Deuteronomy Images and
NotesThe Book of Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 28:1 - And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt
hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to
observe [and] to do all his commandments which I command thee
this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all
nations of the earth:
Deuteronomy 28:2 - And all these blessings shall come on
thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of
the LORD thy God.
Religious Jew Reading the Scroll of the Torah,
notice the prayer shawl over his head and the phylacteries on
his forehead and arm to remind him that he must keep the law
with his head and his heart. He is reading the scroll of the
Torah which was written on parchment and fastened to rollers.
The Old Testament - A Brief Overview
Bible Survery - Deuteronomy
Hebrew Name - elleh haddebharim "these are the words"
Greek Name - Deuteronomion "The Second Law"
Author - Moses
Date - 1451 BC Approximately
Theme - Reminders of God's Covenant
Types and Shadows - In Deuteronomy Jesus is prophet like unto
Moses
Quick Reference Map
Map of the Possible Route of the Exodus
(Click to Enlarge)
Summary of The Book of Deuteronomy
The word
"Deuteronomy" comes from the Greek word for "the second law" or "the law
copied or repeated." In the book of Deuteronomy Moses is
writing a series of speeches to the people of Israel in the
plains of Moab on the day before they entered the land of
Canaan, the promised land. these messages are intended to speak
to every member of the congregation of Israel, not just the
religious. The purpose of Moses was to remind them of God's law,
and everything that God did for them, and every promise God made
to them. Moses explained to them that their new life in the land
of Canaan would be blessed or cursed depending on their ability
to walk after after God and His law. These words were spoken to
them on the 11th month of the final year of Israel's wandering
in the wilderness, the 40th year after they left Egypt.
In the first speech (Deuteronomy 1:1-4:43), Moses warns
the people of Israel about the sins which had kept their fathers from entering the
promised land. He repeatedly encourages them to obey God and reminds them about
the events that took place in the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. He
carefully explains what happens when there are difficult situations and they
choose not to trust the Lord but rather act in obstinance, doubt, fear, and
finally disobedience.
The second speech (Deuteronomy 4:44-26:19) goes into the details about the
law. It is really the main message here that Moses gives them, the first speech
was more of an introduction and preparation for this message. It deals mainly
with the legal aspects of the law, moral, civil, and ceremonial. It deals first
with the 10 Commandments (Deuteronomy chapters 5-11) and secondly the details
behind God's law with the emphasis on following God statutes, religious
ordinances, and living with one another as the people of God (Deuteronomy
chapters 12-26).
The third speech (Deuteronomy 27:1-31:30) is primarily a message about the blessings of
obedience and the curses of disobedience. Moses mainly directs his message to
the elders, the priests, the Levites, and all the leaders who are responsible to
carry out the ceremonies. The place chosen for the ceremonies was a spot in the
center of the land of Israel where the first altar to God have been erected.
Once they had crossed over the Jordan River they were commanded to set up great
stones on Mount Ebal, with the law of God inscribed and to build a great altar.
The 12 tribes of Israel were to be divided
between the two hills. Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph and Benjamin were
to gather themselves on Mt. Gerizim to recite the blessings which God promised
them if they would obey him. Across on Mt. Ebal, Reuben, Gad,
Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali were to speak the curses which God had promised them
if they were to disobey him.
Moses finished his discourses and encourage the people to
follow Joshua, their new leader, to cross the Jordan and to take
the land which had been promised to their father Abraham. Moses
wrote down the law in a book, gave it to the priests, who were
to keep it as a perpetual reminder for the people of Israel
(Deuteronomy 31:9-13). They were to read it every seventh year
when the people assembled for the feast of Tabernacles.
God told Moses and Joshua to come before Him at the tabernacle and He told them of the future infidelity of
the children of Israel and
instructed Moses to leave the people a song as a witness against them which they
were to learn. This song of Moses is recorded
in Deuteronomy 32 and it speaks about the blessings which God has bestowed on his people and
the corrupt ways in which they responded to those blessings. Deuteronomy 33
speaks about Moses' blessing on the people and Deuteronomy 34 records briefly
the account of
the death of Moses, the great leader of Israel.
Outline of The Book of Deuteronomy
1) The First Address of Moses
Historical overview (Deuteronomy 1:6-3)
Appeal for commitment to God (Deuteronomy 4)
2) The Second Address of Moses
God's covenant with Israel (Deuteronomy 5:1-21)
A Message about the First Commandment (Deuteronomy 6-9:6)
A Survey of the Laws Given on Mount Sinai (Deuteronomy
9:7-10:11)
Reminders of God's Laws (Deuteronomy 10:12-11)
3) The Laws
Sacrifice (Deuteronomy 12)
Giving in to Idolatry (Deuteronomy 13)
Acceptable and Forbidden Foods (Deuteronomy 14:3-21)
Tithes (Deuteronomy 14:22-29)
Year of Release (Deuteronomy 15:1-11)
Releasing Slaves (Deuteronomy 15:12-18)
Firstlings of Cattle and Sheep (Deuteronomy 15:19-23)
Yearly Pilgrimage Feasts and Festivals (Deuteronomy 16:1-17)
Leaders of the Nation (Deuteronomy 16:18-28:22)
Right of Asylum (Deuteronomy 19)
Conduct of War (Deuteronomy 20, 21:10-14, 23:9-14)
Marriage and Family Life (Deuteronomy 21, 22, 24:1-4, 25:5-10)
Certain Humanitarian Regulations (Deuteronomy 21, 22, 24, 25)
Blessings and Curses on the People (Deuteronomy 27)
Results of Observance and Neglect (Deuteronomy 28)
4) The Last Days of Moses
Third Address (Deuteronomy 29-30)
Last Words and Acts of Moses (Deuteronomy 31-33)
Death and Burial of Moses (Deuteronomy 34)
Quick Reference Maps -
Deuteronomy
Canaan Before Joshua
The Island of Caphtor
Deuteronomy Resources
The Wilderness Wanderings
More About the Book of Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy in the Picture Study Bible
Timeline of the Ancient
World
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