Background on the Book of Deuteronomy

 

AUTHOR: Moses wrote the Book of Deuteronomy, which is a collection of his sermons to Israel just before they crossed the Jordan. “These are the words which Moses spoke” (1:1). Joshua wrote the last chapter as he accounts for Moses’ death.

 

DATE OF WRITING:  These sermons were given during the 40-day period prior to Israel’s entering the Promised Land. The first sermon was delivered on the 1st day of the 11th month (1:3), and the Israelites crossed the Jordan 70 days later, on the 10th day of the 1st month (Joshua 4:19). Subtract 30 days of mourning after Moses’ death (Deuteronomy 34:8), and we’re left with 40 days. The year was 1406 B.C. 

 

PURPOSE OF WRITING: A new generation of Israelites was about to enter the Promised Land. This multitude had not experienced the miracle at the Red Sea or heard the law given at Sinai, and they were about to enter a new land with many dangers and temptations. The book of Deuteronomy was given to remind them of God’s law and God’s power.

 

BRIEF SUMMARY: The Israelites are commanded to remember four things: God’s faithfulness, God’s holiness, God’s blessings, and God’s warnings. The first three chapters recap the trip from Egypt to their current location, Moab. Chapter 4 is a call to obedience, to be faithful to the God who was faithful to them.

 

Chapters 5 through 26 are a repetition of the Law. The Ten Commandments, the laws concerning sacrifices and specials days, and the rest of the laws are given to the new generation. Blessings are promised to those who obey (5:29; 6:17-19; 11:13-15), and famine is promised to those who break the Law (11:16-17).

 

The theme of blessing and cursing is continued in chapters 27-30. This portion of the book ends with a clear choice set before Israel: “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing.” God’s desire for His people is found in what He recommends: “choose life” (30:19).

 

In the final chapters, Moses encourages the people; commissions his replacement, Joshua; records a song; and gives a final blessing to each of the tribes of Israel. Chapter 34 relates the circumstances of Moses’ death. He climbed Mt. Pisgah, where the Lord showed him the Promised Land that he could not enter. At 120 years old, but still with good eyesight and the strength of youth, Moses died in the presence of the Lord. The book of Deuteronomy ends with a short obituary on this great prophet.

 

THEMES: Some key themes of the book of Deuteronomy are:

God’s uniqueness (4:1–40),

Israel’s election (4:37–38; 7:6–8; 10:14–15; 14:2),

The land’s goodness (1:25; 6:10–11; 8:7–13; 11:8–15),

God’s faithful promise-keeping (1:8, 19–46; 7:1–26; 8:1–20; 9:1–10:11),

God’s power to defeat the enemies in the land (2:1–3:11; 4:1–40; 7:1–26),

Exhortations to Israel to love, serve, fear, and obey God (6:5; 10:12–13; 13:4),

Warnings against idolatry and instruction for proper worship of God (4:9–31; 5:6–10; 7:1–5; 8:19–20; 12:1–32; 13:1–18),

The impact of God’s laws (12:1–27:26),

Moses’ imminent death (1:37; 3:26; 4:21; 32:51; 34:1–12).