Deuteronomy
Author
Moses was most likely the author of Chapters 1-33. Another writer, possibly Joshua, must have added chapter 34, which records Moses’ death.
Date
Unknown. Moses must have written the book shortly after giving this final address to the people.
Audience and Purpose
As the time in the wilderness (and Moses’ life) came to an end, and the people prepared themselves to go into the Promised Land, Moses stood before the whole congregation of Israel, again, to declare the law of God to them, and to charge them to remain faithful to everything God has commanded.
Major Themes
- Testimony. Remembering what God has done in the past, gives us hope of what He will do in the future.
- Blessings through Obedience. God has promised so much good to His people, but over and over again Moses tells the people that a failure to obey and remain faithful to Him will nullify those blessings.
- Multi-Generational Covenant. This generation of God’s people are one link in the chain to both the history and future of God’s promise to the world.
Key Scriptures
- Deuteronomy 6:4-9 — “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
- Deuteronomy 30:19 — “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life…”
Gospel Outline
- Deuteronomy 1:1-5 — Introduction
- Deuteronomy 1:6-4:43 — Moses’ First Speech Recapping History
- Deuteronomy 4:44-26:19 — Moses’ Second Speech
- Deuteronomy 4:44-11:32 — General Requirements of the Covenant
- Deuteronomy 12:1-26:19 — Specific Requirements of the Covenant
- Deuteronomy 27:1-30:20 — Moses’ Third Speech
- Deuteronomy 27:1-28:68 — Blessings and Curses
- Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20 — Moses’ Final Charge
- Deuteronomy 31:1-34:12 — Joshua Commissioned to Replace Moses
Gospel Summary
As Moses’ ministry comes to a close, it is fitting that he takes time to remember all that God has done in the past and through his own leadership, to instruct the people on their way into the future with the next generation of leaders. God’s promise of a Savior and complete restoration of all things back to the Garden of Eden cannot be fulfilled in one man or in one generation. Moses, therefore, as he finished his life, commissions the next generation to take their place as faithful followers of God in their own lives, and to pass that faithfulness on to the next generation. He also prophesies that God will, one day, raise up another like Him, to lead Israel (Leviticus 18:15-22).
We understand that all of the promises of God find their fulfillment in Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:20), yet even in our own generation, the global realization of God’s promise is incomplete. We too must look to the past, and remember the testimonies of all God has done in history and in our lives. We must continue, daily, to remain faithful to Him, and be diligent to pass our faith and hope on to the next generation. Moses’ charge at the end of Deuteronomy, should also remind us of our charge in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), to remain faithful and help others become faithful as well.
© Anthony Scott Ingram 2020. All Rights Reserved.
Photo by Carolyn V on Unsplash
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
Please note that I do get a small kickback from Amazon for any purchases made using the links on this post. Should you choose to purchase from them, I just want to say thank you for further supporting my work in ministry!