This post is all about an introduction to Deuteronomy, giving you enough background information so that you can read it with confidence.
Deuteronomy, in English, means “second law.” This is a fitting title for this recounting of the law as Moses presents it to the new generation getting ready to enter the promised land. And since the book of Deuteronomy is Moses’ passionate retelling, we can see why the Hebrew title means “these are the words.” While these may have been the words of Moses to the Israelites, they hold just as much wisdom and importance for us today.
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Introduction to Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy is a passionate retelling of the law to the Israelites, after 40 years of living in the wilderness and experiencing God’s goodness and faithfulness. The book of Deuteronomy can be divided into three main sections, as Moses reminds the people of God’s love and their call to obedience in response to that love.
Remembering God’s Faithfulness
In the first section of Deuteronomy, Moses recounts God’s faithfulness to the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness. Although the Israelites were quick to rebel against God on many occasions, God remained faithful to them. Moses reminds the Israelites that they should be obedient to God in response to his love, power, and protection of them, which was demonstrated for all to see.
Although the generation of Israelites who had already received the law had all died, the second generation was rising up to take the promised land. They needed to hear God’s word for themselves. Each individual needed to receive God’s law and write it upon his own heart.
The first time that law was given, it was given to the priests so they could serve the people. Now, it was given to the people, because they were entering into a covenant with God.
Love of the Law as a response
This Begins the second section of Deuteronomy. The bulk of this book is made up of law. It restates much of the law that was already given, clarifying some parts after they had lived under it for 40 years. The law was a reminder to the Israelites that they needed to dedicate themselves to only serving and worshiping the One true God of Israel.
Finally, the third section of Deuteronomy records Joshua rising up to take Moses’ place in leading the Israelites into the promised land. Moses has one last recorded song of praise to God and a blessing on the tribes before his death is also recorded.
Key Themes in Deuteronomy
Throughout the book of Deuteronomy, a few things become very clear. The first is God’s love for his people. The second is our response to God’s love should be to obey Him. And third, the Israelites were called to purge all evil from the promised land.
The W’s of Deuteronomy
Who Wrote Deuteronomy
Moses wrote the majority of the book, and Joshua is most often credited fro writing Deuteronomy 34:5-12, which records Moses’ death.
What it’s about
The book of Deuteronomy is an explanation of the law given to a new generation. It emphasizes God’s love and faithfulness to the Israelites and calls them to obey the Lord their God as a response.
When it was written
Moses wrote Deuteronomy just before his death in 1405 B.C. these were the farewell speeches that Moses spoke a few weeks before his death. He then wrote them down and gave them to the priest and elders to teach the future generations.
Where the story takes place
The book of Deuteronomy occurs on the plains of Moab before the Israelites reach the promised land.
Why Deuteronomy is important to study
The Book of Deuteronomy demonstrates God’s love for His people and our call to obedience as a result. Multiple Old Testament Prophets quote the book of Deuteronomy, and Jesus Himself quotes from it on different occasions, showing the significance of this book.
How God demonstrates His Character to us through Deuteronomy
God is faithful, even when His people are not. The last book of the Torah does not hide the fact that the Israelites had already rejected God many times in their sin, yet God was always quick to forgive. Moses points out that God did not choose the Israelites because of how numerous they were, or how righteous they were. But God chose them because He loved them and kept the oath He swore to Abraham.
In the same way that God kept His promises with the Israelites, so He also keeps His promises with us. He loves you, and because of that love, your response should be to obey Him. We are called to delight in His law and teach it to our Children so that they also take delight in it.
The book of Deuteronomy shows us how to love God and love His creation.
Key Verses in Deuteronomy
The book of Deuteronomy contains so much wisdom that can be applied to our daily lives and walk with Christ. Here are a few of the key verses you will find.
Verses on God’s Faithfulness
Deuteronomy 4:7 is an amazing reminder that God is always near to us. This idea is carried through to the New Testament when James 4:8 tells us to draw near to God and He will draw near to us.
“What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?”
Deuteronomy 4:29-31 tells us that no matter how unfaithful we have been towards God if we truly repent and turn back to Him, He will remain faithful.
“But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey him. For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath.”
Deuteronomy 7:9 repeats the theme so common to this book: God is faithful. And we are called to keep His commands.
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”
Our response to His faithfulness
Perhaps the most famous passage in this book is Deuteronomy 6:4-5, known as the Shema. This passage was so important to the Israelites that they repeated it multiple times a day – a tradition that is still carried on.
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
Deuteronomy 10:12-13 once again lays out so clearly what is required of us as followers of Christ.
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?”
Deuteronomy 30:11-14 is a reminder that God gave His commands to everyone, and there is no one with an excuse to not follow His word.
“Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.”
In Deuteronomy you will find
A call to remember the past (Chapters 1-4)
Breaking down the 10 commandments (Chapters 5-7)
God’s faithfulness amidst Israel’s rebellion in the past (Chapters 8-11)
Israel’s call to live as a holy people (Chapters 12-15)
Instructions for leadership and order in society (Chapters 16-19)
Laws of warfare, murder, and family strife (Chapters 20-22)
Addressing miscellaneous laws (Chapters 23-26)
Blessings and curses in the promised land (Chapters 27-30)
The final chapters of Moses (Chapters 31-34)
Additional Resources
I love using Blue Letter Bible for Bible Book Introductions and Outlines! I also love The Israel Bible for cultural background information. How to Read the Bible For All It’s Worth is a great resource if you need help reading the different generes found in the Bible (Chapter 9 is applicable to most of the Torah). Old Testament Survey is a college textbook that may be too nerdy for most people, but I enjoy the in-depth look at every book of the Old Testament. (Note: this is a newer addition than the one I use).
This post was all about the Book of Numbers to help you understand the overarching theme as you read through the Numbers Bible study.
