Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Deuteronomy 30:15-20
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Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Hebrew Interlinear Bible, WLCv, WLC5, CHES, AV.
- The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Hebrew text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
- Devarim 30: Massoretic, Hebrew, Aramaic, JPS.
Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
- Navigating the Bible: Text/Rabbinic commentary and Divrei Torah.
- Chapter XLIV, The First Apology of Justin Martyr. (c 150)
- IV.XVI.4, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
- Chapter X, Exhortation to the Greeks, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- V.11, V.14, VI.6, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- IV.15, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 210)
- Chapter XIV, On Monogamy, Tertullian (c. 215)
- III.I.6, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen. (c.225)
- XII.33, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247)
- Rashi's Commentary, c. 1075. chabad.org.
- From the Geneva Notes.
- From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
- From Wesley's Notes.
- From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
Contemporary References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
- Commentary, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Cameron B. R. Howard, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2017.
  - "For a man who complains about being "slow of speech and slow of tongue" (Exod 4:10), Moses is actually a gifted orator, if this passage is any indication."
- "My Night on the Mountain," Edwina Gateley, Journey with Jesus, 2017.
  - "When I read Deuteronomy 30:15-20 for this week in my Jerusalem Bible, just three words in particular caught my immediate attention: 'Obey His voice.'"
- "Choose Life," Karoline Lewis, Dear Working Preacher, 2017.
- "Here and now the choice is made," Robert Warren, Prospect, 2017.
- The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2017.
- Commentary, Deuteronomy 30:15-20 | Marissa Coblentz | A Plain Account, 2017
  - "The call to choose life comes right on the heels of this list of condemned actions that are relatively insignificant."
- Commentary, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Terence E. Fretheim, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2016.
  - "This Pentecost text has commonly been considered the conclusion to the farewell speech of Moses to the people of Israel (Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20).."
- Choosing the Path of Life: Reflection on Deuteronomy, Anna Shirey, The Labyrinth Way, 2016.
- "Choosing Life: It All Costs," Janet Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2016.
  - "What does it mean to you in your life to 'choose life?' Can you think of a time when the choice was not easy? Can you recall a time when you made the wrong choice? How do you find yourself thinking about that today?"
- Commentary, Deuteronomy 30:9-14, Tyler Mayfield, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014.
  - "Itâ€™s time to make a choice."
- "The Politics of Choice," Timothy F. Simpson, Political Theology Today, 2014.
  - "Every generation of the community that follows, including our own, the text suggests, like the children of Israel on the banks of the Jordan, is going to have to choose."
- "Choose Life," John C. Holbert, Opening the Old Testament, 2014.
  - "It is in our mouths and in our hearts: YHWH loves us and chooses us for YHWH's purposes in the world!"
- "Say Yes, Choose Life," Dan Clendenin, Journey with Jesus, 2014.
- "Choose Life," Anne Howard, The Beatitudes Society, 2014.
- "Choosing Life," Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2014.
  - "When you hear the words 'choose life,' what comes to mind for you? What does it mean to choose life?"
- Commentary, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Brian C. Jones, Pentecost +16, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2013.
  - " Jesus states his call and demands in terms as uncompromising as Moses,' and those who would follow him must consider carefully the cost of discipleship. Today's gospel reading leaves no doubt that disciples must make a sharp break with their past, sell all, and do as the Lord commands. Grace is free, but it is not cheap."
- Bread for the World Commentary, Barbara K. Lundblad, 2013. (pdf.)
  - "Perhaps this is a day to preach about slaves who labored without pay and without any day to commemorate their harsh work."
- Commentary, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Carolyn J. Sharp, Pentecost +15, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2010.
  - "The majestic speech of Deuteronomy nears its conclusion in this stirring exhortation."
- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Studies on Old Testament texts from Series C, Ralph W. Klein, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
- The Danger of Deuteronomy, Reflections on Deuteronomy 30:15-20, John C. Holbert, Patheos, 2011.
- "Standing Still and Moving On," Torah Commentary by Rabbi Ismar Schorsch. BeliefNet.
  - "The very names of this week's Torah portions show that Israel's chief rabbis fail to understand their role as legal interpreters."
- Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Faith in the Old Testament: Pentateuch and Prophets for Pentecost, Mark Hillmer, Word & World Texts in Context, 1998.
  - "The failure of the deuteronomic reform to rouse the people to repentance and to restore an obedient faith to Israel points to the only real solution: God himself must become a faithful Israelite who can show Israel the way back to God."
- Parshah Nitzavim, text, commentary, stories, sermons & articles from Chassidic Masters and others, from Chabad Lubavitch.
- "Commentary on Deuteronomy 30:15-20: Sixth Sunday After Pentecost (Year A)," by Dennis Bratcher at the Christian Resource Institute.
  - "While God offers life, there is a sense in which we also create that life as we respond by choosing life. If we reject it, we have chosen death and by so doing then we create a death in the world that consumes us. To choose life is not only to accept life but also to create life; to reject life is not only to choose death but to create death in the world."
- Parshas Netzavim / Parshas Vayeilech, Divrei Torah from The Project Genesis Torah Study. Index to numerous Orthodox articles and studies on Deuteronomy 29:9 - 31:30.
Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
- Conder, Tim, "Curses & Blessings," The Christian Century, 2007.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Hillmer, Mark, "Faith in the Old Testament: Pentateuch and Prophets for Pentecost," Word & World, 1998.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- "Homiletical Helps," Concordia Journal, 2010. (Section on this text begins on page 281)
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Maxwell, David R., "Homiletical Helps on the LW Series C - Old Testament," Concordia Journal, 2007. (Section on this text begins on p. 309)
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Sermons:
- "L'Chaim, and Don't Mess It Up," Susan Sparks, Day 1, 2014.
- "Choose Life: Abortion and Controversies," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington - Sermons from Seattle.
With Children:
- "Moses' Last Days," "Wandering in the Wilderness," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
Drama:
- "Choices," Robin & Delwyn McKenzie, dramatix.
Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
Hymns and Music:
- Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
- Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Deuteronomy 30:20. The Cyber Hymnal.
Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
Study Links and Resources for the Book of Deuteronomy