The Second Law

The word Deuteronomy means "second law." This name is believed to be related to a phrase in Deuteronomy 17:18, which instructs future kings to write for themselves "a copy of this law." The Book of Deuteronomy is believed to contain "this law," or second law, which the kings were to copy. The "first Law" was given at Mount Sinai (Ex. 19–31, 35–40; Lev. 1–7, 11–27).

However, calling Deuteronomy a second law is not to suggest that it is a mere repetition of previous material. The book does review the history of the Israelites’ travels through the desert, along with the Ten Commandments. But it also is cast in terms of a treaty between God and His people (see "Deuteronomy as a Treaty" later in the Introduction to Deuteronomy).

This is significant in light of the situation at the time when Deuteronomy was given. Moses and the people of Israel were camped in the plains of Moab, on the eastern side of the Jordan River opposite Jericho (Num. 36:13; Deut. 1:1). Besides Moses, only two men, Joshua and Caleb, were still alive who had stood at Mount Sinai as adults when God originally made a covenant with the Israelites. The rest of the grown men and women from that time 40 years before had died in the wilderness because of their rebellion at Kadesh Barnea (Num. 14:26–35).

Thus a new generation was taking over, and was about to enter the Promised Land. Like their parents before them, they needed to agree to the terms of the covenant. Moses’ address in Deuteronomy gave them that opportunity.

Three things stand out in this version of the Law:

• The need for a heart commitment to the Lord. The codes of Deuteronomy (as well as the rest of the Law) would not be well served by just conforming to the letter of the Law. Cold compliance would lead to empty ritual and legalistic formulas. That’s why Moses urged his listeners to pursue the spirit of the Law, summarized in what Jesus called the greatest of the commandments: to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength" (Deut. 6:4–5; Matt. 22:37–38). Moses added, "These words which I command you today shall be in your heart" (Deut. 6:6, emphasis added).

• The need for parents to pass along the Law to their children. Deuteronomy has much to say about the responsibility of parents and even grandparents to take pains to ensure that their children and grandchildren are brought up in the ways of the Lord (see "The Faith of Our Children" at Deut. 6:7–9).

• The impact of spiritual commitment on social responsibility. Moses urged the people to stay spiritually pure (7:6–10; 8:6; 26:18–19). But in company with this exhortation was the reminder that justice and the blessings of God on the society needed to be shared with several classes of people who would otherwise be at an economic disadvantage. These included:

• Strangers, or sojourners (1:16–17; 5:14; 10:18–19; 24:17–22; 26:12–13; 27:19; 29:11; 31:12).

• Widows and orphans (10:18; 14:28–29; 24:17–22; 25:5–10; 26:12–13; 27:19).

• Priests and Levites (14:27–29; 18:1–8; 26:12–13).

• Slaves (15:12–18; 23:15–16).

• Rape victims (22:23–29).

• Debtors (15:1–3).

• The poor (15:4–11).

• The blind (27:18).

• Female prisoners of war (21:10–14).

• Low wage earners (24:14–15).

Despite Moses’ warning to carefully preserve the Law and his commandment that kings make a copy of it, Deuteronomy was lost at some point in the Israelites’ history, probably during the early days of the divided kingdom. It was not until late in Judah’s history, during Josiah’s reign (640–609 a.d.), that workers in the temple found a copy of it (2 Kin. 22:3–13). Josiah had it read publicly, and it sparked a revival among his people.

Source: Thomas Nelson, Inc., Word in Life study Bible [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1996.