From Brigham Young University's Maxwell Institute, this is the Maxwell Institute podcast, Faith Illuminating Scholarship.

In 2026, we are releasing a series called Old Testament Reflections. Each week, a scholar offers a short reflection on the Come Follow Me reading.

Today's piece, The Farewell of Moses.

Reflections on Deuteronomy, Chapter 6 through 8, 15, 18, 29 through 30, and 34

is written and read by Andrew Reed.

The travails of Israel culminate in Deuteronomy, the fifth and final book of Moses.

The book records his last instructions to the children of God's covenant, which emerge over the course of three sermons,

chapters 1 through 4, 4 through 28, and 28 through 30.

The book also marks the end of Moses' mortal journey with his people.

The story of Moses in Deuteronomy is an important contribution to our understanding of how God works through prophetic figures to lead his community.

We can easily imagine that those who heard Moses' instruction at the time may have felt challenged to make sense of divine revelation,

the prophetic interpretation they received, and their personal responsibility placed upon them within

their covenant with God. Modern readers may feel some of those same things. A willingness to

follow prophetic guidance is not always comfortable, and demands great faith. Fulfilling our covenantal responsibilities

towards God and one another opens up greater access to God and his blessings and protection,

a fact evidenced throughout Deuteronomy. Moses ended his first sermon by reminding his listeners

of the promises given to earlier generations, which would be, for

them, fulfilled in the very near future.

Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you,

for to do them that ye may live and go in and possess the land which the Lord God

of your fathers giveth you, Deuteronomy 4.1.

Moses connected his hearers to their forebearers' promises, received from God and helped

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