Deuteronomy 26 & Isaiah 46

Deuteronomy 26
- During first harvest in the new land, they shall some some of the first fruits in a basket to a place God will choose to make His name dwell there.
- They should go to the priest in office and say they have come into the land the Lord swore to their fathers.
- The priest will place the basket before the altar.
- Moses gives them the following to recite to remember where they came from, "A wandering Aramean was my father. And he went down into Egypt and sojourned there, few in number, and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. Then Egypt treated us harshly and humiliated them with hard labor."
- That's when the Israelites cried out to God and God heard them and brought them out of Egypt.
- God reminds them He brought them out of Egypt with "great deeds of terror", signs, and wonders.
- God gave them this "milk and honey flowing" land.
- That's why they are giving God their first fruits.
- They should set it down and worship the Lord and rejoice in all the good God has given to you and your house.
- In the 3rd year they should give their tithe of produce to the Levite, sojourner, fatherless, and widow so they can eat within their towns.
- Then they shall say before God that they have removed the "sacred portion" and given it to the needy according to God's commands.
- They should say they have not transgressed or forgotten any of God's commands or eaten the tithe while mourning or being unclean.
- It says they have kept all commandments a second time.
- They should ask God to look down from His "holy habitation" in heaven and bless Israel and the ground He has given them.
- Moses reminds them that they should be careful to do God's commandments with all their heart and soul. (echoed by Jesus in greatest commandment speech)
- They have declared God is their God and they will walk in His ways, follow His commands, and listen to His voice
- God declares this day that they are His treasured people and He will set them in fame high above all other nations in honor.
- They shall be His holy people and He had promised.

Isaiah 46
- Bel and Nebo will bow down.
- Their idols will weary their beasts.
- Their idols cannot save the burden and they go into captivity.
- God calls out to the house of Jacob to listen to Him.
- He carried them in the womb, and will carry them to old age.
- He will carry and save them.
- God asks them who His equal is.
- The wealthy people hire a goldsmith to make an idol that they can worship.
- They carry the idol home and put it in its place, but it can't move.
- It cannot answer them or save them from trouble
- God tells them to remember the things of old.
- There is no one like God.
- He knows the end from the beginning and ancient times from things not yet done (the future)
- God's counsel will stand and He will accomplish His purpose.
- God can call a bird or a man of counsel from far places.
- If God says it, it will happen.
- God tells those "stubborn of heart" and "far from righteousness" to listen to Him
- God's salvation will not delay.
- Salvation is in Zion and His glory in Israel.

Deuteronomy 25 & Isaiah 45

Deuteronomy 25
- @ men come into court before the judge, the innocent is acquitted and the guilty will lie down and be beaten with a number of stripes proportionate to his offense.
- 40 stripes is the number, any more would degrade your brother
- If 2 brother live together and one dies, the second shall take his wife and be a husband's brother to her.
- The first son born will receive the dead husband's name, so his name is not blotted out.
- If the second brother doesn't want to take the wife, she shall go to the elders and say that the brother refuses to perform the duty of the husband's brother.
- The elders will call the second brother and if he still refuses the wife shall remove his sandal and spit in his face.
- She will also say, " So shall it be done to the man who does not build up his brother's house"
- The second brother's house shall be known as "the house of him who had his sandal pulled off" in Israel.
- If a women is protecting her husband in a fight and grabs the attackers private parts, her hand shall be cut off.
- What does it mean about not have a large and small weight in their bags?
- They should only have a fair weight and fair measure.
- This will ensure their days are long in the land God is giving them.
- All who act dishonestly are an abomination to God.
- Moses reminds them of King Amalek, who attacked them when they were tired.
- He cut off their "tail" those lagging behind"
- So when God gives Israel rest from its enemies they shall blot out the memory of Amalek and not forget.

