Jeffrey Kranz Believer, blogger, founder of the Overview Bible Project

Deuteronomy is about loving God and obeying God.

Finally: Israel is just across the Jordan River from the promised land of Canaan. Moses has led the young nation out of Egypt and on a 40-year journey through the wilderness, and they have just defeated several enemies before setting up camp here. Three of the 12 tribes are already settling the land east of the Jordan, and the whole nation is almost ready to enter the land God promised to their ancestor Abraham (back in the book of Genesis).

Almost ready.

The last time Israel was this close to the promised land, they doubted God’s promise and tried to go back to Egypt. Because of their unbelief, God banned that generation of Israelites from the land, causing them to wander in the wilderness for 40 years (see Numbers for the whole story). Now the old generation has died and the new nation is about to claim the land.

Before they do, Moses rallies the people to remind them of God’s law—and why they should obey Him. This is how the book of Deuteronomy gets its name: it’s the “second giving” of God’s law.

The theme of Deuteronomy comes down to a few verses in the thirtieth chapter:

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.” (Dt 30:19-20)

Deuteronomy reviews the Pentateuch (the other four books of Moses) and foreshadows the rest of the Old Testament’s story. In Deuteronomy, Moses reminds the people of God’s actions in the past:

- His promises to Abraham in Genesis
- His faithfulness in rescuing Israel in Exodus
- His holiness in Leviticus
- His punishment on the disobedient in Numbers

Moses also gives directions, blessings, and warnings, for the children of Israel in the future:

- The appointment of Joshua as the new leader
- God’s expectations of kings—which take effect when Saul becomes king in 1 Samuel
- Prosperity for obeying God—which happens during David’s and Solomon’s reigns (1 Kgs 8:56; 10:14-29)
- Exile for disobedience—which happens when the tribes are conquered by Assyria and Babylon (2 Kgs 17:6-23; 25:1-26)
- God’s promise to restore Israel—which happens when Cyrus allows the Jews to return from Babylon in Ezra.

Deuteronomy is primarily the retelling of Mosaic law, but its text is still important today. When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus cites Deuteronomy 6:5: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mk 12:30). Jesus quotes Deuteronomy three times when the devil tempts Him in the wilderness (Mt 4:1-11).

Deuteronomy focuses on loving God and keeping His commandments (Dt 11:1), which is exactly what Christ expects of us (Jn 14:15).

Quick outline of Deuteronmy

- Recap of Israel’s journey from Egypt (Dt 1-3)
- Recap of Israel’s relationship with God (Dt 4-10)
- How to love God and keep His commandments (Dt 11-26)
- Blessings, curses, and restoration (Dt 27-30)
- The death of Moses (Dt 31-34)

http://overviewbible.com/deuteronomy/

October 30 2013 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report