Meandering Though the Torah -

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy is a supplementary book to the rest of the Torah and fills a role similar to that of the Gospel of John compared to the Synoptic Gospels. It fills in missing elements and gives the spiritual significance of the history found in the other books of Moses. Genesis to Numbers portray God’s ways, Deuteronomy reveals God’s love. The emphasis on God’s love in this book (4:37; 7:7-8; 10:15; 23:5) was a crucial step for Israel’s understanding. Deuteronomy was perhaps Christ’s favourite book., He quoted from it often (Matt 4:4,7,10; 22:37,38; Mark 7:10; 10:19; 12:29,30)

Moses wrote it to encourage the people to believe and obey God in order to receive His blessings. “Beware lest you forget” is a key theme. Moses emphasizes the danger of forgetfulness because it leads to arrogance and disobedience. They must remember two things: (1) When they prosper, it is God who has caused it. (2) When they disobey God, He will discipline them as He did when the previous generation failed to believe Him at Kadesh-barnea.

Deuteronomy is a call to obedience as a condition to blessing. God has always been faithful to His covenant and He now extends it to the new generation. Deuteronomy is a covenantal renewal document that uses the same format as Near Eastern treaties in the time of Moses.

 

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