At the end of the forty years of wilderness travel by the Israelites, we record the final teachings of Moses. The is the fifth book of the Torah. It is called Deuteronomy (Greek for "Second Law"), as it reviews and repeats, for a second time, the giving of the Law at Sinai.
The book has roughly three parts. In the first eleven chapters, Moses speaks to the younger generation that will invade Canaan. He reviews the history of the last forty years, years during which they have been growing up while their parents have been dying.
In the next chapters, Moses reviews the Law. This section elaborates on the Ten Commandments. For example, the Fifth Commandment, on honoring one's parents, leads to decrees related to other leadership structures, whether to priests, prophets or kings. The Sixth Commandment, regarding murder, is consistent with a number of decrees related to manslaughter, accidental death or unsolved murder. A series of decrees on sexual behavior and abuse are naturally connected to the Seventh Commandment, regarding adultery. The Eighth Commandment, regarding theft, leads to a variety of decrees on other ways one might cheat a neighbor, without stealing material objects. Some decrees, regarding taking care of the property of a neighbor, represent positive versions of the command to not covet.
In the third portion of the book, Moses issues a final challenge, Israel ratifies the covenant, Moses sings a worship song and then dies on Mount Nebo.
Outline of the Book
Below is an attempt at an outline of the book, based on my own reading and Currid's commentary.
I. Prologue, chapters 1-11
A. Review of the Exodus, chapters 1-3
B. Call to Affirm the Covenant, 4-11
1. Review of Ten Commandments, 4-5
2. Decrees based on the First Commandment, 6-11
II. Terms of the Covenant, chapters 12-26
A. Decrees based on the Second Commandment, chapter 12
B. Decrees based on the Third Commandment, 13-14
C. Decrees based on the Fourth Commandment, 14-16
D. Decrees based on the Fifth Commandment, 16-18
E. Decrees based on the Sixth Commandment, 19-22
F. Decrees based on the Seventh Commandment, 22-23
G. Decrees based on the Eighth Commandment, 23-24
H. Decrees based on the Ninth and Tenth Commandments, 24-26
III. Conclusion, chapters 27-34
A. Blessings and Curses of the Covenant, chapters 27-28
B. Oath of the Covenant, 29-30
C. Witnesses of the Covenant, 31
D. Hymn Summarizing the Covenant, 32
E. Final Blessing of Moses, 33
F. Death of Moses, 34
Questions
Any modern reader will find Deuteronomy difficult. It appears to be a collection of laws and rules, some unmotivated, all embedded in an ancient Near East culture grounded in an agricultural tribal society. From the beginning, a question for the modern reader who follows in the Jewish or Christian tradition: "What role does the Law have today?" As we get further into the book, especially around chapter 14, one can ask a more specific question: "Why were the Jews given these strange dietary laws?"
I will take a stab at answering these questions in two separate Sunday essays. The first of those essays has already been published during our reading of Exodus. (A simplistic answer is that the "law" portion of Deuteronomy is an expansion of the principles sketched by the Ten Commandments.) The second essay will be published on a Sunday near our reading of Deuteronomy 14 (April 30, 2023.)
References
In addition to occasionally reading the text in the translation, The Five Books of Moses, by Robert Alter, I will also use two commentaries. One is by John Currid, Deuteronomy (Evangelical Press Study Commentary, 2006, see here) and the other is by Peter Craigie, The Book of Deuteronomy (The New International Commentary on the Old Testament, 1976, here.) These two books are part of a collection of five commentaries recommended by Ligonier Ministries (see here.)
Currid is the commentary I go to first for insight into the various laws. Currid argues that Deuteronomy fits the format of an ancient Near East treaty and could be interpreted as a treaty between YHWH and the nation He rules. (Bruce Baugus makes this point in a blog post here.) As we work through the book of Deuteronomy, I will try to point out insights Currid provides from this viewpoint.
As always, there is an awesome short introduction from the Bible Project.
There are online commentaries provided by EasyEnglishBible, a charity based in the United Kingdom. They have two online commentaries on Deuteronomy:
- Preparation for a New Life, by Ian Mackervoy
- God's law of Love, by Philip Smith
These commentaries are easy to read, with deliberately simple language intended for those for whom English is a second language. The Old Testament text is included in the commentary.
Other online references include a commentary by J. Gary Millar of The Gospel Coalition. The Gospel Coalition also has an online course on Deuteronomy here.
I have looked for classes on Deuteronomy of the calibre of Ime's class on Exodus (available through the Bible Project) but have not found any.
Format
The format I've selected for this blog is always centered on the Old Testament text, from the New International Version (NIV), italicized in blue. At the head of each blue paragraph of text I place a short title; after the text I place my thoughts or comments in black. (Those are my own reactions, with some gleanings from commentaries. Feel free to disagree -- or to react in other ways!) I place hyperlinks in pink, created so that one can click on a link and see the linked site open in another window. (One pleasure of the blog is that I can create numerous hyperlinks, leading off into various rabbit holes!)
The real goal of this blog is to force me to read every verse thoughtfully. My comments are part of that process, creating a certain accountability for me in this study. I hope that you, too, read the passages thoughtfully!
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