As we continue on this journey through the Bible with today’s study of Deuteronomy, may we remember to ask God to show us what He wants us to learn? Psalm 19:14; “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Deuteronomy
Author: Moses (and Joshua after Moses died)
Audience: The people of Israel as they entered the new land
Date Written: About 140/6 B.C.
Length: 34 Chapters
Key Word: Remember
Key Verse: ” Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” (7:9)
Key People: Moses, Joshua
Summary of Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy reminds me of the lectures parents give to their children before they begin life on their own. But, in this case, Moses is preparing the next generation of Israelites to enter the promised land. The former generation died in the wilderness. And Moses knows his time is limited, so he wants to impart some final wisdom and implore them to remember all they learned over the years in the wilderness.
Remember
The keyword for this book is “remember.” That is because Moses entreats the Israelites to remember many times within the pages of Deuteronomy. Here are the significant areas Moses wants the people to remember:
- The giving of the law (4:9-10)
- Their covenant with God (4:23)
- Their past bondages in Eygpt (5:15)
- God’s deliverance of His people (7:18)
- The divine leadership (8:2-6)
- Their sins of the past (9:7)
- The divine judgment of God (24:9)
- The ancient days of Israel (32:7)
Obedience in Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy also focuses on the divine requirement of obedience to God. We see this displayed in the chapters by way of the following nine discourses:
- Retrospect (1-4:3)
- Review (4:4-26)
- Warning (27-28)
- Covenant (29-30)
- Counsels (31:1-23)
- Instruction (31:24-29)
- Song (31:30-32)
- Blessing (33)
- Death of Moses (34)
Godly Character
Finally, we see much of God’s character revealed through Moses’ words within this book.
- God is accessible – 4:7
- God is eternal – 33:27
- God is faithful – 7:9
- God is glorious – 5:24; 28:58
- God is jealous – 4:24
- God is just – 10:17; 32:4
- God is loving – 7:7, 8, 13; 10:15, 18; 23:5
- God is merciful – 4:31; 32:43
- God is powerful – 3:24; 32:39
- God is a promise keeper – 1:11
- God is provident – 8:2, 15, 18
- God is righteous – 4:8
- God is true – 32:4
- God is unequeles – 4:35; 33:26
- God is unifies – 4:32-35, 39, 40; 6:4, 5; 32:39
- God is wise – 2:7
- God is wrathful – 29:20, 27, 28; 32:19-22
Christ in Deuteronomy
And, we can’t forget that we also see Moses speak of the coming of Christ in Deuteronomy 18:15; “The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. him you shall hear.” This prophet has been interpreted as Jesus by many Biblical scholars through the ages.
The book of Deuteronomy brings us to the end of the first five books of the Old Testament, known as the law. The next twelve books look at the history of God’s people and how we can learn from their examples.
The Bible
Each book of the Bible contains lessons for us to learn as well as historical information. We need to study God’s Word to see what to do and what not to do in life. Paul reminds all of us of the importance of the words within the text in 2 Timothy 3.
“14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, guide our thoughts as we study your Word. Please show us how to apply the principles to our daily lives. Thank you for the many blessings we find within its pages. In Jesus’ Holy Name. Amen.
Do you need prayer? I would love to pray for you. Submit your prayer request on my website at https://yvonne-morgan.com/submit-your-prayer-request-here/
Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
Additional Resources:
Great summary Ms. Yvonne. Have always enjoyed the takeaways from this book. Thank you ma’am.
Thanks JD. I am learning so much from doing this study.
Love that you included the prophetic reference to Christ. Most people don’t think of Jesus when they think of Deuteronomy!
I am learning that everything is the Bible points towards Christ. God has it all planned out. Thanks Ava and God bless
I love this concise summary of this book of the Bible, Yvonne. This is a great study tool for students of the Bible. I’m so glad your father kept his notes and that they could be used by you.
I hear his voice so often as I read through his notes. It has been a blessing to me. Thanks for commenting.
So good, Yvonne. I love how Deuteronomy tells us we are called to remember, and then to be obedient. When we love God truly, I find we WANT to follow His way and be obedient!
Me too Jessica. It is so amazing how that works. God bless.
Amen. I pray we remember the love God has for His children. I pray we remember to share His love and glory with others.
I pray the same for all of us. Thanks Melissa and God bless
Thank you for these, Yvonne. I love so many verses in Deuteronomy. I particularly like the characteristics of God you list. I pray to also “remember” what the Lord has done in my life, how he has shown himself, and rescued me from bondage and sin.
Thanks Karen. He has done so much in my life. I have to continually remind myself to thank Him for all of them. God bless