Project Description

2013/11

A Look at the Book: Deuteronomy

Standing on the far side of Jordan, on the verge of the land of promise, Moses addresses Israel, the flock of God, for the final time. These addresses and exhortations make up almost the entire book. The name Deuteronomy is taken from two Greek words meaning ‘a second law’, reminding us that the law was among the matters rehearsed by Moses at that time. The introductory statement, “These be the words,” (1:1), forms the basis of the Hebrew title of the book.

 

STRUCTURE
If we were to suggest adding a title of our own as a summary of the contents of Deuteronomy, that title would be ‘The Land and the Book’.

The Land and the Book referred to are both unique. The Land of Israel and the Book of the Law can neither of them exist without the Lord. With this in mind let us note the three parts of Deuteronomy:

1. THE LAND, chapters 1-11.

2. THE LAW, chapters 12-30.

3. THE LORD, chapters 31-34.

The Book is the preparation for the entrance to the Land, which the Lord had given them.
Israel is a unique people, 4:6-8. Deuteronomy especially highlights this important fact. Chapter four shows these singular characteristics of the nation: a unique future v. 30, 31; a unique history v. 32; a unique salvation v. 34; and a unique revelation v. 33,35,36.

Israel’s past and future, her deliverance and her Divine communication all relate to the land (4:1), and are outlined or promised in the book (4:8), and as such will eventually be honoured by the Lord (4:7).

AUTHORSHIP
That the hand of Moses gave Deuteronomy as the Holy Ghost moved him need never be in doubt. The internal evidence is so indisputable as to make further enquiry unnecessary. Look, for example, at the words which commence the book: “These be the words which Moses spake…” Chapter 4:44,45 reads, “And this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel: These are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments which Moses spake.” References such as these are far too numerous to mention. The New Testament too, is explicit.  Romans 3:1, 2 describes the origin of the Hebrew Scriptures. If Deuteronomy was only an imposture, produced by a later hand, by one who ingeniously but fraudulently devised the whole history and crowned his masterpiece of deception by passing it off as the work of another, that is, a ‘Moses’ – the blasphemous assertion of some ‘modern Christians’ – then may we ask what special advantage or privilege would the Jew have in being deluded by a counterfeit?

In Romans 10:5-8 Paul goes on to affirm that Moses wrote the words, (describeth = to write, Greek) and quotes Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, cited Deuteronomy 18:15 using the words “Moses TRULY said…” (emphasis mine, Acts 3:22). The Lord Jesus, assailed by the real author of the infamous higher criticism, the first ranked denier of all scripture, scored a victory over Satan by quoting from Deuteronomy three times, compare Matthew 4:4-10 with Deuteronomy 6:13,16; 8:3. In Mark 10:3, 5, speaking of Deuteronomy 24:1, He said this was what Moses commanded and WROTE. Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son of God, said Moses wrote Deuteronomy! Who is that man, blown up by an egregious conceit, who will confidently deny this and make himself a superior authority to the only Head of the Church?

CONTENTS  
Chapters 1-4 consist of Recollections of the way. Moses rehearses the past. Then come Reasons for obedience in chapters 5-11. The land in terms of its Preparation 6:10, 11; Plentifulness 8:7-10; Preservation 11:9-12; and Possession 11:23-25, is described in this section. It is apparent that God has a law for His people in the land. This law will have respect to worship as well as to obedience and character. Chapters 12-27 discuss the Requirements of the law. Here occurs for the first time in the Book the requirement that the worship of the people be in “the place which the Lord your God shall choose.”

Found in chapter 12 six times and in the rest of the book a further 15 times for emphasis, it is intended that God’s people are to abandon the self will and self sufficiency they often showed in the wilderness. Men are not to do that which is right in their own eyes – but rather that which is right in the eyes of the Lord, v.12 cf. v.25, 28. Three times again in chapter 12 the command occurs “Take heed to thyself” – to do with Sacrifice to the Lord, the Servant of the Lord, and Separation in the Lord. Ch. 27-30 ends the section on the law and may be entitled Responsibility to obey. The conduct of the people is to be followed by Reward or Retribution, by Blessing or Cursing. Israel will either be separated unto evil as an example to the nations or separated unto righteousness as God’s peculiar joy and treasure (cf. 29:21-24 with 30:9).

‘REMEMBER’  
Remembrance enjoined upon the people is the theme of chapters 31 & 32. “Remember” is one of the key words, found about 14 times, in the book. Nine verses warn Israel against “forgetting” these requirements of the Lord. In chap. 32:46 the people are urged to “set their hearts to all the words.” This again opens up an interesting study – find out where the hearts of the people are. Six times what they “say in their heart” is evil, expressing doubts and self will. God’s answer is a new heart, which has received the engrafted word 30:6, 14.

A moving Review of the tribes makes up chap. 33 and, as a postscript almost, chap. 34, which focuses on the Relationship between Moses and Israel and God, records his death and burial.

Dr. John Douglas