Episode Transcript
Deuteronomy
This is the final book in the Pentateuch.
John MacArthur writes : The English title “Deuteronomy” comes from the Greek Septuagint (LXX) mistranslation of “copy of this law” in Deut 17:18 as “second law,” which was rendered Deuteronomium in the Latin version (Vulgate). The Hebrew title of the book is translated “These are the words,” from the first two Hebrew words of the book. The Hebrew title is a better description of the book since it is not a “second law,” but rather the record of Moses’ words of explanation concerning the law. Deuteronomy completes the five-part literary unit called the Pentateuch.
Deuteronomy was written around 1406 BC, at the end of the forty years of wandering endured by the nation of Israel. At the time, the people were camped on the east side of the Jordan River, on the plains of Moab, across from the city of Jericho (Deuteronomy 1:1; 29:1). They were on the verge of entering the land that had been promised centuries earlier to their forefathers (Genesis 12:1, 6–9). The children who had left Egypt were now adults, ready to conquer and settle the Promised Land. Before that could happen, the Lord reiterated through Moses His covenant with them. Moses was on Mount Nebo. (I was just there on the Canaan side of the Dead Sea)
Moses begins by reviewing the events of Israel’s journey from Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab. It contains Moses’ last three sermons and two prophetic poems about Israel’s future. Reflecting on the nation’s past mistakes, Moses urges the people not to repeat those errors when they enter the Promised Land. Possessing Canaan will fulfill the promises made to the patriarchs, but if the people fall into idolatry or fail to keep the law, they will be exiled.
In Deuteronomy, Moses urges Israel to trust and obey, and to conquer the land.
He highlights: God’s uniqueness (e.g., ch. 4), his power over other nations and armies (e.g., 2:1–23), and his grace and faithfulness. He reminds the people that God promised the land, that God’s gift of the land is undeserved (9:4–6), and that the land is full of good things (e.g., 6:10–12). Moses emphasizes the importance of God’s law, given at Sinai (e.g., see 5:1–3). The large central section of Deuteronomy (12:1–26:19) recites the law and urges Israel to keep it.
The law is wide ranging, incorporating all areas of life (economics, family and sexual relationships, religious observance, leadership, justice, guidance, food, property, and warfare).
Importance:
Leviticus emphasizes the role of the priests, Deuteronomy emphasizes the role of the people, specifically linking obedience with blessing. (cp Dt 28:2) As Spurgeon said “Believing and obeying always run side by side. Faith and obedience are bound up in the same bundle. He that obeys God, trusts God; and he that trusts God, obeys God.” He adds that in the New Covenant “though salvation is not by the works of the law, yet the blessings which are promised to obedience are not denied to the faithful servants of God. The curses our Lord took away when He was made a curse for us, but no clause of blessing has been abrogated.”
In Deuteronomy 6:23 under the Old Covenant Moses declared that God “brought (them) out…in order to bring (them) in” & to give them a LAND, In the New Covenant, Jesus brought us “out of darkness into His marvelous light” in order to give us a LIFE to our mortal bodies and “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” (1Pet 2:9-note, Ro 8:11-note, Eph 1:3-note). A land in the OT, a life in the NT!
Deuteronomy is a book of transition: (1) to a new generation; (2) to a new possession; (3) to a new experience, a new life – houses not tents, settled not wandering, milk and honey not manna; (4) to a new revelation of God, of His love. (Genesis to Numbers hint of the love of God (Eliezer, Moses, God - only a handful of times) but now we read the wonderful words in Dt 4:37 “Because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their descendants after them. And He personally brought you from Egypt by His great power.” “The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the LORD loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the LORD brought you out by a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of slavery…) (Dt. 7:7-8, 10:15, 23:5)
Key Words: Heart (49x/45v), Love (24x/23v), Listen (31x/31v), Obey/obedient (15x), Observe (26x), Keep (32x/30v), Purge (remove) the evil (10x/10v), Remember (15x), Forget/forgotten (13x), Command (-ed, -ment, -ments) (127x, 98v), Covenant (27x/26v), Bless/blessed/blessing (50x/45v), Life (19x/15v), Curse(s)/cursed/cursing (34x/32v), Death (23x/19v), Fear (25x/25v), Carefully (8x), Shall not (128x/116v), LORD spoke (9x), LORD will (34x/34v), LORD your God (279x/239v), Lord our God (22x/21v), Nation(s) (46x/41v),
