01.05. Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy

Title: Deuteronomy comes from two Greek words meaning "second law," and is so called from the fact that it records the repetition of the laws given at Sinai.

Theme: Moses has fulfilled his mission. He has led Israel from Egypt to the borders of the Promised Land. Now that the time of his departure is at hand, he reviews before the new generation, in a series of discourses, Israel’s past history and upon this review he bases the warnings and exhortations that make Deuteronomy one great exhortatory sermon to Israel. He exhorts them to remember the Lord’s love toward them during the wilderness wanderings, in order that they may rest assured of His continued care of them when they enter Canaan. He admonishes them to observe the law in order that they might prosper. He reminds them of their past backslidings and rebellions, and warns them of the consequences of future disobedience. The message of Deuteronomy may be summed up in three exhortations: Remember! Obey! Take heed!

Author: Moses.

Scope: Two months on the plains of Moab, 1451 B. C.

CONTENTS We shall outline Deuteronomy according to the three exhortations mentioned in our theme

I. Remember! - Review of the Wanderings (Deuteronomy 1:1-46, Deuteronomy 2:1-37, Deuteronomy 3:1-29, Deuteronomy 4:1-49).

II. Obey! - Review of the Law (Deuteronomy 5:1-33, Deuteronomy 6:1-25, Deuteronomy 7:1-26, Deuteronomy 8:1-20, Deuteronomy 9:1-29, Deuteronomy 10:1-22, Deuteronomy 11:1-32, Deuteronomy 12:1-32, Deuteronomy 13:1-18, Deuteronomy 14:1-29, Deuteronomy 15:1-23, Deuteronomy 16:1-22, Deuteronomy 17:1-20, Deuteronomy 18:1-22, Deuteronomy 19:1-21, Deuteronomy 20:1-20, Deuteronomy 21:1-23, Deuteronomy 22:1-30, Deuteronomy 23:1-25, Deuteronomy 24:1-22, Deuteronomy 25:1-19, Deuteronomy 26:1-19, Deuteronomy 27:1-26).

III. Take Heed! - Prophecy of Israel’s Future (Deuteronomy 28:1-68, Deuteronomy 29:1-29, Deuteronomy 30:1-20, Deuteronomy 31:1-30, Deuteronomy 32:1-52, Deuteronomy 33:1-29, Deuteronomy 34:1-12).

I. Remember! - Review of Israel’s Wanderings (Deuteronomy 1:1-46, Deuteronomy 2:1-37, Deuteronomy 3:1-29, Deuteronomy 4:1-49)

Since the events recorded in the following chapters are simply a repetition for the most part of those given in Numbers, we shall not dwell on them. We may divide the section into two parts:

1. Moses reviews Israel’s wanderings (Deuteronomy 1:1-46, Deuteronomy 2:1-37, Deuteronomy 3:1-29), and 2. Makes that review a basis for a warning (Deuteronomy 4:1-49). Where do we find Israel at the beginning of this book (Deuteronomy 1:5)?

What prophecy had been partially fulfilled in Israel (Deuteronomy 1:10 and Genesis 15:5)? In what one instance was Moses’ prayer refused (Deuteronomy 3:25-28)?

What was to be Israel’s attitude toward the Word of GOD (Deuteronomy 4:2)?

What was the law to Israel (Deuteronomy 4:6)?

Concerning what days does Moses prophesy in Deuteronomy 4:25-30? To what book written by himself does Moses indirectly refer (Deuteronomy 4:32)?

