Deuteronomy
Moses' farewell sermons on the plains of Moab: remember, love the LORD, and choose life
Deuteronomy at a glance
Moses' farewell sermons on the plains of Moab: remember, love the LORD, and choose life
Deuteronomy is the fifth and final book of the Pentateuch, traditionally attributed to Moses and delivered as his farewell address on the plains of Moab, within sight of the promised land he himself will not enter. Its name means 'second law,' because Moses restates and applies the covenant of Sinai for the new generation about to cross the Jordan. Rather than new legislation, it is preached law - a series of sermons urging Israel to remember what God has done and to respond with wholehearted love and obedience.
Moses first reviews the journey from Horeb, including the failure at Kadesh that cost a generation the land. He then repeats the Ten Commandments and gives Israel its creed, the Shema: the LORD our God is one LORD, to be loved with all the heart, soul, and might. Chapters of practical law follow - worship, justice, kings, prophets, warfare, generosity to the poor - before the covenant is renewed with blessings for obedience and fearsome curses for rebellion. The book closes with Joshua commissioned, Moses' song and blessing, and Moses' death on Mount Nebo overlooking Canaan.
Deuteronomy matters as the theological heartbeat of the Old Testament, quoted constantly by the prophets and by Jesus - who answered every temptation in the wilderness from this book. Its message endures: love the LORD your God completely, teach your children diligently, and choose life.
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
Deuteronomy 6:4 King James Version
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How Deuteronomy unfolds
7 sections- 1Looking back: the journey reviewed (ch. 1-4)Moses recounts the road from Horeb to Moab - the spies, the wandering, the victories east of the Jordan - and pleads with Israel to hold fast to the God who spoke from the fire.
- 2The commandments and the Shema (ch. 5-11)Moses repeats the Ten Commandments and gives Israel its creed - hear, O Israel - calling the nation to love God wholly, teach their children, and never forget him in prosperity.
- 3Laws for life in the land (ch. 12-16)Israel must worship at the place God chooses, shun idolatry, keep the food laws and tithes, release debts in the seventh year, and celebrate the annual feasts.
- 4Leaders and justice (ch. 16-21)Standards are set for judges, kings, priests, and the prophet like Moses whom God will raise up, along with cities of refuge and rules for warfare.
- 5Community life (ch. 21-26)Detailed laws govern family, neighbourliness, honest weights, and care for the vulnerable, closing with the firstfruits confession of God's saving deeds.
- 6Covenant blessings and curses (ch. 27-30)From Ebal and Gerizim the covenant is renewed: blessing for obedience, curses and exile for rebellion, yet with promised restoration - therefore choose life.
- 7The death of Moses (ch. 31-34)Moses commissions Joshua, teaches Israel a witness song, blesses the tribes, views the land from Mount Nebo, and dies - a prophet the LORD knew face to face.
People to know
4 figures- MosesThe aged lawgiver preaching his farewell sermons, who views the promised land from Nebo but dies outside it.
- JoshuaMoses' successor, publicly commissioned and charged to be strong and of a good courage as he leads Israel in.
- The new generation of IsraelThe children of the exodus, standing on the plains of Moab to hear the covenant renewed before crossing the Jordan.
- CalebThe faithful spy of Kadesh, remembered in Moses' review as one who wholly followed the LORD.
Words worth carrying with you
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
Deuteronomy 6:4 · KJV
And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Deuteronomy 6:5 · KJV
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Deuteronomy 31:6 · KJV
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