“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2 ESV; passage continued next week)
St. Francis Church, Durhamville NY
What a ronomy?
Deuteronomy is a word that comes from two Greek words:
“Deutero” (second)
And “Nomos” (Law)
This does not mean that Deuteronomy is the 2nd Law, actually it gives the reader the idea that this is the second time that the law is given to the people.
Deuteronomy is the 5th book of the Bible and is the final book written by Moses called the “Pentateuch” in Latin or the “Torah” in Hebrew
“Deutero” (second)
And “Nomos” (Law)
This does not mean that Deuteronomy is the 2nd Law, actually it gives the reader the idea that this is the second time that the law is given to the people.
Deuteronomy is the 5th book of the Bible and is the final book written by Moses called the “Pentateuch” in Latin or the “Torah” in Hebrew
Intro to Deuteronomy
Genesis was the book of beginnings- from the first family, to the first brothers, to the first murder Genesis had it all. All the way until the special family is called out from among the rest.
Exodus is the book that outlines the journey out of Egypt into the wilderness and it also outlines the building of the Tabernacle for worship.
Leviticus is the book that lays out proper worship and also sets up the sacrificial system for atonement of sins. Without this system Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross would not have made sense.
Numbers recounts the various times the people lost faith and when they out-right revolted against Moses. We also meet Balaam and his amazing, talking ass.
Exodus is the book that outlines the journey out of Egypt into the wilderness and it also outlines the building of the Tabernacle for worship.
Leviticus is the book that lays out proper worship and also sets up the sacrificial system for atonement of sins. Without this system Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross would not have made sense.
Numbers recounts the various times the people lost faith and when they out-right revolted against Moses. We also meet Balaam and his amazing, talking ass.
Intro Continued
When we start Deuteronomy the Israelites are waiting on the plains of Moab, the East side of the Jordan River, to enter into the Promised Land.
An entire generation of Israelites (including Miriam and Aaron, Moses’ siblings) have died in the wilderness so a new generation of Israelites needs to hear the Law.
Moses most definitely is the author of Deuteronomy (except for one part that you will see why he didn’t author it when we get there) and his purpose is convey a message, as God’s chosen servant, of accepting the law.
The purpose of Deuteronomy, therefore, is to present the law again and show God as holy.
An entire generation of Israelites (including Miriam and Aaron, Moses’ siblings) have died in the wilderness so a new generation of Israelites needs to hear the Law.
Moses most definitely is the author of Deuteronomy (except for one part that you will see why he didn’t author it when we get there) and his purpose is convey a message, as God’s chosen servant, of accepting the law.
The purpose of Deuteronomy, therefore, is to present the law again and show God as holy.
Outline of Deuteronomy
Preamble (1:1–5)
Historical Prologue (1:6—4:43)
Stipulations of the Covenant (4:44—26:19)
Ratification; Curses and Blessings (chs. 27–30)
Leadership Succession under the Covenant (chs. 31–34)
Change of Leadership (31:1–29)
Song of Moses (31:30—32:47)
Moses’ Blessing of the Tribes (32:48—33:29)
Death of Moses and Succession of Joshua (ch. 34)
Historical Prologue (1:6—4:43)
Stipulations of the Covenant (4:44—26:19)
Ratification; Curses and Blessings (chs. 27–30)
Leadership Succession under the Covenant (chs. 31–34)
Change of Leadership (31:1–29)
Song of Moses (31:30—32:47)
Moses’ Blessing of the Tribes (32:48—33:29)
Death of Moses and Succession of Joshua (ch. 34)
Chapters 1-3 (overview)
As we saw in the outline, chapters 1-3 of Deuteronomy are an historical recounting of how Israel got to the border of the Promised Land.
In chapter 1, verses 9- 33 Moses reminds the people of when the elders and judges were appointed so that Moses didn’t have to worry about every single Israelite all the time. After the elders were appointed the people refused to enter the Promised Land based on the bad report of the 10 spies.
Next Moses reminds these people how all of their parents were sentenced to die in the wilderness because of refusing to take the land and then how they then tried to take the land and lost miserably in battle.
In chapter 1, verses 9- 33 Moses reminds the people of when the elders and judges were appointed so that Moses didn’t have to worry about every single Israelite all the time. After the elders were appointed the people refused to enter the Promised Land based on the bad report of the 10 spies.
Next Moses reminds these people how all of their parents were sentenced to die in the wilderness because of refusing to take the land and then how they then tried to take the land and lost miserably in battle.
Overview continued
Chapter 2 talks about the wandering through the wilderness for 40 years while the generation slowly died off.
There is also an account of defeating the King of Sihon for not allowing the Israelites to pass through his land.
In Chapter 3 we re-read of King Og trying to battle the Israelites but being completely defeated. We do have an interesting aside that mentions that King Og slept on a bed made of iron that was 13 and a half feet long. Either King Og liked a big bed or he was a giant ranging anywhere from 9-12 feet tall.
Finally we read at the end of chpt. 3 about Moses being prohibited from entering the Promised Land.
There is also an account of defeating the King of Sihon for not allowing the Israelites to pass through his land.
In Chapter 3 we re-read of King Og trying to battle the Israelites but being completely defeated. We do have an interesting aside that mentions that King Og slept on a bed made of iron that was 13 and a half feet long. Either King Og liked a big bed or he was a giant ranging anywhere from 9-12 feet tall.
Finally we read at the end of chpt. 3 about Moses being prohibited from entering the Promised Land.
Moses teaches from the heart
—There is some excellent wisdom in chapter 4, verses that sound absolute poetic when listened to so my recommendation is to listen to them more than once. (if you go to www.Biblegateway.com and look up Deuteronomy 4 in English Standard Version there is a little icon that looks like a speaker and if you click there you can listen to the passage read)
—“You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.” verse 2
—“For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?” verses 7-8
—Remember this is coming from Moses who does not have a place in the Promised Land.
—The people are reminded that when God Almighty spoke directly to them from the cloud that they did not see any form for God- so be careful not create any images for God that don’t exist.
—Moses warns that anyone that creates an image for the Lord God will be utterly destroyed, kicked out of the land, left for dead, etc. BUT, if one calls on God and returns to him God does forgive.
—“For the Lord your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them.” verse 31
—Finally Moses makes the point that has never been another God that chose one people from the earth and lead them to be like the Israelites.
—“You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.” verse 2
—“For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?” verses 7-8
—Remember this is coming from Moses who does not have a place in the Promised Land.
—The people are reminded that when God Almighty spoke directly to them from the cloud that they did not see any form for God- so be careful not create any images for God that don’t exist.
—Moses warns that anyone that creates an image for the Lord God will be utterly destroyed, kicked out of the land, left for dead, etc. BUT, if one calls on God and returns to him God does forgive.
—“For the Lord your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them.” verse 31
—Finally Moses makes the point that has never been another God that chose one people from the earth and lead them to be like the Israelites.