II. Obey! - Review of the Law (Deuteronomy 5:1-33, Deuteronomy 6:1-25, Deuteronomy 7:1-26, Deuteronomy 8:1-20, Deuteronomy 9:1-29, Deuteronomy 10:1-22, Deuteronomy 11:1-32, Deuteronomy 12:1-32, Deuteronomy 13:1-18, Deuteronomy 14:1-29, Deuteronomy 15:1-23, Deuteronomy 16:1-22, Deuteronomy 17:1-20, Deuteronomy 18:1-22, Deuteronomy 19:1-21, Deuteronomy 20:1-20, Deuteronomy 21:1-23, Deuteronomy 22:1-30, Deuteronomy 23:1-25, Deuteronomy 24:1-22, Deuteronomy 25:1-19, Deuteronomy 26:1-19, Deuteronomy 27:1-26) 1. The Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5:1-33, Deuteronomy 6:1-25).

2. Warnings and exhortations (Deuteronomy 7:1-26, Deuteronomy 8:1-20, Deuteronomy 9:1-29, Deuteronomy 10:1-22, Deuteronomy 11:1-32, Deuteronomy 12:1-32).

3. False prophets (Deuteronomy 13:1-18).

4. Ceremonial laws (Deuteronomy 14:1-29, Deuteronomy 15:1-23, Deuteronomy 16:1-22).

5. A future king and a future Prophet (Deuteronomy 17:1-20, Deuteronomy 18:1-22).

6. Civil laws (Deuteronomy 19:1-21, Deuteronomy 20:1-20, Deuteronomy 21:1-23, Deuteronomy 22:1-30, Deuteronomy 23:1-25, Deuteronomy 24:1-22, Deuteronomy 25:1-19, Deuteronomy 26:1-19).

7. Blessings and cursings of the Law (Deuteronomy 27:1-26).

What was GOD’s earnest desire for His people (Deuteronomy 5:29)? Will it ever be realized (Ezekiel 36:26)?

What is the one great commandment of the Law (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)? Was Israel chosen because of their greatness or righteousness (Deuteronomy 7:7; Deuteronomy 9:4)? For what two reasons were they chosen (Deuteronomy 7:8)?

What was one of the purposes of GOD’s leading Israel through the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:2-5; Deuteronomy 8:16)?

What was all that GOD required of Israel (Deuteronomy 10:12)?

What was to be the difference between Israel’s conduct in the wilderness and that in the Land of Promise (Deuteronomy 12:8)? Where were sacrifices only to be offered (Deuteronomy 12:13-14)? Do miracles necessarily prove the genuineness of a prophet (Deuteronomy 13:1-2; 2 Thessalonians 2:9)?

What is the test (Deuteronomy 13:2; Matthew 7:15-23)?

What did Moses foresee (Deuteronomy 17:14-16; compare 1 Samuel 8:5; 1 Samuel 8:10-18)?

What great prophecy did Moses utter in Deuteronomy 18:15-19?

Note that the law of retribution in Deuteronomy 19:21 was given to be enforced by the judges and not by ordinary individuals. With what does the review of the Law end (Deuteronomy 27:26)?

What is our relation to it (Galatians 3:13)?

III. Take Heed! - Prophecies of Israel’s Future (Deuteronomy 28:1-68, Deuteronomy 29:1-29, Deuteronomy 30:1-20, Deuteronomy 31:1-30, Deuteronomy 32:1-52, Deuteronomy 33:1-29, Deuteronomy 34:1-12).

1. Blessings and cursings (Deuteronomy 28:1-68).

2. The Palestinian covenant (Deuteronomy 29:1-29, Deuteronomy 30:1-30).

3. Moses’ last counsels to the priests, Levites and Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:1-30).

4. The song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32:1-52).

5. The blessing of the tribes (Deuteronomy 33:1-29).

6. The death of Moses (Deuteronomy 34:1-12).

Deuteronomy 28:1-68, together with Leviticus 26:1-46, should be remembered as the two great prophetic chapters of the Pentateuch. Deuteronomy 28:1-14 would have been fulfilled if Israel had been obedient but they will find their ultimate fulfillment during the Millennium. Deuteronomy 28:14-36 were fulfilled in Israel’s apostasy under the Kings, which culminated in the Babylonian captivity (2 Chronicles 36:15-20). Deuteronomy 28:37-68 were fulfilled during the destruction of Jerusalem, 70 A. D. and the period following (Luke 21:20-24). Josephus, a Jewish general and historian who lived during those days, gives some vivid accounts of the terrible sufferings of the Jews at that time, which indicate how literally the foregoing verses were fulfi11ed. As a commentary on verse Deuteronomy 28:53, we cite the following incident taken from the history of the siege.