Key Themes
I. God’s uniqueness (4:1–40).
II. Israel’s election as God’s chosen people (4:37–38; 7:6–8; 10:14–15; 14:2).
III. The land’s goodness (1:25; 6:10–11; 8:7–13; 11:8–15).
IV. God’s faithfulness and promise-keeping (1:8, 19–46; 7:1–26; 8:1–20; 9:1–10:11).
V. God’s power to defeat the enemies in the land (2:1–3:11; 4:1–40; 7:1–26).
VI. Exhortations to Israel to love, serve, fear, and obey God (6:5; 10:12–13; 13:4).
VII. Warnings against idolatry and instruction for proper worship of God (4:9–31; 5:6–10; 7:1–5;
8:19–20; 12:1–32; 13:1–18).
VIII. The impact of God’s laws (12:1–27:26).
IX. Moses’ imminent death (1:37; 3:26; 4:21; 32:51; 34:1–12).
The subtitle could be, “farewell instructions for a nation.” Two major events form the substance of Deuteronomy: (1) the sermons that Moses delivers, effecting a renewal of the covenant, and (2) the passing of the leadership from Moses to Joshua (succession narrative). This book forms the final volume in the biography of Moses, which begins with his birth in Exodus 2 and ends with his death in Deuteronomy 34.
Ethics:
The ceremonial law, the moral law, and the judicial law
Moral law still applies
There are abiding principles for Christian ethical behavior. Sometimes those OT principles are modified in the NT; often they are reinforced. For instance, the sacrificial system finds its fulfillment in the cross of Christ, but the principles of OT sacrifice are still instructive for Christians.
As a further example, the laws that define sexual morality and the principles underlying those laws are unchanged in the NT. Indeed, Jesus shows the deeper intent of the laws on sexual matters in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:27–30).
The laws in Deuteronomy on warfare are not repeated for the NT church because God’s people are no longer a nation and physical land is not the promise (1 Pet. 1:4). The principles of maintaining the holiness of God’s people and of God judging sin remain unchanged.
Why Should we Read Deuteronomy?
Abner Chou, President - TMU - The Master's University wrote “I once had someone ask me, “Why bother study Deuteronomy when all you really need to know is that you must love God with all your heart?”
I replied, “Do you know where in Scripture that is found?” “No,”
It’s found in Deuteronomy.”
Jesus quotes Deuteronomy in all 4 Gospels:
Many are familiar with Jesus’ quotes from the book of Deuteronomy when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Deut 6:13, 16, 8:3; Matt 4:4, 7, 10; Luke 4:4, 8, 12).
When summing up the law and the prophets: love God, and love your neighbor as yourself (Deut 6:5; Matt 22:37; Mark 12:29-33; Luke 10:27).
When citing the Ten Commandments (Deut 5:7, 6:13, Matt 4:10; Luke 4:8; Deut 5:16; Matt 15:4-9; 19:19; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Deut 5:17; Matt 5:21-22; 19:18; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Deut 5:18; Matt 5:27-28; 19:18; Mark 10:11-12, 19; Luke 16:18; 18:20; Deut 5:20; Matt 19:18; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Deut 5:21; Luke 12:15; Deut 6:4-5, Mark 12:29-30; Deut 6:5, Matt 22:37)
When discussing divorce (Deut 24:1-3; Matt 5:31, 19:7; Mark 10:4).
When defining church discipline (Deut 19:15; Matt 18:16).
When telling that man is to fear God (Deut 6:13, Matt 4:10, Luke 4:8; Deut 6:16, Matt 4:7, Luke 4:12).
When telling that man is to live by the Word of God (Deut 8:3, Matt 4:4, Luke 4:4) and to keep his word (Deut. 19:16-19, Matt 5:33).
Deuteronomy is not a book of obscure rules. The topic is one of the most critical issues—what it means to love God.
As believers, we cannot afford to take for granted the definition of “loving God.”
What does it truly mean to love God? We need to ensure we love God in the way He has dictated. And Deuteronomy is the book that defines what it means to love God.
Deuteronomy starts with foundational truths about loving God. Israel’s history - Moses lists important truths concerning their relationship with God.
We see that a generation of Israelites died in the wilderness because they did not believe God (Deut 1:32). Faith is foundational for Israel (cf. Gen 15:6). No one can love God without first believing Him.
One of the greatest threats to obedience and love. Forgetting God (Deut 4:9). Forgetting simply means to not remember. In essence, all you need to do to forget is to do nothing. Failing to stay vigilant and to prioritize God leads to not loving God or losing our love we had at first.
