Summary of the Book of Deuteronomy

Author:
Moses authored the Book of Deuteronomy, which comprises his sermons to Israel just before they crossed the Jordan. “These are the words which Moses spoke” (1:1). It is possible that someone else, like Joshua, wrote the final chapter. Full article: Who wrote the book of Deuteronomy? Who was the author of Deuteronomy?

Date of Writing:
These sermons were delivered during the 40-day period before Israel entered the Promised Land. The first sermon was given 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 «And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho. », (Joshua 4:19). After subtracting 30 days of mourning following Moses’ death «And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. », (Deuteronomy 34:8), we are left with 40 days. The year was 1406 B.C.

Purpose of Writing:
A new generation of Israelites was on the verge of entering the Promised Land. This generation had not witnessed the Red Sea miracle or heard the law given at Sinai. They were about to enter a new land filled with dangers and temptations. The book of Deuteronomy was provided to remind them of God’s law and power.

Key Verses:

“Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.” «Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.»

LORD your God which I command you.”, (Deuteronomy 4:2)

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-7)

“He said to them, ‘Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” (Deuteronomy 32:46-47)

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 desi

The core message for His people is found in what He recommends: “choose life” (Deuteronomy 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.

Foreshadowings:
Many New Testament themes are present in the Book of Deuteronomy. The foremost among them is the necessity of keeping perfectly the Mosaic Law and the impossibility of doing so. The endless sacrifices necessary to atone for the sins of the people—who continually transgressed the Law—would find their fulfillment in the final “once for all” sacrifice of Christ, as stated in Hebrews 10:10. Because of His atoning work on the cross, we would need no further sacrifices for sin.

God’s choosing of the Israelites as His special people foreshadows His choosing of those who would believe in Christ, as mentioned in 1 Peter 2:9. In Deuteronomy 18:15-19, Moses prophesies of another prophet—the ultimate Prophet to come who is the Messiah. Like Moses, He would receive and preach divine revelation and He would lead His people (John 6:14; John 7:40).

Practical Application:
The book of Deuteronomy offers timeless lessons and insights for believers today.Obedience underscores the significance of God’s Word. It is a crucial part of our lives. Although we are no longer under the Old Testament law, we are still accountable to adhere to God’s will in our lives. Simple obedience brings blessings, and sin has its own consequences.

None of us is “above the law.” Even Moses, the leader and prophet chosen by God, was required to obey. The reason he was not permitted to enter the Promised Land was that he disobeyed the Lord’s clear command «This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.», (Numbers 20:13).

During His time of testing in the wilderness, Jesus quoted from the book of Deuteronomy three times (Matthew 4). In doing so, Jesus demonstrated the importance of storing God’s Word in our hearts so that we may not sin against Him «Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.», (Psalm 119:11).

Just as Israel remembered God’s faithfulness, so should we. The crossing of the Red Sea, the holy presence at Sinai, and the blessing of manna in the desert should also serve as an encouragement to us. Reflecting on what God has done is a great way to keep moving forward.

In Deuteronomy, we also find a beautiful depiction of a loving God who desires a relationship with His children. The Lord cites love as the reason for bringing Israel out of Egypt “with a mighty hand” and redeeming them (Deuteronomy 7:7-9). It is truly wonderful to be liberated from the bondage of sin and cherished by an all-powerful God!