Deuteronomy
The Greek title that we have retained from the Septuagint means “the second law” or the “law repeated”. However, this does not adequately describe the contents of this book. It would be a serious mistake to consider Deuteronomy a mere repetition of what has gone before. The Hebrew title derives from the first verse and means “words”. “These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red sea, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab” (Deut. 1:1).
Unlike Exodus or Numbers, which have a large historic content, Deuteronomy is almost entirely the words of Moses, which he rehearsed in the ears of the people before they entered the promised land. Whereas Leviticus is addressed to the priests, Deuteronomy is addressed to the people.
It was eleven days’ journey from Horeb, by the way of mount Seir, to Kadesh-barnea (Deut. 1:2), but now some forty years later, a new generation (with the exception of Joshua and Caleb) is about to enter the land. Moses begins in the first three chapters rehearsing a brief summary of God’s ways with them. What lessons He had taught them in the wilderness, not only of their own weakness, but also of the infinite holiness, patience, grace and love of Jehovah!
Chapter 5 begins: “And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them”. These words continue through to the end of chapter 28. Chapter 29 begins with the summary: “These are the words of the covenant, which the LORD commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb” (Deut. 29:1). Again we find the children of Israel saying “we will hear it, and do it” (Deut. 5:27), which brings forth the response from the One who knew their hearts, “O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!” (Deut. 5:29)
The instruction they received supposes that they are in the land, a land that Moses was not to enter himself, though he would see it with his eyes (ch. 34). They were to love the Lord their God and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments, and His commandments continually (Deut. 11:1). Rebellion would result in judgment. Once in the land, they were to worship in the place of the Lord’s choosing—“Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD” (Deut. 12:11).
Sadly, Deuteronomy also presupposes their failure. The book looks beyond their entry into the land; it looks prophetically to the day when, having failed, they would be driven out of the land and scattered amongst the nations, from whence the Lord would gather them again (ch. 30). The song of Moses in chapter 32 anticipates their apostasy, their restoration, and God’s judgment upon the nations.
It is interesting to note that Deuteronomy is the most frequently quoted book of the Pentateuch in the New Testament. Though the children of Israel did indeed fail, we see in beautiful contrast the One who always did the will of the Father. The three quotations used by our Saviour in answering the tempter are taken from this book (Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13).