Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy, literally "second law," is so called because it entails a repetition of much of the content of Exodus,
Leviticus, and Numbers. Israel's history from Egypt to the end of the forty-year period of wandering is rehearsed;
laws and codes are repeated; and reminders of their responsibilities before God are given.

While the events recorded in Numbers spanned a period of nearly forty years, Deuteronomy covers only a few
weeks. The majority of its content is Moses' departing words for Israel; the closing section records his death and
replacement by Joshua.

The audience for Moses' final sermons was made up of men and women who were but youths when Israel was
brought up out of Egypt. They witnessed the rebellion of their parents, which led to the wilderness wanderings
and, ultimately, the death of that entire generation. Many of the laws and ordinances which were delivered to
their parents were now being repeated to them in preparation for their inheriting the promised land. Now,
however, there is greater emphasis placed upon life in Canaan--laws that would impact society, homes, and
relationships that would be established after the promised land was possessed.

The Message of Deuteronomy

The prevailing thought in Deuteronomy is obedience; the key words, "remember" and "forget not." The children of
Israel were encouraged to "remember" or "forget not" more than twenty times in this book. They were to
remember that they once were slaves in Egypt (5:15; 15:5; 16:2; 24:18), that the Lord delivered them from there
(5:15; 15:5; 16:2; 24:18), that he was mighty in destroying the Egyptians (7:18), that God led and provided for
them while they journeyed in the wilderness (8:2), that the Lord was responsibility for their successes and
victories (8:18), that they and their parents had rebelled against God (9:7), and that God punished those who
disregarded his laws (24:9). These reminders were designed to promote awareness and faithfulness in this
second generation of Israelites during and beyond their quest of Canaan. By being reminded of their
hopelessness, God's faithfulness, and the plight of the former generation, this generation was being motivated to
do what was necessary to remain in God's favor.

It is affirmed throughout this book that God blesses those who obey him and punishes those who disobey. Israel's
national survival and success was contingent upon their following Jehovah, just as it has always been that a
person's spiritual survival and prosperity depends upon obeying Jehovah. The lessons God's people (Israel)
needed to learn from Moses are the same God's people (the church) need to learn today: "Hearken unto the
statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live…Ye shall not add unto the
word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the
Lord your God which I command you (4:1-2)…The Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord
our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. And it shall be our
righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as he hath commanded us
(6:24-25)."

The Lord promised that Abraham's descendents would become a great nation, inherit a land for their own, and
bring man's savior into the world; God would ensure that each would be accomplished, but beyond that, Israel's
prosperity and life would be determined by the faithfulness of its citizens. In so teaching, Deuteronomy refutes
some of the main tenets of dispensational premillenialism. Especially chapters 4, 28, and 29 clearly demonstrate
that Israel's unfaithfulness would result in her being cut off from God and dispossessed of her land. Partial
judgment for her disobedience recurred throughout Old Testament history; finally, in the year 70 A. D., as foretold
here by Moses, later by the prophets, and finally by Jesus and the apostles (cf. Matt. 24:1-35), God once and for
all removed fleshly, national Israel from his fellowship and any special covenant relationship.

Christ in Deuteronomy

Jesus and his church are found on every page of Deuteronomy. Whether law, prophecy, or poetry, all of the
scriptures were Christ-centered (cf. Luke 24:44; Acts 3:24). The clearest prophecy of Christ and his church is
found in Deuteronomy 18:15-19. There, God promised to raise up a prophet who would be antitypical with respect
to the person and work of Moses. The prophet would be a descendant of Abraham ("of thy brethren" - v. 15, 18);
he would speak all of the words of God (v. 18); his message would be authoritative ("hearken" - v. 15, 19); and
all who refused to obey him would be punished (v. 19). Peter quoted these verses in an early gospel sermon to
establish the authority of Jesus and to motivate his fellow-Israelites to follow him (Acts 3:22-26).

Deuteronomy ends with the death of Moses and the children of Israel positioned on the east side of the Jordan
River. This sets the stage for Joshua to lead the second generation of Israelites into their promised land, which we
will consider next week.