Old Testament Bible Dictionary Project:

Deuteronomy

The book of Deuteronomy was authored by Moses and contains three speeches by him which include the “Song of Moses, the blessing fo Moses and the transition of leadership to Joshua.” Ed Hindson & Elmer L. Towns, Illustrated Bible Survey 81 (2013) As the final book of the Law, Deuteronomy completes the Torah scrolls written around “1405 BC at the end of the wilderness wanderings.” Hindson & Towns, supra 83 Within Deuteronomy there are some “narrative material” as well as “legal material,” but it is primarily of a “sermonic” writing of the law. Deuteronomy is divided into three divisions of past, preset and future where the beginning tells Israel’s history proceeding to the present where Israel’s laws are recorded into principles, priorities and practice. In the end the writings conclude with Israel’s destiny where their covenant was ratified and community was prepared. “Moses begins with his first sermon as a covenant renewal for the second generation who were born of the wilderness.” Hindson & Towns, supra 85 Through the recording of Israel’s laws, Moses’ second sermon “articulates the covenant law and its application.” Hindson & Towns, supra 85 The principles speak of loving God, which emphasizes a “matter of the heart.” Loving God was not just a ritual nor was it required, but it was and still is of “spiritual devotion” that would ultimately result in giving the “Israelites the land of Canaan as a gift of His grace.” Hindson & Towns, supra 86 The priorities of Israel’s covenant contained the laws as explained by Moses that the second generation would most likely encounter. Moses then strongly encourages the practice of the Covenant by the Israelites in remembering how God has blessed them. In Israel’s destiny, Moses continues by calling the Israelites to “ratify the covenant