Torah Study Questions

Eikev Because

Devarim (Deuteronomy) 7:12 - 11:25

Mark R. Ensign, Adot Adonai, Amarillo, Texas

Introductory questions -- Brief answers, not for extended discussion:

1. At what point in history does this parsha unfold?

2. Where does this parsha take place geographically? What are the setting and environment?

3. Who are the primary actors in the parsha and what role or roles does each play? What is the significance of each role? Who are the secondary actors and what roles do they play? What is the significance of their roles?

4. What is the overall theme of this parsha? What are the subdivisions, if any?

Parsha Specific Questions -- for extended discussion:

Chapter 7

What was Bnei Yisrael to do in order to receive the reward from YHVH? What would YHVH do regarding the covenant with the forefathers? What three covenants was Moshe referring to? What was the status of each of these covenants at that time? What is the status of each of these covenants at this time? What does this teach us about the nature and character of YHVH? What must be the logical outcome and conclusion to the position that churchmen take today that G-d has broken these covenants and replace them with a new covenant?

List the specific things that Moshe said YHVH will do for Bnei Yisrael as a reward for their obedience? What objection would the people make to this last instruction? What did Moshe instruct them not to do and to do? What were the: a) 'wonders'; b) 'strong hand'; c) 'outstretched arm' - that Bnei Yisrael witnessed in Egypt? What did Moshe prophesy YHVH would do? Why would YHVH not allow Bnei Yisrael to annihilate their enemies quickly? What did Moshe instruct Bnei Yisrael to do to the idols of the Canaanites and why? Define abomination as it is used in this Scripture passage. Which of the abominations listed in the Torah study from other passages of Scripture particularly impacted your spirit? What did Moshe prophesy in his last message to Bnei Yisrael in Sefer Devarim? Which of the abominations listed in the Torah study have you observed in the religious world today?

Chapter 8

What portion of the instructions that Moshe gave to Bnei Yisrael were they to perform and what did this prevent them from doing? What was the purpose for Bnei Yisrael to keep the entire set of instructions by performing them? What things did YHVH learn from the forty years of afflicting and testing Bnei Yisrael in the wilderness? Why did he let Bnei Yisrael hunger and then feed them with manna? In addition to Bnei Yisrael, for whom did they learn the lessons of the wilderness and how do you know that?

What admonition did Moshe give to Bnei Yisrael regarding their relationship with YHVH? What did Moshe understand would cause Bnei Yisrael to forget YHVH and fail to keep his instructions? What did Moshe say Bnei Yisrael would claim was the source of all their blessings? What four steps did Moshe warn Bnei Yisrael not to take or they would perish? In what two stages was this fulfilled in the lives of Bnei Yisrael after they entered Eretz Yisrael?

Chapter 9

What tasks faced Bnei Yisrael when they crossed the Yarden River? Who would go before Bnei Yisrael and what would he do? What did Moshe warn Bnei Yisrael not to say after YHVH gave them the victory? What two reasons does Moshe give for the victory YHVH will give to Bnei Yisrael? What does Moshe recount in the remainder of this chapter? For how long did Moshe intercede with YHVH after Bnei Yisrael refused to enter and possess Eretz Yisrael? What seven reasons did he present YHVH for why Bnei Yisrael should not be destroyed?

Chapter 10

Why did Moshe need to carve two stone tablets, ascend the mountain to YHVH, build and bring a wooden ark and what incident had precipitated this? Where were these two stone tablets placed after he came down from the mountain? Why were the Levi'im elevated and set apart to serve YHVH in the Mishkan? What question does Moshe ask and what answer did he give back that every human being has asked of himself? Everything is within the power of the Almighty except what? What are the two levels of our fear of YHVH? What is the principal pleasure and desire of the Creator? What is the role of man in the flow of YHVH's loving-kindness to the world? What other emotion will a proper fear of YHVH be combined with? What will a proper balance of respect for and love of YHVH provide?

What do Christian translators of the Bible into English allow to interfere with their translations? What two Hebrew words are commonly mistranslated and what English word is often substituted for the correct translation? What is the implication of this mistranslation?

How is YHVH described in v. 17? Who does Moshe tell Bnei Yisrael that they are to love and why? Regarding YHVH, what four things did Moshe tell Bnei Yisrael that they were to do? How did Moshe describe the numerical growth of Bnei Yisrael?

Chapter 11

What two things did Moshe instruct Bnei Yisrael to do in the opening lines of this chapter? Who did Moshe say had seen the great works of YHVH and who had not seen them and did not know his characteristics? For what three reasons did Moshe tell Bnei Yisrael to observe the entire commandment? How did Moshe distinguish between Egypt and Eretz Yisrael? What were the preconditions for receiving the blessing beginning in v. 14? What were the preconditions for the wrath of YHVH to blaze against Bnei Yisrael? What would be the consequences of these actions? Where was the word of YHVH through Moshe to be placed? At what four times of each day were Bnei Yisrael to teach their children the words of YHVH? What is the key word in the last few verses that close out the parsha and why is it significant? What were the conditions upon which the reward would be based? Who would stand up against Bnei Yisrael and why?

Closing Questions:

What were G-d's purposes and objectives in preserving this portion of the Scriptures to this day? What benefit do these Scriptures have for Torah observant believers today?

What other insights has the Ruach HaKodesh given you in your study of this portion that you would like to share with the group?

What questions from this portion have you had that have not been answered by the group study?

For personal introspection -- What impact do you think the study of the words from your Father in this portion will have on your life? How do you plan to implement his instructions in this parsha in your life?

Silently ask the Ruach HaKodesh to implant these words of our Father like seeds, to nurture their growth in your heart, and to enable you to respond fully as they do.