Isaiah 45
- Cyrus is labeled as "God's instrument"
- The Lord has grasped Cyrus' hand and is using it to subdue nations, overthrow kings, and level exalted places (mountains)
- God will give them treasures of darkness that they might know it is the Lord.
- He calls them for the sake of Jacob, Israel
- He knows them even though they don't know Him.
- God says there is no God besides Him and He will equip them even though they don't know Him.
- people will know Him from the east (rising of the sun) and from the west
- God does all things; creates light and darkness, well being and calamity
- He tells the clouds to rain down righteousness.
- The earth will open to bear salvation and fruit of righteousness.
- Woe to those who strive against God who made them.
- The clay doesn't question the one forming it.
- Woe also to those who ask a father what he's begetting or a women what their in labor with.
- So it is with those who question God about His children or the work of His hands.
- God created the earth, man, and the heavens.
- God stirred up righteousness in the man and will level his ways so they can build cities.
- He will set the exiles free.
- Men of stature, Egypt, Cush, Sabea, will come and bow down to them in chains.
- Then even they will see God is in His people and there is no other god.
- God is a god who hides Himself but is the Savior
- The makers of idols go into confusion and will be put to shame for all eternity.
- The Lord created the heavens (he is God!) who formed the earth (he established life on it and didn't leave it empty)
- God did not speak in darkness or in vain.
- God speaks in truth and declares what is right.
- The survivors should draw near together.
- They have no knowledge, those who carry around wooden idols that cannot save.
- They should present their case (about God?)
- God is righteous and a Savior.
- God tells "the ends of the earth" to turn to Him (not just Israel.)
- God has sworn by Himself, that His word has gone out and "every knee shall bow every tongue swear allegiance"
- Shame will come to those against Him.
- All offspring of Israel shall be justified and glory in the Lord.

Deuteronomy 24 & Isaiah 44

Deuteronomy 24
- This law addresses divorce
- if a man finds some indecency with a wife he may write her a certificate of divorce and send her out.
- if she remarries and the second husband divorces her or dies, the first husband may NOT take her back because she has been defiled.
- Isn't the woman allowed to remarry if her husband dies?
- The Israelites were not to bring any sin into the new land of inheritance.
- A man shall be free to be happy with his wife for one year and can't be in the army or public duty.
- No one shall take a millstone or upper millstone in a pledge (it's like taking a life).
- If anyone steals his brothers and sells him into slavery he shall die (like Joseph's brothers).
- Be careful to listen to the priests when someone has leprosy (Miriam is given as a reminder).
- You shall not go into a house to collect a pledge but wait outside.
- If the pledger is poor you shouldn't sleep in his pledge but restore it to him before the sun sets so he might sleep and it be counted as righteousness to you.
- Don't oppress a hired worker who is poor, but pay him on the same day because he needs it and so he won't cry out to God against you.
- Fathers shall not be put to death because of kids or vis versa, but each for his own sin
- What about the "you shall be punished to the fifth generation" etc...?
- Do not pervert justice for the fatherless, widow, or sojourner but remember you were a slave in Egypt and God redeemed you.
- Also in remembrance of being a slave in Egypt they shouldn't return to fields for a sheaf, or check over olive trees twice, or strip the grape vines, but should leave them for the fatherless, widow, and sojourner.

Isaiah 44
- God reminds them He formed them in the womb and will help them.
- Who is Jeshurun?
- God will pour water on dry land.
- He will pour His spirit on Israel's offspring and blessing on their descendants.
- Their children will write God's name on their hands and call themselves "the Lord's"
- God's names; King of Israel, Redeemer, Lord of hosts, first and the last.
- There is NO god besides God.
- God asks if there is anyone besides Him who can declare what will happen.
- God tells them not to fear because they were His from of old and He doesn't know of any other "Rock."
- All idol makers and idols are nothing.
- God will put them to shame and they will be terrified.
- The ironsmith fashions it over hot coals but gets hungry and thirsty and feels faint.
- A carpenter shapes the would to look like a man and cuts down cedar trees and other strong trees.
- The rain grows the tree and the man uses some wood for a fire to make bread and the other wood to make an idol.
- Then he falls down before the idol he made and worships it.
- It repeats the previous 2 statements.
- He cannot discern or understand the absurdity of using the same wood to cook a meal on that he uses to make an idol to worship.
- God will not forget Israel His people.
- He has blotted out their sins like a cloud or a mist.
- God tells them to return to Him because He has redeemed them.
- The heavens, earth, mountain, and trees sing out because God has redeemed Jacob and glorified in Israel.
- It again mentions God formed them in the womb.
- He reminds them He made all things;heaven and earth by Himself.
- He makes fools of diviners, liars, and makes their knowledge foolishness.
- God confirms words of His servants and messengers
- God will raise up ruins in Jerusalem and dry up rivers and will say to Cyrus that Jerusalem shall be rebuilt and her foundation be laid.

