DEUTERONOMY BOOK OVERVIEW
OLD TESTAMENT LAW: MOSES LEADS THE NEW GENERATION
While the Israelites traveled in the wilderness towards the land that God had established for them, Moses shared God’s law with the new generation. Because the previous generation was rebellious, they died before they could enter the Promised Land. Although Moses was a faithful leader, he would also not be allowed to enter the promised land.
The new generation of Israelites consisted of the children of those who witnessed the Passover and crossed the Red Sea. This generation had not experienced God’s miracles firsthand but heard about them from the previous generation. Moses reminded them of God’s goodness and urged them to keep the covenant and obey the law. Moses knew they would face many challenges in their new land and attempted to set up the new generation for success and faithfulness.
Moses gave the new generation the laws and instructions from God for how to live in righteousness. Focusing on God’s faithfulness and Israel’s failures, Moses recalled many stories from Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers to the new generation of Israelites. Told through a series of three sermons, Deuteronomy is an expansion on the original law that Moses received from God on Mount Sinai and a reminder for the new generation to remain steadfast.
MAIN IDEAS: PREPARING TO ENTER THE PROMISED LAND
Moses recalled God’s past faithfulness to encourage the new generation. (Deuteronomy 1:30)
Despite not entering the Promised Land, Moses viewed God as merciful. (Deuteronomy 4:31)
Moses recited God’s laws to the Israelites, encouraging hopefulness. (Deuteronomy 12-26)
Obeying God brought the Israelites blessings + disobeying led to curses. (Deuteronomy 28)
EXAMPLE OF GOD’S CHARACTER: PURPOSEFUL LAWMAKER
Many laws in this section may seem outdated or irrelevant, but they hold cultural and spiritual significance. These laws are referenced throughout Scripture, reinforcing the role they play in God’s overall narrative.
In Deuteronomy 24:19, God provided a specific law that instructed the Israelites not to fully gather their harvest, but to leave some to be gleaned by those in need. Much later, in the book of Ruth, this law was referenced again. Boaz, a faithful man who diligently kept this law, served Ruth and Naomi in their time of need. Ruth and Boaz would later become a part of the lineage of Jesus! Without this law, they may have never met. Although God’s laws may seem arbitrary, they serve a greater purpose.
In Matthew 4, Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. To combat the enemy, Jesus recited Scripture found in Deuteronomy 6 and Deuteronomy 8. Jesus knew God’s Word and utilized its truth in a time of desperate need.
JESUS IN DEUTERONOMY: THE CURSE OF THE TREE
Deuteronomy 21:22-23 explains that anyone who is put to death by being hung on a tree is cursed by God. Thousands of years later, the apostle Paul referenced this law in Galatians 3:13: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ’Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.’” Jesus took the curse for humanity to atone for the sins of those who love God. Jesus, the only person who did not deserve the consequences of sin, took on death on the cross to make a way for reconciliation between a perfect God and an imperfect humanity.
