Maple St. Church of Christ

OVERVIEW OF DEUTERONOMY

Introduction- It is good for us to review a little about what we have studied so far in our
reflections on the first five books of the bible (called the Pentateuch). All of these books are
believed to be written by Moses. In Genesis we have the RUIN through Man’s sin and death
entering the world. In Exodus we see the REDEMPTION that comes through the blood and the
atonement for sins through the sacrifice of animals BUT we do not see total forgiveness until
Jesus’ Sacrifice on the cross (Hebrews 10:11-14). In Leviticus there is COMMUNION on the
grounds of atonement through sacrifice. In Numbers we note DIRECTION through the guidance
of God’s will, revealed in words. Now, in Deuteronomy there is DESTINATION through the
faithfulness of God.
In Hebrew the name for Deuteronomy is Haddebharim, i.e. “The Words” which is taken from the
first verse. It is a book of the wise and true sayings of God. This book contains the three
speeches of Moses to the new generation before they enter the promised land. Only Moses,
Joshua and Caleb will be of the former generation. Those who were below 20 years old at the
time God announced the wandering in the wilderness will be the makeup of those who enter the
promised land. The title Deuteronomy is taken from “deuteros” and “nomos” law. This is the
title those who translated the Septuagint gave to this book.
Deuteronomy is a book of transition. 1. To a new generation 2. To the new possession 3. To
a new life- no more tents and now milk and honey instead of manna.
From Genesis to Numbers God’s love is only briefly spoken of but his love is certainly shown in
His abundant restraint to those He called and faithfulness to His Promise. In Deut. 11:1- “you
shall love the Lord your God and keep His charge, his statutes, his rules, and his commandments
always.”
Deuteronomy 6:5 tells this group- “you shall love the lord your God, with all your heart soul and
strength” This passage is called the “Shema” (which means listen) It is accompanied by
Deuteronomy 4:29 which encourages the people to “seek God with all their heart and soul.”
Both of these passages call for whole-hearted devotion of the people to the Lord. He will not
accept anything less.
Deuteronomy only covers about one months’ time (Deut. 1:3; Josh. 4:19). The old generation
is gone for the most part, this book is written to impress the new generation with their sense of
duty to God and help prepare them for the long-awaited land promise. Moses repeats the
covenant of God with His people, prophesies of future things (including what they will and will
not do and warning them of consequences of disobedience), he then blesses each tribe and then
having viewed the promise land from Mt. Nebo he dies and is buried by God. Israel will enter
the land well-informed of what their future holds and warned by God of what will happen. THE
LAND PROMISE IS BEING FULFILLED BY THIS GROUP BUT IT WAS NEVER
UNCONDITIONAL. KEEPING THE LAND IS CONTINGENT ON THEIR

FAITHFULNESS TO GOD AND HIS WILL. IF THEY FAIL TO OBEY HIM AND
DEPART FROM HIM, HE WILL DEPART FROM THEM AND THE LAND WILL
ALSO SUFFER FROM THEIR DISOBEDIENCE.
In Deuteronomy we learn these lessons:
Respect for God’s Word (Note these passages: 4:1-2; 10:12-13; 12:32).
God’s Promises are conditional See (6:24-25; 7:11-12; 8:18-19; 28:1,15)
Family Life. Regulations concerning marriage and the home. Three of these are 1. They are
forbidden to intermarry with heathen nations (7:1-3) WHY? See 7:4. 2. A newly wed man was
exempt from military service for one year (24:5) 3. God emphasizes the need for parents to
teach their children from generation to generation (Deut. 6:6-7).
The Test for A Prophet (18:22)
God’s attitude toward sorcery, witchcraft and the occult- 18:9-14
Inherited Depravity addressed by God- no such thing as such a thing- a False Doctrine
(24:16)
JESUS AND DEUTERONOMY- 18:18-19. NOW READ Acts 3:22-24 where Peter applies the
Deuteronomy passage to the Lord (see also Jn. 5:46,47). WHEN JESUS WAS TEMPTED BY
SATAN IT IS FROM DEUTERONOMY THAT HE QUOTES TO DRIVE SATAN AWAY “IT
IS WRITTEN” FROM (Deuteronomy 8:3; 6:13,16). This is recorded in Matthew 4.

