提要
離死期愈近，摩西對他親愛的同胞遵行生命之道的呼籲也就愈強烈、緊迫。他預見以色列背道的可怕結果而對他們警告不已。這是一個嚴肅的時刻，摩西在摩押平原要求所有以色列人（29：10~11），不只是長老發誓效忠上帝，重新確認他們原先在何烈山與上帝所立的約。這個重要的決定牽涉到全以色列國，其結果甚至將影響到他們的後代子孫（29：15），因為上帝將永遠信守祂對亞伯拉罕的應許。
上帝與以色列人立約，很明顯的是一個恩惠的救贖行動。事實上，正如摩西提醒以色列人的，那是基於上帝將他們從埃及的奴役中拯救出來，也是基於上帝在曠野中對他們的保護和供應。雖然他們在這些經歷中一再看見上帝奇妙的大能，但他們仍然不明白上帝的道路。以色列人的剛硬和盲目使得他們後來不承認來到他們當中的彌賽亞（賽6：9~10；太13：14）。
摩西也再一次警告他們勿犯拜偶像的大罪，他形容那是足以毀滅他們的毒根（29：18；參來12：15）。以色列人要明白，摩西所說的那些咒詛是會成真的；摩西警告犯罪之人不可自欺、驕傲，以為自己還有平安（29：19），那平安其實不會長久，因為上帝是忌邪的上帝，絕不會在審判中寬宥背叛的人。
摩西告訴以色列人，他們有責任持守上帝所選擇啟示他們的事，凡上帝透過律法所作的啟示和交付摩西的教訓，都包括在內。不過，奧祕的事是屬於耶和華的。隨著新約的來到，今天的信徒比舊約時代的信徒得到更多的啟示，包括摩西所說的那些「隱祕」（29：29）的事。上帝透過耶穌基督對我們作了更完全的啟示，而我們在上帝面前的責任也就更大。
摩西預言他所宣告的咒詛將會臨到以色列國，他們將被趕散到萬國中，不過，有一天他們也會再回到這塊土地，全心歸向他們的主。摩西清楚的指出，以色列人的屬靈光景將會有徹底的改變。上帝會親自在他們內心做更新的工作。雖然以色列人不都忠於上帝，但上帝救贖人類的計畫將不會被阻梗。必有一最終的復興（以色列人從被擄的巴比倫回歸就是預表這個復興）來到，屆時，上帝的選民──猶太人忠信的餘民和外邦人的餘民──將從各地各方被召回基督榮耀的國度裡（可13：26~27）。
摩西呼籲所有以色列人慎作決定，遵守上帝的命令。他生動的解釋說，這並不是一件困難或難以企及的事（30：11~14）。在他們面前有兩個選擇：「生與福」、「死與禍」（30：15）。摩西將二者解釋得很清楚，並強烈的驅策他們選擇「生命」，使他們得以「存活」。但摩西也不能強迫他們，他們有選擇的自由。今天，這兩個選擇依然清楚的擺在我們面前，上帝要將生命賞賜給所有接受的人。這個生命在於愛上帝、順服祂的聲音、專心靠祂（30：20）。在耶穌裡的生命是永恆、蒙福的生命。願人人都選擇生命！（約3：36；6：35~40）。
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Overview
As Moses was nearing his time of death, his appeal for his beloved people to follow the way of life became stronger and more urgent; he foresaw the fearful consequences of apostasy and could not warn them enough. It was now time for Israel’s solemn oath of allegiance to God in the renewal of the covenant, which had been orighinally, made at Mount Horeb. Here, in the plains of Moab, Moses was asking all Israel (29:10-11), not just the elders, to ratify the covenant. It was a very important decision in which tae whole nation was to be involved, since it would affect even their future generations was to be involve, since it would affect even their future generations (29:15), for God would be ever faithful to His promise to Abraham.
It is evident that the establishment of God’s covenant with Israel was a gracious act of redemptive favor. In fact, as Moses reminded Israel, it was based upon God’s redemptive act of delivering Israel from bondage in Egypt, as well as on His providence, protection and provision for Israel while in the wilderness. Even though during this time they had seen the miraculous power of God over and over again, they still did not understand the ways of God. This same hardness of heart and blindness later caused them not to recognize the Messiah when He came to them (Isa.6:9-10; Matt.13:14).
Once again, Moses warned against the great temptation of idolatry which he described as a bitter, poisonous root that would ruin them (29:18; cf. Heb.12:15). They were to understand that the curses would indeed be a reality, so Moses warned them about self-deception and becoming proud while living in sin. They might claim to have peace (29:19) but this would not be lasting, for God is a jealous God and would not spare the apostate in His judgments.
Moses explained to Israel that they were responsible for the things God had chosen to reveal to them, such as His revelation through the Law and teachings given to Moses. Secret and mysterious things, however, belong to God. With the ushering in of the New Covenant, believers today have had much more revealed to them than in the Old Covenant, such as what Moses spoke of as those “secret things” (29:29). We now have seen and experienced the fuller revelation of God through Jesus Christ. With this knowledge, however, we are even more responsible before God.
Moses prophesized that the curses he had pronounced would come upon Israel and that they would become scattered throughout the earth, yet they would one day be restored to their land when they turn to the Lord with all their hearts. A radical change in the spiritual condition of Israel is clearly indicated. God Himself would do an inner work of renewal in their hearts. Though Israel as a whole was not faithful to God, His redemptive plain for mankind will not be thwarted. There will indeed be an ultimate restoration (which was pictured in Israel’s return from exile in Babylon) wherein God’s elect, the faithful remnant of Jews together with the remnant of the Gentiles, will be gathered from all parts of the earth and restored to the covenant Lord in Christ’s glorious Kingdom (see Mark 13:12-17).
Moses called upon all Israel to make a decision regarding the covenant and keep the commands of God. He graphically explained that this was not something too hard or out of reach (30:11-14). They had two possibilities set before them: “life and good”, or “death and evil” (30:15). Moses made the alternatives clear and strongly urged them to “choose Life” that they may “live”, but they should not be forced; they were given free choice. Still today, the alternatives are made clear and God is offering life to all who will but accept it. “Life” consists in loving God, obeying His voice, and clinging to Him (30:20). Life in Jesus Christ is blessed and eternal. Oh, that all would choose life! (John 3:36; 6:35-40).
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