Deuteronomy – Important Events, Characters and Doctrines

The Book of Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Torah, is presented as Moses’ farewell address to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. It reiterates the Law given at Sinai, provides additional laws, and emphasizes the importance of covenant faithfulness.

I. Introduction and Overview (Deuteronomy 1-3)

1. Historical Review and Reiteration of the Law (Deuteronomy 1-4)
   • Historical Review (Deuteronomy 1:1-46): Moses recounts the journey from Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab, including the appointment of judges and the sending of spies into Canaan (Deuteronomy 1:1-46).
   • God’s Judgment and Provision (Deuteronomy 2:1-23): Moses recounts Israel’s journey through the wilderness, their encounters with Edom, Moab, and Ammon, and the victories over Sihon and Og (Deuteronomy 2:1-23).
   • Summary of Laws and Covenant (Deuteronomy 4:1-43): Moses emphasizes the importance of obeying God’s laws and the consequences of disobedience, urging Israel to remember and teach these laws to future generations (Deuteronomy 4:1-43).

II. The Covenant and Laws (Deuteronomy 5-26)

1. The Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5)

   • Reaffirmation of the Covenant (Deuteronomy 5:1-33): Moses reiterates the Ten Commandments given at Sinai, stressing their centrality to the covenant relationship between God and Israel (Deuteronomy 5:1-33).

2. The Shema and Covenant Faithfulness (Deuteronomy 6)

   • The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:1-9): The command to love the Lord with all one’s heart, soul, and strength, known as the Shema, is emphasized as a foundational principle for Israelite faith and practice (Deuteronomy 6:4-5).
   • Teaching and Remembering the Law (Deuteronomy 6:6-9): Instructions are given on teaching the commandments to children and keeping them at the forefront of daily life (Deuteronomy 6:6-9).

3. Instructions for Living in the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 7-11)

   • Exhortations to Obedience (Deuteronomy 7:1-26): Moses warns against intermarriage with Canaanites and urges complete devotion to God, promising blessings for obedience and consequences for disobedience (Deuteronomy 7:1-26).
   • Remembrance of God’s Faithfulness (Deuteronomy 8:1-20): A reminder of God’s provision during the wilderness wanderings and a warning against forgetting God’s role in their prosperity (Deuteronomy 8:1-20).
   • Covenant Renewal and Obedience (Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22): Moses recounts Israel’s rebellion and God’s mercy, emphasizing the need for a circumcised heart and true worship (Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22).
   • Blessings and Curses (Deuteronomy 11:1-32): A call to love and obey God with promises of blessing for faithfulness and curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 11:1-32).

4. The Law and Worship Regulations (Deuteronomy 12-26)

   • Centralization of Worship (Deuteronomy 12:1-32): Instructions are given for worshiping only at the place God chooses, emphasizing purity and centralization of worship (Deuteronomy 12:1-32).
   • Regulations on Food and Sacrifices (Deuteronomy 14:1-21): Laws regarding clean and unclean animals and tithing are outlined to maintain ritual purity and ensure proper worship (Deuteronomy 14:1-21).
   • Prophets and Leaders (Deuteronomy 18:9-22): Guidelines for recognizing true prophets and the requirements for leadership, including the coming of a prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:9-22).
   • Social Justice and Ethical Conduct (Deuteronomy 15:1-16:17): Laws on the release of debts, care for the poor, and proper conduct in justice and community life are outlined (Deuteronomy 15:1-16:17).

III. Moses’ Final Addresses and Instructions (Deuteronomy 27-34)

1. Covenant Renunciation and Blessings (Deuteronomy 27-28)

   • Covenant Ceremony and Curses (Deuteronomy 27:1-26): Instructions for setting up stones with the Law written on them and pronouncing blessings and curses on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal (Deuteronomy 27:1-26).
   • Blessings for Obedience and Curses for Disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:1-68): Detailed promises of blessings for obedience and severe curses for disobedience, reinforcing the covenant relationship (Deuteronomy 28:1-68).

2. Moses’ Final Instructions and Blessings (Deuteronomy 29-30)

   • Renewal of the Covenant (Deuteronomy 29:1-29): A renewal of the covenant is made, emphasizing the importance of remaining faithful to God and the future consequences of unfaithfulness (Deuteronomy 29:1-29).
   • Call to Choose Life (Deuteronomy 30:1-20): Moses presents the choice between life and prosperity through obedience versus death and destruction through disobedience, urging Israel to choose life (Deuteronomy 30:1-20).

3. Moses’ Final Acts and Death (Deuteronomy 31-34)

   • Commissioning of Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:1-8): Moses commissions Joshua as his successor, assuring him of God’s presence and support as he leads Israel into the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 31:1-8).
   • Writing of the Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 31:9-30): Moses writes a song to serve as a witness against Israel’s future rebellion and provides it to the Levites to teach the people (Deuteronomy 31:9-30).
   • Moses’ Blessing and Death (Deuteronomy 33-34): Moses blesses the tribes of Israel, views the Promised Land from Mount Nebo, and dies there. The book concludes with a tribute to Moses’ leadership and his unique relationship with God (Deuteronomy 33:1-29; Deuteronomy 34:1-12).

Important Doctrines in Deuteronomy

1. Doctrine of Covenant Faithfulness

   • Centrality of Obedience: The book emphasizes the need for Israel to remain faithful to the covenant through obedience to God’s laws, with blessings promised for faithfulness and curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:1-68).

2. Doctrine of Holiness

   • Call to Holiness: Israel is called to live a holy life, reflecting God’s holiness, and to distinguish themselves from the surrounding nations through their laws and worship (Deuteronomy 7:6; Deuteronomy 14:2).

3. Doctrine of Centralized Worship

   • Place of Worship: The command to worship only at the place God chooses underscores the importance of centralizing worship to maintain purity and unity in worship practices (Deuteronomy 12:5-14).

4. Doctrine of Social Justice and Ethics

   • Fairness and Compassion: Laws are provided to promote social justice, ethical conduct, and care for the vulnerable, including provisions for the poor, debt relief, and fair treatment (Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Deuteronomy 16:19-20).

5. Doctrine of Prophetic Authority

   • True Prophets: Guidelines are given for recognizing true prophets and distinguishing them from false ones, emphasizing the importance of divine authority and truth in prophetic messages (Deuteronomy 18:15-22).

6. Doctrine of Choice and Responsibility

   • Choice of Life: The book stresses the importance of personal responsibility in choosing to follow God’s commands, presenting life and blessings as a reward for obedience (Deuteronomy 30:15-20).

Important Events and Characters

1. Moses

   • Leadership and Legacy: Moses is the central figure in Deuteronomy, serving as the leader who guides Israel through the wilderness and prepares them for life in the Promised Land. His final instructions and blessings are crucial for understanding his leadership and the transition to Joshua (Deuteronomy 34:5-12).

2. Joshua

   • Successor to Moses: Joshua is appointed by Moses as his successor to lead Israel into the Promised Land, marking the transition of leadership and the continuation of God’s plan for Israel (Deuteronomy 31:14-23).

The Book of Deuteronomy serves as a critical text for understanding the renewal of the covenant, the importance of faithfulness to God, and the practical implications of living out God’s laws in the context of a new land. This detailed overview is designed to guide B.Th. students in grasping the core themes and teachings of Deuteronomy.