What makes Deuteronomy special?
The name Deuteronomy
comes from a Greek word meaning "second law." Those who prepared the
Greek version of the Old Testament (the Septuagint) thought the "copy
of God's law" in Deuteronomy 17:18 was a "second law." But, Deuteronomy
is not to be understood as a "second law." Rather, it is a retelling or
renewal of the collection of laws God gave Moses on Mount Sinai. The
Hebrew title of the book, "These are the words (that Moses spoke),"
more correctly sums up what Deuteronomy is all about. The "words" are a
series of speeches that Moses made to the people of Israel just before
his death while overlooking the promised land of Canaan from across the
Jordan River.
Deuteronomy is located at an important place in
the Old Testament. It is the fifth and concluding book in the section
of the Bible known as The Law, or Torah, which means "teaching."
Deuteronomy continues the story of God's people that began in Exodus,
Leviticus, and Numbers. The LORD chose the people of Israel, brought
them out of slavery in Egypt, and at Sinai gave to them and their
leader Moses the laws and commandments that they were to live by. In
this way, Deuteronomy looks backward, emphasizing what the Lord has
already done. But the words of Moses also look forward and are meant to
be the teaching that will guide his generation of Israelites in their
new life in Canaan and future generations as well. God's agreement with
the people of Israel, as presented in Deuteronomy, forms the basis of
and provides an introduction to the history of Israel found in the
books of Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, and 1 and 2 Kings.
Why was Deuteronomy written?
Deuteronomy
is presented as Moses' last words to the generation of Israelites who
are ready to enter the promised land of Canaan. Though Moses has
traditionally been seen as the book's author, the final form of the
book also applies the traditions of Moses and the Law to the religious
and political situations of a later time. This is done in two ways.
First, Israel can use the message of Deuteronomy to judge its national
successes and failures: Obeying the terms of God's agreement with
Israel will result in good fortune; disobedience will bring death and
destruction. Second, Deuteronomy repeats this key point throughout the
book: God has chosen Israel out of love, so Israel should respond to
this love by loving God in return and by remaining faithful to the
terms of God's agreement with Israel.
What's the story behind the scene?
The
book of 2 Kings tells the story of a great reform in Israel in 621 B.C.
(2 Kings 22,23). While workers were repairing the temple in Jerusalem,
they found a book of the Law. When King Josiah of Judah heard what it
had to say, he tore his clothes in sorrow and called together the older
leaders of the people. Josiah realized that the people had not been
following the Law, so he ordered reforms suggested by the law book.
These reforms included breaking down and burning all the altars,
shrines, and high places honoring gods other than the LORD God of
Israel. Most biblical scholars believe that Josiah's law book was the
book we know as Deuteronomy, or at least its middle section
(Deuteronomy 12-26).
Where did the law book come from,
and how did it end up in storage in the temple? This is not clear. Some
scholars think that the ancient writings were brought to Jerusalem by
Levite priests who were running away from Assyrian persecution in the
north sometime during the reign of King Manasseh (687-642 B.C.). What
does this have to say about when Deuteronomy was written? Though much
of the material in Deuteronomy may date back to the time of Moses, it
was likely put in its present form by scribes and editors who lived
centuries later.
How is Deuteronomy constructed?
The following outline divides the book into five major sections, based primarily on the speeches of Moses:
Setting the scene (1:1-5a)
The first speech: Moses reviews the past (1:5b-4:43)
- God's faithfulness in the wilderness (1:5b-3:29)
- Challenge to hear the word of the LORD (4:1-43)
The second speech: Moses tells what the LORD demands (4:44-29:1)
- Love God and obey God's laws (4:44-11:31)
- How to live as God's people (12:1-26:15)
- Renewing the agreement (26:16-29:1)
The third speech: Israel must keep its agreement with the Lord (29:2-30:20)
Final speeches and the death of Moses (31:1-34:12)
- A leader for the people and a place for the Law (31:1-29)
- The song and the blessing of Moses (31:30-33:29)
- Moses dies (34:1-12)
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