INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY

Deuteronomy - Remember What God Has Done and Said

(KeyVerse= 8:2)

Deuteronomy is the 5th book of Moses. It provides the theological undergirding of the Old Testament. Its name means 'a repetition or second giving of the law.' Moses and the people were gathered on the border of Canaan in the plains of Moab, 40 years after they had left Egypt. When they were slaves in Egypt, God had promised to give them the land of Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey. But 40 years before, when they had tried to cross over into Canaan at Kadesh Barnea, they had failed because of their unbelief and disobedience. Now, the 40 years of training was over; one generation of fighting men had died in the desert; it was the time to cross the Jordan and take the land. Already they had tasted victory in battle by defeating the Transjordan kings, but the great task lay ahead of them. Moses, their shepherd, would not go with them; it was the time for him to transfer the leadership to Joshua.

Moses spoke to them from his heart. His key word was 'remember.' He wanted them to learn from their past failures; he wanted them to remember the power and love and faithfulness of God. The book may be divided as follows:

1-4 (1st) Lessons from history--remember and live

5-11 (2nd) Remember the Covenant and the Law

(Ten Commandments repeated)

12-26 (3rd) Laws for Life in Canaan

27-30 (4th) Choose Life (Blessings and Curses)

31-33 (5th) Final Words and Song of Moses

34 Epilogue

Moses gave many instructions, but his main message is summed up in 6:5: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.'

1. At the border of the Promised Land (1-5)

It takes only 11 days to go from Mt. Sinai to Kadesh, but, because of their disobedience, the Israelites had received forty years of desert training. Now they were at the back door of Canaan--east of the Jordan River-ready to enter the Promised Land. Under Moses' leadership they had defeated the Amorite kings who controlled the east bank. Now, Moses gave them a history lesson to remind them of God's promises. They must not repeat their past failure. They must go in and take possession.

2. Go in and take possession of the land (6-8)

They had remained at Mt. Sinai for a year while they received the law and built the sanctuary. Then, God commanded them to break camp and advance. He had promised them the land of Canaan. All they had to do was to go in and take possession of it.

3. The appointment of leaders (9-18)

Moses appointed leaders to help him. These men were to act as impartial judges, for judgment belongs to God. Leaders must fear God, not men.

Application: Lord, help me to claim your promises and enter the new year with obedient faith.
One Word: Go in and take possession