OUTLINING DEUTERONOMY. 1-11- LOOKING BACKWARD (1-3 REVIEWS THE
EVENTS SINCE SINAI AND 4-11 REVIEWS THE LAW FROM SINAI).
12-34- LOOKING FORWARD
Final Rules and Warnings to Israel before entering (12-30) and the Final Words and Actions of
Moses before entering his portion with the Lord (31-34)
CENTRAL MESSAGE – DIVINE FAITHFULNESS. God has always been gracious to Israel
and His ways with the nation in the past were just fair and clear. He renews His pledge to be
with them IF THEY CONTINUE IN His ways and walk with Him. Just knowing what He says
and desires is not good enough. They must act and implement what they KNOW (not forgetful
hearers).
BASICS IN THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY:
BASIC FACT- 6:4-7A- “HEAR O ISRAEL; THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD: AND
YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEAERT, WITH ALL
YOUR SOUL AND ALL YOUR MIGHT AND THESE WOREDS WHICHI COMMAND

YOU THIS DAY SHALL BE IN YOUR HEART AND YOU SHALL TEACH THEM TO
YOUR CHILDREN….” Jesus said this was the first commandment of the law (Matt. 22:36-37)
There is only ONE GOD
BASIC TRUTH- 6:23- “he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in to give us
the land he swore to our fathers” Note- He brought us out (fact) to bring us in(purpose) and
(the reason)- He swore to our fathers. In this we see God’s power, grace and faithfulness. He is
true to his covenant.
BASIC REQUIREMENT- 10:12-13- “and now, Israel, what does the Lord require of you,
but to fear the Lord thy God to walk in His ways, and to love Him and Serve the lord your
god with all your heart and soul and to keep the commandments of the Lord, and His
statutes which I command you this day for good.”
OBEDIENCE IS THE KEYNOTE OF ALMOST EVERY PASSAGE IN THIS BOOK.
BASIC PLEDGE- God would keep his promise. Josh. 21:43-45- “and the Lord gave unto
Israel all the land which he swore to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it and dwelt
therein. And the lord gave them rest all about according to all that he swore unto their
fathers; and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them the lord delivered all
their enemies into their hand. There failed not ought of any good thing which the lord had
spoken unto the house of Israel, all come to pass.”
God also pledged that the retaining of the land was conditional on their faithfulness (Deut.
30:15-20) The people did not remain faithful and they went into captivity as prophesied in
(Deut. 28:63, 66). The people were restored to the land as prophesied (Deut. 30:1-3).
To the Premillennialist these passages destroy the idea of a yet to be fulfilled land promised.
BASIC CHOICE- 30:15- “SEE, I SET BEFORE YOU TODAY LIFE AND PROSPERITY,
DEATH AND DESTRUCTION” The Same choice was given to Israel by Joshua in Josh.
24:15- “and if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve,
whether the gods your fathers served in the regions beyond the River, the gods of the
Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”
Final Words about Moses. He had few peers and is one of the greatest figures in all the
Bible and in all history. His life falls into three 40-year periods. The First 40 he is a
PRINCE in EGYPT. The next 40 he is a SHEPHERD IN MIDIAN. The Final 40 HE IS A
LEADER IN ISRAEL. In the final 4 chapters of Deuteronomy, we read his final words and
acts. HIS MESSAGE TO THE NEW GENERATION 31:6- BE STRONG AND OF
GOOD COURAGE 31:11- keep reading the law to all the people. 31:23- to Joshua he
says- BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE AND GOD WILL BE WITH YOU.
Chapter 32 is the SONG OF MOSES to the people. Chapter 33 Moses blesses the tribes,
then he goes up to the land of Moab and God shows him the land, he will never dwell in.

Moses is buried by God at the age of 120. 20:7- “…his eyes were not dim, nor his natural
forces abated.” The children of Israel wept for him in the plains of Moab for 30 days.
Deuteronomy 34:9- Ands Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom for Moses
has laid hands upon him, and the children of Israel hearkened to him and did as the Lord
had commanded Moses. And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses,
whom the Lord knew face to face. In all the signs and the wonders, which the Lord sent
him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharoah, and to all his servants, and to all the land. And
in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses showed in all the sight of
Israel.”
---Stan Adams---

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