BIBLE BOOK: Deuteronomy
Lessons from the Past
It is probably true to say that Deuteronomy is a somewhat neglected book in the Bible. No book, of course, should willingly be neglected – but this particular book even less. Its importance is highlighted in the fact that quotations from Deuteronomy appear frequently in the New Testament.
One specific incident, however, is especially interesting. When the Lord Jesus was tempted by Satan at the beginning of His ministry during a 40 day period, three particular attacks are recorded. Having fasted all that time, the Devil encouraged the Son of God to turn some stones in the wilderness into bread, but Jesus refused. Further suggestions that He should throw Himself from the pinnacle of the temple or bow at Satan’s feet in worship brought no success either. However, each time the Lord Jesus answered Satan with the words, “It is written…” and with a quotation.
Where did those quotations come from? Each of them came from Deuteronomy! This suggests to us that the Lord Jesus had been meditating upon the truths of that Old Testament book. If He found it appealing, we should be attracted to it as well.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
The title “Deuteronomy” literally means “Second Law” – or the second edition of the Law. A new edition of the Law was needed because the generation living at that moment had not been present when the Law was given to Moses the first time at Sinai. Geographically, the book is set on the east of the River Jordan in the wilderness as the people of Israel prepared to enter their Promised Land, 40 years after leaving Egypt.
The book contains Moses’ farewell sermons to the Israelites shortly before his death. It is also a record of the covenant made by God with His people in the plains of Moab (31:26) and is written in the form of treaties made at that time. Although it is a “second law” it does not repeat the earlier Law. We find in it no record of the laws concerning the priests and Levites and their work.
WITHIN THE BOOK…
The key word in Deuteronomy is “remember” (8:2), and the key thought is obedience. If the Israelites obeyed their God, they would know His blessing. Time and again this theme emerges. Sadly, they failed to remember (Ps.106:7) and therefore fell short of the blessing that could have been theirs. Like the Apostle Paul much later who found safety in repetition, Moses often repeated his themes (cf. Philippians 3:1). He knew how easily we can forget basic, simple truths.
The role of Moses is significant in Deuteronomy. As a preacher he addressed “all Israel” (1:1) and relayed to the people “all that the LORD had given him in commandment” (1:3). Still today it is vital for a preacher to recognize that he is God’s mouthpiece and is responsible to pass on a message that he has been given. The main theme in Moses’ preaching concerned the people’s commitment to their God. When they entered Canaan the enemy must be overcome and idols must be driven out. If this did not happen, problems would remain for God’s people.
The opening verses also reveal a sobering fact. The journey from Egypt to Canaan by this vast throng could have been completed comfortably in eleven days, but it had taken them 40 years (1:2)! The simple reason for this was disobedience. Unbelief kept them out of Canaan and caused them to wander in the wilderness for years. They appear to have gone around in circles, as it were, until all the original warriors who had left Egypt were dead (2:16). But enough time had been wasted. The Lord their God told them that very fact through Moses (1:6). It was time to move on.
There is a challenge for us today in this. How often we can spend years of our lives “treading water” and getting nowhere. The Lord wants to move us on – with Him. God is faithful and keeps His promises. Our responsibility is to trust Him.
The first four chapters of Deuteronomy bring before us many lessons from history. They are followed by a lengthy section enumerating responsibilities for God’s people. Chapters 27-30 concern the covenant that God was making with His people. The last four chapters deal with a programme for the future: Joshua was appointed as the nation’s new leader, and Moses pronounced a blessing upon each tribe before climbing the mountain where he would die. Although aged 120, the sight and natural strength of this remarkable man had not failed (34:7).
Like the Israelites, we must remember the past. We should also recall how the Lord Jesus Christ loved this book of Deuteronomy. This will give us encouragement to read its pages for ourselves.