Learning God

Deuteronomy

Remember to Love God

Summary  |  About  |  Why You Should Read it  |  Author  |  When Written |  Context  |  Timeline  |  Location  |  Outline  |  Observations  |  Resources


Summary

Deuteronomy serves as a series of speeches delivered by Moses to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land, summarizing their journey and reinforcing the laws given to them by God.  It covers the following topics:

  • Covenant Renewal
  • Recap of Israel’s Journey
  • Law and Commandments
  • Blessings and Curses
  • Moses’ Final Instructions
  • Call to Love and Obey God

The following table provides a summary of the structure and contents of the book of Deuteronomy.


About

Deuteronomy is the fifth and final book of the Torah (Hebrew), also known as the Pentateuch (Greek), written by Moses.  This collection is commonly referred to as “The Law”.  


Why You Should Read It

Deuteronomy is essential reading for Christians because it provides foundational teachings about God’s character, law, and the covenant relationship between God and His people. Here are key reasons why Christians should read Deuteronomy:

  1. Understanding God’s Character: Deuteronomy reveals God’s nature—His holiness, justice, love, mercy, and faithfulness. These attributes are foundational to understanding the entire biblical narrative and God’s relationship with humanity.
  2. Foundation for Christian Ethics: The moral and ethical teachings of Deuteronomy, including the Ten Commandments, are integral to Christian life. Jesus and the New Testament writers often referenced Deuteronomy to emphasize loving God, loving neighbors, and obeying God’s commands.
  3. Christ’s Teachings and Fulfillment: Deuteronomy is frequently quoted by Jesus, most notably during His temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), showing how He upheld and fulfilled the Law. It helps Christians see the continuity between the Old and New Testaments.
  4. Covenant Relationship: The book emphasizes the importance of covenant—a relationship based on love, commitment, and obedience. This mirrors the New Covenant in Christ, helping Christians understand the depth and responsibility of their relationship with God.
  5. Lessons from Israel’s History: Deuteronomy recounts Israel’s failures and successes, serving as a warning and encouragement for believers to remain faithful to God, learn from past mistakes, and trust in His promises.
  6. Call to Love and Obey: The central call of Deuteronomy to love God with all one’s heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5) is echoed by Jesus as the greatest commandment. It challenges Christians to a wholehearted devotion to God.

Reading Deuteronomy helps Christians grasp the continuity of God’s plan, deepen their understanding of the Old Testament’s relevance, and live out their faith with a greater sense of purpose and obedience to God.


Author

Despite all of the debate over this topic, there is a simple and clear answer to this question, assuming you believe Jesus is the Son of God.  Jesus said himself, the answer is Moses, when he said, “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luk 24:27 KJV).  It is generally accepted that Moses is the author of the first 5 books, known in Hebrew as the Torah and in Greek as the Pentateuch.   

There are those who argue against this.  The Documentary Hypothesis (Graf-Wellhausen Hypothesis) says that the Torah was compiled by later editors: J (Jehovahist, Yahwist); E (Elohist); D (Deuteronomic source); and, P (Priestly source). This hypothesis was created without any compelling historical, linguistic or textual evidence and has been shredded by Oswalt T. Allis, R.N. Whybray, E.J. Young, Umbertos Cassuto, R.K. Harrison, Kenneth A. Kitchen and others.

“Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?” – John 5:45-47


When Written

1446 – 1406 BC

This topic is hotly debated among the best Christian scholars because there is more than one way to interpret the chronology.  The issue is that most of the ways result in issues with one or more of the biblical statements regarding such dating.  What is presented here is our best understanding of the various chronologies that enable the logic and mathematics to align so that all biblical statements are true and accurately add up to the dates presented.  As such, the dating of the Exodus used by LearningGod.org assumes it took place in 1446 B.C. as shown in the timeline below.  The timeline shows from the birth of Abraham, which is shortly before the dating related verses begin.  The timeline reflects the 430 year period referred to Exodus 12:40 and the 400 year period of Genesis 15:13 and Acts 7:6.  It also shows the 480 year period after the Exodus until the building of the Temple referred to in 1st Kings 6:1.

Deuteronomy was written at the end of the wilderness wanderings before entering the promised land as described in the verse below.

“Take this Book of the Law, and put it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there as a witness against you;” – Deu 31:26


Context

Moses had been called out of his own personal exile to lead a family of slaves to freedom from a harsh empire.  Egypt was at the pinnacle of their power at this time and was ruler of the known world.  The family descended from Abraham and had grown exponentially during their roughly 400 years of captivity.  This family knew nothing but slavery and Moses was challenged with getting Pharaoh to free them.  Moses was the second in command in Egypt before fleeing into exile 40 years earlier.  He was familiar with the Egyptian might and knew he had a challenging task before him.  It was only by the power of God that they would be freed. 


Timeline

The timeline below shows from the birth of Abraham until the Temple.


Location

Deuteronomy was written before the Israelites entered Canaan around 1406, just before his death.  This took place in the area of the wilderness wanderings.


Outline

I.   Preamble (1:1-5)

II.  Historical Prologue (1:6;4:43)

III. Stipulations of the Covenant (4:44;26:19)

A.   The Great Commandment: The Demand for Absolute Allegiance (4:44;11:32)

1.  God’s covenant Lordship (4:44;5:33)

2.   The principle of consecration (ch. 6)

3.   The program for conquering Canaan (ch. 7)

4.   A call to commitment in the new land (ch. 8)

5.   The lesson of the broken tablets (9:1;10:11)

6.   Another call to commitment (10:12;11:32)

B.   Supplementary Requirements (chs. 12-26)

1.  Ceremonial consecration (12:1;16:17)

2.   Human leaders in God’s righteous kingdom (16:18;21:21)

3.   Sanctity of God’s kingdom (21:22;25:19)

4.   Confessions of God as Redeemer-King (ch. 26)

IV. Ratification; Curses and Blessings (chs. 27-30)

V.   Leadership Succession under the Covenant (chs. 31-34)

A.   Change of Leadership (31:1-29)

B.   Song of Moses (31:30;32:47)

C.   Moses’ Testamental Blessing on the Tribes (32:48;33:29)

D.   Death of Moses and Succession of Joshua (ch. 34)


Observations

  • Deuteronomy has been called:
    • The “Book of Remembrance.”
    • Moses’ “Upper Dessert Discourse.”
  • Deuteronomy covers a time frame of about one month.
  • The Israelites are camped in the Plains of Moab.
  • Deuteronomy consists of a series of farewell messages by Israel’s 120-year-old leader, Moses.
  • Just as the Law of Moses had been given to the generation of the exodus, it must now be repeated in giving it to the generation of the conquest.
    • Deuteronomy is not a second law but an adaptation and expansion of much of the original Law given on Mt. Sinai. This is done through three sermons of Moses:
      • The 1st sermon. 1:1 – 4:3
      • The 2nd sermon. 4:44 – 26:19
      • The 3rd sermon. 27 – 34
    • Two Important passages from Deuteronomy:
      • Deuteronomy 17:9-10 – Then Moses and the priests, the Levites, spoke to all Israel, saying, “Take heed and listen, O Israel: This day you have become the people of the LORD your God. Therefore you shall obey the voice of the LORD your God, and observe His commandments and His statutes which I command you today.”
      • Deuteronomy 34:10-12 – But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, in all the signs and wonders which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh, before all his servants, and in all his land, and by all that mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.

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