Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy is the last of the five books of Moses. To me, it is a book of review and preview, calling the people to look backward, inward, and upward.
This painting offers a visual review of the journey recorded in the previous four books. You can see the stormy clouds of creation, the Egyptian columns on the left just beyond the mountains, the silhouette of Mount Sinai, the tabernacle and its offerings, the grave markers in the valley of wandering, the banners of the tribes, the Ark of the Covenant, and the glow surrounding Moses after he has spoken with God.
Moses stands before the people, recalling the spiritual events that shaped them and setting God’s laws clearly before them. He calls them to remember where they have been, to examine their hearts, and to look toward the God who has guided them.
The preview is of the blessings awaiting them in the Promised Land if they will obey God and trust Him with the consequences. Israel stands at the edge of a new beginning, carrying the lessons, failures, and mercies of the wilderness with them.
If you look back at the previous four paintings, you will see how I have brought symbols from each of them into this one. Together, those symbols tell the story of where the people have been and prepare them for where they are going.
In my mind, Moses is pointing toward the Promised Land.