The Book Of Deuteronomy
Someone asked me the other day while visiting if there were two ways of reading the Bible. I learned that, while it was so interesting to me, it was to say the least dull to the enquirer. Why should this be? Is there some special way of reading that makes the Book come alive? I really think so. First, I read the Bible and find it delightful, because by means of it I have been made wise unto salvation (2 Tim. 3:15). Second, I understand His plan. Third, the Bible teaches me how to Serve and succour in a world of need. The fifth book of Moses is called in the Hebrew Torah, “These be the words” (Deut. 1:1). They are of the utmost importance since they convey God’s mind to a new generation, and as then, the time spent to study this Book dear young people, will cause you to say, “The Bible to be true? How could I possibly disbelieve it and not delight in it?”
Deuteronomy
Key Word: Obedience. Key Verses (1:2, 3; 5:29).
The word “Deuteronomy” means “The second Law”; “Deutero”, second, and “nomos,” law, which is from the Greek. It is the fifth and last book of Moses containing not new laws, but the Laws given at Sinai 39 years before. There are reviewed, amplified and commented upon. These great messages are retrospective, practical, and prospective. With the exception of Joshua and Caleb all the adults who came out of Egypt, and had received the laws of God at Sinai, fell in the wilderness. Hence it was most imperative that the new generation should have the Law rehearsed, reviewed and emphasized to them. At the end of their long history of wandering, just one month before crossing over the Jordan river, these addresses were first delivered orally, and then written (1:3; 31:24-26).
As Leviticus is the book with the Priests in view, Numbers the book with the Levites in prominence, this Book of Deuteronomy is catholic or general and contains a divine treatise on obedience to the people of God. Again and again the words “obey” and “remember” are recorded for our admonition. These words at once are a call to remember the past, with a solemn duty for the present, and the key of the future. The word “remember” points back to the wilderness, and the word “obey” points to the land.
The Book of Deuteronomy has been the object of much hate and attack on the part of the Higher Critics. To the Lord Jesus it was a book much beloved, and used by our Lord three times in His temptation by the devil. Like David He had five pebbles when He encountered Goliath, — the Pentateuch, and like David, He brought the enemy down with one, Deuteronomy, and had four to spare.
As Literature it ranks with Genesis, Psalms, Isaiah--eloquent, moving and heart searching in the passionate plea for loyalty to Jehovah. Considered the most spiritual book; it records the first mention of the “children of Belial” (13:13). Here for the first time we meet with hanging on a tree (21:22, 23), and the predicition about a coming Prophet (18:15,19).
The First part of the book is Historical, the second part is Legislative and Biblical, and the third part Prophetical. Its beauty and thrill can only be discovered in reading it through at one sitting.
1. Historical
Looking Back (1:1-4,43)
A Forty-Year Review (1,2,3)
1. Disobedience (v.3); 2. Disbelief (v.22-28); 3, Rebellion (v.26); 4. Murmuring (vs. 27); 5. Fainting (v.28); 6. Presumption (v. 43); 7. Dying in the Wilderness (14).
B Forget Not (Ch. 4)
1. The Goodness of God (v.7); Extent (v.25); Excellency (6:10) - Cultural Land); (8:7 - A Treasure Land); (11:10,12 - A Land of Constant Care).
2. The Patience of God (v. 31).
3. The Faithfulness of God (2:7).
4. The Jealousy of God (4:24).
5. The Mercy God (4:31).
6. The Love of God (4:37).
7. The Indispensability of God (4:39. 7:9; 10:17-21).
2. Biblical
Looking Up (4:44 To Chapter 26)
1. Recital of the Law (5:1-21): completeness and finality of the Ten Commandments set forth, note the words, “No More”
2. Exposition of the Law (5:22-11: (a) Its source. (b) Nature. (c) Power. (d) Penalty.
3. Rules or Laws of conduct in Canaan (12-26) Review of moral, civil, and ceremonial laws. Religious Laws. Religious Laws (12:1 - 16, 17). Political Laws (16:18-22:20) Moral Laws - private and social Life (2126)
3. Prophetical
Looking Forward (27-34)
1. A Revelation of God’s Future Purposes regarding Israel:-
a. Counsel for the land (27)
b Consequence of obedience and disobedience (28).
c. Covenant of God (29,30).
d Closing events of Moses’ Life (31 - 34).
(1) Charge (31:1-29)
(2) Song (31:30-32:47).
(3) Final events (32:48 to the end).