Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy

Finding the Context:

1.     What do you see in this book that tells about the Original Reader?

The original readers were the Israelites who were about to enter the Promised Land. In Deut 11:2-7 Moses is telling the people of Israel that he is not talking to their children because they are not the ones that have seen the miracles and acts of God but He says in verse seven that, “You have seen” implying that because they are the ones who have seen the wonders of God, he is writing to them.

2.     What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

Again the author is Moses. 31:9 states that Moses was the author of the book. This book was written at the end of Moses’ life as his last instructions to the people of Israel. Despite the fact that it was written right before his death, he was still able to see well and would have been able to write this book. (34:7). This book closes with describing who Moses was. It says that there hadn’t ever been a prophet like Moses in Israel up to that time because he was a man who knew God face to face. (34:10)

3.     What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one-sentence summary of the “main idea”?  

The main idea of Deuteronomy is simply God covenanting with his people and giving them instructions on how to live a life of obedience in the Promised Land so that they will continue to receive His blessings and not experience the consequences for disobeying that He lays out in this book.

The results of obedience and disobedience are mentioned throughout the entire book. God is showing the Israelites the blessings that will come to them if they choose to follow Him as well as the consequences that will come upon them if they choose to disobey Him (6:10-13; 7:12-15; 8:7-10; 11:8-15; 11:27-28; 15:4-6; 26:16-19; 28-30;).

One of the repeated ideas in Deuteronomy is the warning against idolatry. God is constantly cautioning His people not to turn to other gods once they enter the Promised Land. 4:15-20; 5:7-10; 6:14-16; 11:16-17; 12:2-7, 29-32; 13:1-5; 17:2-7; 20:16-18; 27:15; 32:15-27

4.     What is the primary reason this book was written?

This book was written as Moses’ final instructions to the children of Israel. The book goes into detail of saying what they were to do when they got to the Promised Land and what they were to be careful to avoid. These instructions were written so that God’s people would obey his commands. It was written so that the people would remember God’s commands and also pass them on to their children. (4:5,14; 5:1; 6:4-9; 32:45; 31:6-8)

Theme Tracing:

1.     What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

You can see God’s love and jealousy over his people in this book with the number of times He tells them that they are not to worship other gods. He also tells them that He is a Jealous God. 4: 31, 35-39; 5:9; 33:3

God also tells the people that He is a God who loves to fight for them. He says over and over that He is going ahead of His people to fight for them and to make a way for them. 1:17, 29-31; 2:25; 3:22; 4:38; 7:1,2,7,8,19,20; 9:3-6; 11:22-25; 20:1,4

2.     What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

The Israelites had failed to believe and trust in God and His Word originally and had rebelled against Him, (1:26-36; 9:22-24). Yet you see God’s redemption because He still promises to bring them into the land despite all of their failings. He still promises to bless them and He still loves them. 33:3. He keeps His covenant even when His people don’t obey Him.

Application Questions:

1.     Personal Application

I was overwhelmed with the number of times that God promises to bless His people when they choose to go into the land and live out obedience to Him. He goes into detail telling them all of the ways that He is going to bless them. It is such a huge reminder that God loves to bless His children when they walk in obedience to Him. Not only does He want to give me a new and wonderful land, but He also promises to give me abundantly more than I could ask or think.

I was also struck with how often God told His people not to worry about the people in the new land. They didn’t need to be afraid of anyone because God told them over and over again that He was going to go ahead of them to fight for them. I felt like God was ministering to me that when I am doing His will and walking into territory that He has given to me and asked me to take possession of, I won’t have to worry about what people are going to think of me because He is going to go ahead of me to take care of everything.