divorcement” It provided an opportunity for a woman who was divorced by her husband to remarry if she desired. The restriction here was that one who had divorced his wife may not later change his mind and remarry her.

15. Deuteronomy 27-28What an object lesson! These two chapters are fundamental to understanding the “Scattering and Gathering.” Deuteronomy 27:1-3 Mt. Ebal, left side, barren, cursed side, yelled out the cursing. Six tribes. Deuteronomy 27:11-13 Mt. Gerizim, right side, blessing side, yelled out the blessing. Six tribes. In the middle was Shechem They were cutting a covenant. No one could be ignorant after this. Deuteronomy 28:1-14 “Blessings” Deuteronomy 28:15-68 “Cursings”

16. Deuteronomy was a covenant of love. The curses were to humble and bring back Israel. Deuteronomy 28:63-68 was the ultimate curse, all others are pre-cursors. The Scattering was a lengthy process. So was the Gathering. The curse to Israel was a blessing to the gentiles because of the mixing. Deuteronomy 34:4-6 Alma 45:18-19