DEUTERONOMY
Title:
The name “Deuteronomy” came from the Septuagint into English (see the Introduction to Genesis). It means a second arrangement of, or a second reference to, the law or laws.
Author and date:
See the Introduction to Genesis.
Theme:
This is a book of remembrance (Deut 1:3; 4:9-10, 23, 31; 5:15; 6:12; 7:18; 8:2, 11, 14, 18, 19; 9:7; 11:2; 15:15; 16:3; 24:9; 25:19). It is a restatement of the law God gave at Mt Sinai, and a confirmation of God’s covenant with Israel. Here the special privileges and duties of the people of Israel are clearly and fully stated. God especially emphasizes the relationship of love between Himself and Israel (Deut 4:37; 6:5; 7:8, 13; 10:12, 15; 19:9; 30:6, 16, 19, 20; 33:3). God was well aware of Israel’s tendency toward idolatry and warns them in very strong words to have nothing to do with images and other gods (Deut 6:14-15; 7:4; 8:19-20; 11:16; 13:1-18; 17:2-7; 27:15; 29:17-18; 30:17-18). He is God, and there is no other, and they must devote themselves to Him alone (Deut 6:4-5).
Contents:
Israel’s journeys from Mt Sinai to Canaan 1:6—3:29
Moses exhorts Israel to follow God’s law 4:1-24
Warning about the future in Canaan 4:25-31
The God of Israel alone is the true God 4:32-40
Cities of refuge east of the Jordan 4:41-43
The ten commandments 5:1-33
The greatest commandment of all 6:5
Further exhortations to keep God’s commands 6:6-25
Driving other peoples from Canaan 7:1-6
Why God chose Israel 7:7-11
Blessings for obedience 7:12-15
God would enable them to conquer Canaan 7:16-26
Exhortation to keep God and His commands
in memory 8:1-20
Why God was giving Canaan to Israel 9:1-6
The golden calf 9:7-29
The duty of Israel 10:12—11:32
The one place for sacrifice 12:1-32
Punishment for idolatry 13:1-18
Clean and unclean 14:1-21
Tithes 14:22-29
Cancelling debts 15:1-11
Freeing servants or slaves 15:12-18
Annual festivals 16:1-17
Appointment of judges 16:18-20
Punishment for worshipping other gods,
or the sun, moon or stars 17:2-7
Law courts 17:8-13
Choosing a king 17:14-20
Offerings for God’s servants 18:1-8
Things God hates 18:9-13
The great prophet to come 18:14-22
Cities of refuge 19:1-14
Essence of the law 19:21
Concerning war 20:1-20
Unsolved murder 21:1-9
Captive women 21:10-14
Rights of the firstborn 21:15-17
Punishment for a rebellious son 21:18-21
Various rules and laws 21:22—22:12
Violations of the proper relationship
between men and women 22:13-30
Citizenship rights 23:1-8
Various rules and laws 23:9—25:19
Divorce 24:1-4
Compassion on the poor 24:12-22
Regarding remarriage of widows 25:5-10
Firstfruits and tithes 26:1-15
Curses that come on sinners 27:14-26
Blessings for obedience 28:1-14
Curses for disobedience 28:15-19
Terrible warnings of future judgment 28:20-68
The covenant confirmed 29:1-18
The punishment for unfaithfulness to
God’s covenant 29:1-29
Promises of good things after punishment 30:1-10
Choose life or death 30:11-20
Joshua to be Israel’s new leader 31:1-8
Reading the law of God 31:9-13
Song of Moses 32:1-43
The importance of keeping God’s law 32:44-47
God speaks of Moses’ death 32:48-52
Moses’ blessings on the tribes 33:1-29
Moses’ death and obituary 34:1-12