During the period of greatest famine in Jerusalem, a party of armed marauders were wandering through the streets in search of food. They smelled the odor of roasting flesh from a near-by house. Entering, they commanded the woman there to give them food. Whereupon, to their horror, she uncovered the roasted body of her infant! It will be plain to anyone who has some knowledge of the Jewish people how the prophecies of verses Deuteronomy 28:37-68 have been made history.

Deuteronomy 29:1-29 and Deuteronomy 30:1-20 record what is known as the Palestinian covenant; that is, an agreement between the Lord and Israel as to the conditions of their possessing Palestine. It should be carefully noted that there are two covenants which relate to Israel’s possession of the land. The first is the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 17:7-8). This covenant was unconditional; that is, Israel’s conduct would not effect its fulfillment. (See Jeremiah 31:35-37; Romans 11:26-29). But GOD saw that Israel would sin, so He put them under another covenant - the Palestinian. This covenant is conditional upon Israel’s obedience, and enables the Lord to punish them with temporary banishment from the land without casting them off forever. To use a crude illustration; the Abrahamic covenant was the inheritance laid up for an obedient Israel; the Palestinian covenant was the whip to bring Israel to that place of obedience. Dr. Scofield furnishes an excellent analysis of the last named covenant. It made provision for:

1. Israel’s dispersion for disobedience (Deuteronomy 30:1).

2. Future repentance of Israel (Deuteronomy 30:2).

3. The return of the Lord (Deuteronomy 30:3).

4. Restoration to Palestine (Deuteronomy 30:5).

5. National conversion (Deuteronomy 30:6).

6. Judgment of Israel’s oppressors (Deuteronomy 30:7).

7. National prosperity (Deuteronomy 30:9).

How often was the Law to be read to the people (Deuteronomy 31:10-13)?

What did the Lord warn Moses of (Deuteronomy 31:16)? In view of this, what was Moses to do (Deuteronomy 31:19-21)?

What did Moses know (Deuteronomy 31:29)? The song of Moses, contained in Deuteronomy 32:1-52, may be considered as a summary of the whole book of Deuteronomy. It may be summed up in the three words of our theme - remember, obey, heed. It was written in the form of a song so as to be more easily remembered by the people.

What is said concerning GOD’s character in Deuteronomy 32:4?

Israel’s character (verses Deuteronomy 32:5-6)?

What country did the Lord make the center of all nations (verse Deuteronomy 32:8)?

What is said concerning the Lord’s care of Israel (verses Deuteronomy 32:10-14)? Was Israel grateful (verses Deuteronomy 32:15-18)? Who was to provoke Israel to jealousy (verse Deuteronomy 32:21; cf. Romans 11:11)?

How would the Lord punish them (Deuteronomy 32:22-26)?

What would prevent the Lord from making a full end of them (verse Deuteronomy 32:27)?

What was His desire for them (verse Deuteronomy 32:29)? When will He return to them (verse Deuteronomy 32:36)? Who will finally rejoice with Israel (verse Deuteronomy 32:43)? When?

Moses’ blessing of the tribes should be compared with that of Jacob found in Genesis 49:1-33.

What is a probable reason why the location of Moses’ tomb was never revealed (cf. Numbers 21:8 and 2 Kings 18:4)?

What other scripture mentions his burial (Jude 1:9)?

What was his physical condition at death? What did Israel do at Moses’ death that they ought to have done during his lifetime (Deuteronomy 34:8)? Did ever a prophet arise in Israel like Moses (cf. verse Deuteronomy 34:10 and Deuteronomy 18:15)?