Deuteronomy 23 & Isaiah 43

Deuteronomy 23
- A List of people not allowed to enter the assembly of the Lord
1) Man with crushed testicles or "male organ" cut off
2) No one born of forbidden union (even to the 10th generation decedents)
3) No Ammonite or Moabite (even to the 10th generation)
- they are excluded because they didn't meet Israel with bread and water when they left Egypt.
- they also hired Balaam against Israel.
- reminds them how God turned Balaam's curse into a blessing
- Israel shall not seek peace or prosperity for either group
4) Edomite first and second generation
- Israel should NOT abhor them because Edomites are their brother and they were sojourners in Egypt
- A List of things that make you Unclean
1) Nocturnal emission
- this man should go outside the camp.
- at evening he shall bathe himself with water and come back at sunset
2) Excrement
- go outside the camp, sit down, dig a hole, and bury it.
- The camp shall be kept clean and holy, so nothing "indecent" should be there that might make God turn away
- Miscellaneous laws
1) You may not return an escaped slave but should keep him with you.
2) Daughters shouldn't become cult prostitutes.
- they shouldn't bring money made from these into house of the Lord.
- both the prostitution and money made from it are an abomination
3) No interest shall be charged to your brother
- you may charge a foreigner interest
-charging brothers interest takes away God's blessing in what they undertake and land they want to possess.
4) Do not delay any vow made to God
- God will require your vow be fulfilled
- If not it is sin
- Not vowing ensures you won't be guilty of sin
- caution - be careful what to do what has passed from your lips because you have vowed voluntarily
5) Eating Neighbors grapes from his vineyard & fields
- you may eat your fill but not take any with you.
- grain - you may pluck ears but not take the sickle to the standing grain

Isaiah 43
- God tells them not to fear because He has redeemed them and they are His.
- He will protect them when they cross rivers and walk through fire.
- Because He is God and their Savior
- Egypt is their ransom
- God loves them and gives men in return for Israel.
- God will gather them up from the east and west, north and south.
- He will bring His "sons and daughters" from the ends of the earth.
- He will call everyone He has called by name for His glory
- God tells people to come and declare what has taken place in the past.
- God says they are his servant whom He has chosen that they might know and understand Him.
- No "god" was made before Him and there will be none after Him either.
- There is no savior besides the Lord.
- No one can be delivered from God's hand.
- God is the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel
- God brings them all down from Babylon; even the Chaldeans.
- God is the Creator your King (God is constantly reminding them of His "labels")
- God quenches chariots and might warriors like a wick.
- Why does God tell them NOT to remember the old things? (v.18)
- He says He is making a new way and asks why they don't see it
- The wild beasts honor God even jackals and ostriches (which are "lower" animals)
- He gives water in the dry wilderness
- His people should declare Him praise
- All these truths and Israel and Jacob still did not call out to God.
- They have not brought offerings or sacrifices before God
- Why would frankincense weary them?
- They also didn't bring God sweet cane or fat from sacrifices.
- Instead the people have burdened God with their sin and iniquities.
- He blots out transgression for His own sake and will not remember their sins. (v.25) Why?
- God tells them to remember Him, set forth a case that they may be proved right. What does He mean by this?
- Your first father (Adam?) sinned and mediators (everyone else) transgressed against God.
- Therefore God will profane their princes, let Jacob be destroyed, and revile Israel.

