Scroll to the bottom for thoughts/discussion questions!
One-sentence summary: Instructions are given about sacrifices, murder cases, witnesses, the Levites, the abstinence of abominable practices, false and true prophets, and methods for engaging in battle.
Moses reminds Israel of the laws God has given them, such as not sacrificing any animal with a defect to the Lord. If anyone has been "wicked in transgressing God's covenant" by serving and worshipping other gods, or the sun, moon, or stars, once it is found out, that person must be stoned outside the gates of the camp. On the testimony of two or three witnesses, if one is found to have done something "worthy of death," that person must be put to death, with the witnesses will be the first to lay a hand on him, with the other people following. "So [they] shall put away the evil from among [them]." If a matter arises that is too hard for the people to judge, they are to go to "the place the Lord their God chooses" to the priests, Levites, and judges, and inquire of them, and they will decide, and the people must submit to their judgement and follow them explicitly. If a man refuses to listen to the priest or judge, that man will die, and "the evil will be put away from [them]" and the people will "hear and fear" and "no longer act presumptuously." Once in the promised land, when the people say they want a king so they can be like other nations (something it is implied they have determined to do even though it is not God's best), then they are to establish a king from among their brethren only. However, he shall not "multiply horses for himself" or wives for himself (lest his heart turn away) or silver or gold for himself or have the people return to Egypt. Also, when he is on the throne, he must write the book of the law that is before the priests and Levites, and he must read it "all the days of his life" and "learn to fear the Lord" and be careful to observe His law so that "his heart is not lifted up before his brethren," and so that it may go well with him and his days in the kingdom be prolonged.
More about the inheritance of the Levites (a repeat from before, i.e. the Lord will be their portion.) If a Levite comes to the place the Lord chooses, he may serve the Lord there, because he is a Levite, and they will have portions from the sacrifices.
Once in the land, the people are not to follow "the abominations of those nations." This means no witchcraft, soothsaying, omens, sorcerers, conjurers, mediums, spiritualists, or one who calls up the dead, because these are abominations which cause the nations to be driven out before Israel. Israel, in contrast, is to be blameless before the Lord. The nations listened to soothsayers and diviners, but the Lord will raise up for Israel prophets like Moses for the people to listen to. Moses says this is because the people had spoken that they didn't want to hear from the Lord directly, so God said He would raise up a prophet like Moses for the people, and whoever doesn't listen, God will hold that person accountable, but false prophets will die. If the thing prophesied comes to pass, that is how the people will know a prophet is a true prophet.
Once the nations are dispossessed and Israel is in the land, three cities must be separated for refuge cities for accidental manslaughter. The Lord says an act not done in hatred is not worthy of death. If the Lord enlarges their territory and gives them the land and they keep His commands- to love the Lord and walk in His ways- then they can add three more cities, so that innocent blood will not be shed and guilt be upon them. If anyone hates his neighbor and kills him on purpose, and he flees to a city, then the elders of his city must bring him back and deliver him in to the hand of the "avenger of blood." The people are not to pity him but are to "put away the guilt of innocent blood in Israel" so that "it may go well with them." They are to leave the ancient landmarks in place. Again, a matter must be established "by the mouth of two or three witnesses." A false witness and the accused must stand before the Lord and the priests and judges, and if it is found out he has testified falsely, then it should be done to him as he intended to do to his brother, so that Israel will hear and fear and not commit such an evil act again. "An eye for an eye," etc. is repeated.
When they battle their enemies, though outnumbered, they are not to fear, because the Lord is with them. When they are about to enter battle, the priest must speak to the people and remind them not to fear because the Lord- who delivered them from Egypt- is with them and will fight for them and save them. The officers, too, are to make sure that all the people have dedicated their houses to the Lord so that they do not die in battle. Also, the men must eat of their own vineyard before battling and those betrothed to women but not married must go and be with their wives first. Also, the "fearful and fainthearted" are to return to their houses so that they do not influence others. They are to make captains of armies to lead the people. They are to first make an offer of peace with the people, to be made slaves, but if not, they are to besiege the city, and when the Lord gives it to them, they are to kill all the males but keep the women, children, and animals alive. The far-away cities they are to do this in; however, in Canaan, they are to "let nothing that breathes remain alive" but to "utterly destroy them," "lest they teach [Israel] to do according to all their abominations which they have done to their gods and [they] sin before the Lord [their] God." They are not to destroy the trees that can be used for food. However, the other ones they are to cut down to use for making "siege works."
Thoughts/Discussion Questions:
Keeping the land clean and justice for the innocent are very important to God.
The fear of the Lord is to depart from evil. We need to fear God!
It is interesting how Moses tells the people that God will give them true prophets, but when he recounts the Lord's own words, God had said he would give them a Prophet (Christ.)