Introduction To Deuteronomy

Introduction To Deuteronomy

Background from the OT: Deuteronomy

Key to understanding

Written at the end of forty years of wandering in the wilderness, just before crossing over Jordan into Canaan

Describes the transition from bondage into freedom (from sin into a relationship with Christ)

Describes the journey toward the Promised Land (wanderings, joys, hardships, God's provision, obstacles, pictures of our spiritual life)

Deuteronomy means "the second law." (The "first law" was given in Exodus chapter 20)

The law of God has two functions

To make everyone accountable to God (Romans 3:19)

To make us understand that only Christ can provide that accountability (Romans 5:10)

The law focuses on three important things (refer to attachment)

The need for a heart commitment to the Lord

The need for parents to pass along the Law to their children

The impact of spiritual commitment on social responsibility

Three divisions of the book

Establishes this book as a "Treaty" between God and His people

Recollections of God's deeds at Horeb, etc (1:6-18)

The conquests of Heshbon and Hashan (2:26 - 3:11)

Allocations of land (3:23-29)

Call for obedience (4)

Note the reference to cities of refuge (4:41 - 43)

God's rules for living

The commandments (5:1 - ll:32)

Specific rules and legislations (12:1 - 26:5)

Blessings and Curses -- a Revelation of things to come

Prophecies of what will be (28)

A call to decision (30)

Two primary themes

Man's hopelessness before God

Chap. 6, vs 20 "Why do we do these things?"

God's abiding presence

Answer: vs 21 because we were slaves and God delivered us

God's Treaty With The Israelites Part 1

Background from the OT: Deuteronomy chapters 1 & 2

God reminds them of their beginnings

Moses' address to the people takes place on Feb 15^th in Moab, 40 years after they left their camp at Mount Horeb to cross over the Jordon toward the Promised Land

They're camped out now about 11 days' travel away from that place, but it took them 40 years to get there

(1:9-18) Recollection of the advice of Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, from Exodus 18:13

(1:19-36) Recollection of what they did when they first set eyes on the Promised Land (Side note to the Anakim: Genesis 6)

(1:34-43) God's response to their lack of faith

Who were excluded and why?

Who were included and why

Why not Moses?

God reminds them of their 40-year journey

Walking circles around Mount Seir -- it belonged to Esau's descendents (2:1-7)

By-passing the land of the Moabites -- it belonged to Lot's descendents (2:9-12)

Thirty-eight years to cross the Zered Brook ?? why? (2:13-17)

On through Moab (2:18-23) (note the reference again to Anakim)

The conquest of the Ammonites (2:24-37)

Those pesky Ammonites -- see also Nehemiah 2:10, 19

God's Treaty With The Israelites Part 2

Background from the OT: Deuteronomy chapters 3 & 4

Remembrance of the last two years of wandering

The Battle at Bashan (3:1-8)

God waited 38 years for them to cross the brook at Zered so their enemies would begin to die out (2:13-17)

Kings Sihon and Og, southern and northern, hold the land just east of the Jordon River

Through God's enabling, the Israelites completely destroyed the two kingdoms

The land of Moab north through Gilead to Bashan is divided amongst the Israelites. (3:12-21)

God rebuffs Moses again on his request to enter Canaan. (3:23-26)

A call to obedience

Moses calls on them to remember and obey. Compare 4:2 with Revelation 22:18-19.

The purpose of obedience is to demonstrate God's glory and protection over them. (4:6-8)

A reminder of what they experienced at Sinai, and where the law came from in the first place. (4:9-14)

A warning against Idol worship -- God purposefully hid himself at Sinai in order to prevent them from making images of him. (4:15-31)

Our God is an awesome God. Know it. Believe it. Live it. (4:32-40)

Cities of Refuge: (4:41-43)