Deuteronomy 22 & Isaiah 42

Deuteronomy 22 (mixed laws)
- They shouldn't ignore a brother's animal who goes astray, but shall return it.
- If they don't know whose animal it is they should keep it until their brother comes looking for it
- They should do the same thing with anything belonging to their brother, even clothes.
- If his donkey or ox has fallen, help them up.
- A woman shouldn't wear men's clothes
- A man shouldn't wear women's clothes (both are an abomination)
- They may take the young from a nest, but not the sitting mother.
- If building a roof make a parapet (barrier) so no one falls off the roof.
- They shouldn't sow two seeds in their vineyard (that would "forfeit" the whole yield/ make it holy) How does mixing seeds make the yield holy?
- They should work a donkey and ox together.
- They should mix cloth of wool and linen together.
- There should be tassels at the 4 corners of their garments.
- If a man takes a woman and hates her (because he finds out she is not a virgin he should tell her parents.
- The parents shall seek out the elders and should present a cloak.
- If this happens the man will be whipped and fined 100 shekels of silver for bringing a bad name on a virgin of Israel.
- She should still be his wife and he may not divorce her.
- If she is found guilty she shall be stoned outside her father's house for "whoring" to purge evil.
- If a man is found with another man's wife they shall both be put to death.
- If a man lies with a betrothed woman, they will both be stoned by the gate (the woman for not crying out for help and the man for the actual act)
- If a man seizes a betrothed girl in the country only he shall die. The woman has committed no offense.
- If a man seizes an unbetrothed woman and lies with her he shall give her father 50 shekels of gold and marry her. He may NOT divorce her.
- Taking your father's wife would be like uncovering his nakedness and shouldn't be done. (reference to Noah)
- Why does lying about a wife's virginity carry twice the "fine" as raping a virgin?

Isaiah 42
- God says to behold His servant in whom He delights who will have God's Spirit to bring justice to the nations. (reference to Jesus)
- He will not cry out or break a bruised reed (reference to crucifixion?)
- He will be faithful and not discouraged until He has established justice.
- God, who has created all, has called us in righteousness and will take us by the hand and keep us.
- God will give a covenant/light for His people that will make the blind see and free the prisoners.
- God gives his glory to no one and no idol.
- God is telling them what will happen BEFORE it takes place.
- We should sing a new song to God.
- The desert and cities, people of Kedar and Sela will sing for joy.
- God shows his zeal and might against His foes.
- God has kept His peace and restrained Himself long enough.
- Now He will lay waste to mountains and rivers will be islands (coastlands)
- God will lead the blind to new paths and bring them into the light. He won't forsake them.
- Those who worship idols are turned back and put to shame.
- His servant is blind and His messenger deaf.
- His dedicated one (one at peace with God) is blind
- He sees but doesn't observe, has open ears but doesn't hear (reference to what Jesus told the Pharisees?)
- The Lord was pleased for His righteousness' sake; to magnify His law and make it glorious.
- The people have been plundered and looted.
- God was the one who let Jacob and Israel be looted because of their sin against Him.
- They wouldn't obey His laws, so He poured out His anger on them.
- Still he (Israel) didn't understand or take it to heart.

Deuteronomy 21, Isaiah 41

Deuteronomy 21
- If they find a slain man in a field and don't know who killed him, the elders of the closest town shall bring a heifer down and break its neck there.
- The priests, sons of Levi shall and settle any dispute and assault.
- The elders of that closest city shall wash their hands and testify that they don't know who killed the man.
- They will pray God will accept this atonement for the blood guilt of the slain man.
- This will purge the guilt of the innocent blood from their midst because this is doing what's right before God.
- If they see a beautiful captive and want to take her as a wife, they must shave her head and cut her nails.
- She shall be remove her clothes from when she was captured and lament her father and mother for a month.
- After that she can be their wife.
- If after a month, they no longer desire her, they should release her where she wants.
- They may not sell her or treat her as a slave because they already humiliated her.
- Is this saying they can have sex with a slave and THEN say they don't want her anymore?
- A man with 2 wives, one loved and they other not loved, who has a first born to the unloved wife may not treat the first born of the loved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife.
- The firstborn of the unloved wife shall still get the double portion because he still has firstborn rights.
- A man with a rebellious son who won't listen to either parent, shall take him before the elders.
- The elders will stone the child for being rebellious; gluttonous and a drunkard in order to purge evil from their midst.
- One who commits a crime and is hung from a tree shall not hang all night but be buried that same day.
- Cursed is anyone who hangs from a tree (reference to crucifixion)
- They don't want to curse the land God is giving them as an inheritance.

