Introduction to the Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy is the final book that Moses wrote in the collection known as the Torah or the Books of the Law. It is the fifth book of what is called the Pentateuch (lit. "five scrolls"). The title "Deuteronomy" comes from Deuteronomy 17:18, which speaks of a "copy of the law" or a "second law." The Hebrew title is taken simply from the first words of the book, namely, elleh haddebarim, "these are the words."

Deuteronomy covers a span of a little over a month at the end of Israel's forty years of wandering. They are in the Plains of Moab just across the Jordan River and about to launch a series of military campaigns under the leadership of Joshua to take the Promised Land. Deuteronomy constitutes Moses' last words to the people of Israel.

The book can be neatly divided into three sermons. The first (1:1-4:43) being historical in nature, providing a summary of what God has done from Mt. Sinai, where they received the Ten Commandments, to Beth-Peor, which is in the Plains of Moab just across the Jordan River from the Promised Land. It is a chronicle of what should have taken 11 days taking 40 years because of their stubborn complaining and disobedience to the LORD. It was to be instructive for a new generation of Israel, whose parents all perished in the wilderness during the 40 years of wandering because of their rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea, where they refused to obey the LORD and take the Promised Land. The second (4:44-26:19) is legal in nature, reiterating what God expected of Israel once they entered the Promised Land of Canaan. It was a repetition and expansion of the Ten Commandments and the Books of Law, consisting of the ceremonial, civil and social regulations for the people of God. The third (27:1-34:12) is prophetic in nature, explaining what God will do in keeping with His covenant with Israel. There will be blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. Moses predicts both a great falling away of the nation as well as a gracious restoration by God.

Deuteronomy is a primary text for understanding the OT and the NT reflection on the Mosaic Law. Jesus cites Deut 6:4-5 when answering the expert in the Law as to the greatest commandment (Matt 22). Jesus answers Satan's three temptations (cf. Matthew 4) just from chapters 6 and 8 of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy is not merely a historical account, a legal document, and a prophetic word, it is also a very personal reflection and exposition by Moses. Moses' frustration and fatigue can be felt in the narrative, as well as his great disappointment in being kept from entering the Promised Land. Moses explains many things in this book, such as why Israel had to suffer thirst, hunger, and hardship in the wilderness. Moses explains both why God chose Israel and why God was giving them the land of Canaan as an inheritance. He also details evidence of the people's impatience, stubborness, and tendency to grumble, complain and sin. The long section on the Law repeats and expands on what was given on Mt. Sinai in Exodus and Leviticus. There is more attention in Deuteronomy than the other books to explain the reasons for the commands as well as the importance of obeying them.

In the final prophetic section, which details the covenant relationship between God and Israel, there is a foreshadowing of the New Covenant. Moses writes in Deuteronomy 29:4, "Yet to this day, the LORD has not given you a heart to know, nor eyes to see, nor ears to hear." God had not yet given His Spirit. But in Deuteronomy 30:6 we read, "the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live." This sounds very much like the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31:33-34. And this is what the Spirit would accomplish in everyone God would choose for faith.