Moses tells of the antidote to this danger. He commands that Israel "...make them [God’s statutes] known to your sons and your grandsons" (Deut 4:9b). We fight forgetfulness by teaching. As we continually labor to make Him known, we remember who He is and what He has told us. By doing so, we defend against apathy and waywardness.
True Love for God
In chapter 6, Moses writes, “Now this is the commandment.” (Deut 6:1). Commandment is singular. Moses will later discuss commandments and statutes (Deut 12:1), but here he addresses a single command. Love is the commandment at the heart of the law, the very core of what God desires.“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deut 6:4–5).
These verses shatter our perceptions about law and love. Some think the law requires simple, obedience of performance. However, that is not what Moses says.
At the core of the law is love for the one true God.
Living for God is loving God.
Deut 6-11. Loving God means to hate what He hates (Deut 7). Embracing what God hates is an act of hatred to Him; it is spiritual adultery (cf. Deut 7:1-4).
Loving God means to abandon pride and self-reliance (Deut 8).
We cannot delight in God when we believe we are entitled to what He has given us (cf. Deut 9:4).
Moses concludes that God ultimately requires a love that fears God and keeps His commandments (Deut 10:12-13). This is the exact language found in Eccl 12:13. When writing about what one must ultimately learn about the purpose of life, Solomon drew from Deuteronomy.
The Ten Commandments and Loving God
Moses has preached about the nature of love for God. He now illustrates it. Deut 12-26 are not filled with random laws; these laws expound upon the Ten Commandments. Deuteronomy 12-26 shows how to live out these commands, and honor God.
Believers today are not under Israel’s law (Rom 6:14), we have much to learn from it.
1. Have no other gods before Him (Deut 12)
He is only One, and He alone deserves our fear, service, and undivided worship. Worship must deliberately and clearly reflect the exclusive nature of God. He alone is in His own category.
2. Do not make for yourself an idol (Deut 13)
We cannot put anything on the same level as God, and we cannot bring Him down to us. Distorting His nature by making Him like creation when He is the Creator brings death (Deut 13).
3. Do not take the Lord’s name in vain (Deut 14)
We were created to uphold the character of God. God has revealed who He is in Scripture, and our lives must consistently reflect
that. That includes the most dramatic (how they handle a loved one’s death) and the most mundane (the foods that they eat on a
daily basis) moments of life.
4. Honor the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy (Deut 14-16)
This was a gift to man. We need rest. We image God when we rest after our work.
5. Honor your father and mother (Deut 16-18)
We need to respect and submit to all human authorities because they act with
God-given authority.
6. Do not murder (Deut 19-21)
In positive terms, we preserve life because our God is the God of life.
7. Do not commit adultery (Deut 22-23)
We uphold purity because our God is holy and pure.
8. Do not steal (Deut 23-24)
9. Do not bear false witness against your neighbor (Deut 24-25)
This law fights against the perversion of justice.
10. Do not covet (Deut 25-26)
This demands not only a recognition of the sovereignty of God, but also a submission to it. We should not strive in our hearts for more than what He, in His infinite wisdom, has given us.
Love Fulfilled
Love for God is more than a mere feeling. We should pursue His desires in every aspect of life, whether that be our time, money, worship, holiness, business, or treatment of others. All of these areas can and must be an act of devotion to our God. That is how God defines love. That is even how He defines obedience. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15). Loving God and prioritizing His desires are inseparable. This is not legalism. Law without love is legalism.
Christ-Connection & Gospel
Moses explains that in and of themselves, Israel can never truly love God (Deut 29:4). He told them they would fail. However, God will one day circumcise their heart so they can love Him wholeheartedly (Deut 30:6). God raising up a prophet like Moses (Deut. 18:15 “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen— 16 just as you desired of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’ 17 And the Lord said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. 19 And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.Deut 34:10).
John 5:39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from people. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”
Luke 24:25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Deuteronomy anticipates a time when One, like Moses, will ascend a mountain in order to give a new law. Unlike the words of Moses, which concentrated on curse, Blessing comes through Christ - “Blessed” (Matt 5:3). He is the bringer of the New Covenant, which makes hearts new (cf. Jer 31:31; Lk 22:20). He establishes this New Covenant through His broken body and shed blood.
Deuteronomy points to the future, a future which fulfills the love defined in Deuteronomy, a future fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Application:
We love God because He first loved us.
We must love His word!
Trust and obey…