Isaiah 41
- The people shall renew their strength and draw near to God for judgment.
- God tramples kings under His feet and treats them like dust.
- The Lord is the first and the last (alpha and omega)
- The coastlands have seen and are afraid.
- Everyone helps his neighbor and says be strong.
- Others will strengthen one another but God tells Israel not to fear. He will strengthen them.
- Those who are against you will be put to shame.
- They shall not find those who are against them.
- How does God hold our right hand with His righteous right hand?
- God calls Israel a worm but says He will help them.
- With God they can thresh the moutains and hills
- They shall rejoice and glory in the Holy One.
- God will not forsake those who are parched. He will answer them.
- God will make the dry land a flowing river or spring.
- God will put different kinds of tree together in the wilderness so that "they may see and know , consider and understand" that God's hand has done this.
- God tells them to bring their case before Him.
- They people want to know what will happen and has happened in the past.
- They say these things to idols whose works are "less than nothing"
- God is stirring someone from the north and east who will call upon His name.
- They will remember this prediction when it happens.
- God was the first to give them a herald of good news.
- When idols are asked about the future they give no answer or counsel because they are a delusion.
- The idols are simply metal images with "empty wind"

Deuteronomy 20 & Isaiah 40

Deuteronomy 20
- God tells them not to be afraid when the fight against an army bigger than them because God is with them.
- The priest shall speak to the people before battle.
- He will tell them not to let their hearts be faint and remind them that God is with them.
- The officers shall speak next and will let anyone leave who:
1) Didn't dedicate a new house he just built
2) Planted a vineyard and hasn't enjoyed its fruit
3) Hasn't taken his betrothed wife yet
4) Is faint hearted and fearful (that man should leave so he doesn't make other doubt God)
- The commander shall be appointed next
- God instructs Israel to offer peace before fighting a city
- If they accept peace they will do forced labor for Israel
- If not, they shall besiege it
- They shall kill all men found in the city
- The women, children, and livestock shall be their spoil.
- That's what they should do to far away cities.
- But in the cities God is giving them as an inheritance, they shouldn't save anything that breathes.
- They should completely destroy the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.
- This is so the Israelites don't learn abominable practices from them and sin against God
- When besieging, they may eat from trees but not cut them down.
- They may cut down nonfood trees for seigeworks.

Isaiah 40
- God comforts His people by speaking tenderly to them.
- Her warfare will end that she has received doubly for her sins.
- The voice of one crying in the wilderness, "prepare the way of the Lord" (Later used by John the Baptist)
- The land will be leveled.
- The glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it.
- The flesh is like the grass and will wither when the breath of the Lord blows on it.
- v. 7 and 8 are echoed in James 1
- Zion shall speak the good news and fear not.
- God comes with might and His reward is with Himself.
- He will gather his flock and carry them in His arms.
- No one can measure the water in His hands or the span of the heavens, or weigh the mountains
- Who can measure His Spirit or offer Him counsel... No one
- No one taught Him justice, knowledge, or understanding.
- There aren't enough animals to make burnt offerings
- All nations are nothing before Him; they are like a drop in a bucket or fine dust
- An idol is created by a craftsman and an idol is NOT like God.
- They should know these things they've always been told from the beginning.
- God sees man like grasshoppers and unrolls the heavens like a carpet.
- God makes princes and kings nothing.
- God asks who can be compared to Him (echoes of the end of Job)
- He will call them out by His might and strong power.
- God asks why the people say their way is hidden from God when He is the everlasting God, creator of the earth.
- God does not grow faint or weary and His knowledge is "unsearchable"
- God gives power to the faint and strength to the weak.
- Even young men grow weary but God will renew their strength.
- "They shall mount up on wings like eagles. they shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint" (Used in a hymn)
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