Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 9: God gives through undeserved mercy

Begin in prayer

Before we come to Moses’ words on Israel’s stubbornness, let us confess our own need for mercy. Ask God to show our family the grace that saves sinners through His Son.

Don’t remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions. Remember me according to your loving kindness, for your goodness’ sake, Yahweh.

Psalm 25:7

Father in heaven, we cannot bring our righteousness as a reason for Your favor. Show us our sin as we hear Your word. Teach us to seek Your mercy through Jesus, and keep us from the pride that boasts in undeserved gifts. Please open our eyes as we read Your Word, make us more like Christ, and bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Israel will face nations stronger than themselves, and the LORD will go before them as a devouring fire. Their victory will judge those nations’ wickedness and fulfill God’s promise to their fathers. Moses insists that Israel’s own righteousness is no explanation for the gift. He recalls their rebellion, especially the golden calf made while he received the covenant tablets. He broke those tablets and pleaded for the people and Aaron. God heard his prayer and spared the people He had redeemed.

As you read Deuteronomy 9, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God keeps His promises through mercy, despite His people’s stubborn sin.

The coming conquest could give Israel a dangerous story about their own goodness. Moses replaces that boast with God’s judgment on wicked nations and His faithfulness to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Israel’s history supplies evidence of stubbornness rather than merit. While God gave the covenant tablets, the people made an idol and provoked His wrath. The broken tablets displayed the covenant they had violated. Moses’ intercession appealed to God’s redeemed people, His promises, and His name among the nations. Their survival rested on His mercy, which He showed by hearing Moses.

How does Deuteronomy 9 show us that God keeps His promises through mercy, despite His people’s stubborn sin?

God’s gifts leave no room for boasting.

Israel’s enemies were strong and wicked. God would judge them and keep His promise to Israel’s fathers. Israel must never explain the gift by claiming righteousness of their own.

God sees the depth of sin.

Israel made the calf while Moses was receiving God’s covenant. Their worship of it provoked God to anger. Moses broke the tablets before them, displaying the covenant they had broken.

God hears the plea for mercy.

Moses pleaded for the people and for Aaron. He appealed to the LORD’s promises and His mighty redemption from Egypt. God listened and did not destroy them.

Memorise

Know therefore, that Yahweh your God doesn’t give you this good land to possess for your righteousness; for you are a stiff-necked people.

Deuteronomy 9:6

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what pride must I confess to Jesus?

Israel’s history explains God’s verdict, “you are a stiff-necked people.” Their sin gave them no claim on the land, and their survival depended on God’s mercy. Moses stood before God and pleaded for them.

Jesus is the sinless mediator who gave His own life for His people. At the cross He bore the wrath their rebellion deserved, securing the mercy they could never earn. He rose from the dead, and His finished sacrifice paid in full for His people's sin.

Put away your boast in being better than others. Confess your sin and trust Jesus Christ. All who come to Him are forgiven by grace, the same grace the apostles proclaimed for Jews and Gentiles.

Parent's note

Tell your children the difference between receiving a gift and earning a reward, because Israel received the land as a gift. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Ask God for mercy, and confess the boasting exposed by the heart question. Every child can pray, so invite each one to seek His grace.

But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.

Acts 15:11

Father in heaven, thank You that You keep Your promises through mercy, though we are stubborn. Have mercy on us through Jesus, who bore judgment for His people and rose again. Bring each of us to trust His finished work. Teach us to receive Your gifts with humble gratitude. In Jesus' name, Amen.