Grace Institute: The Torah :Deuteronomy Introduction

Deuteronomy Survey of the Old Testament: The Torah Fall 2004

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Introduction

Background

Name: Deuteronomy means “second law-giving” and reflects that this is a reiteration of the law from Moses to the Israelites. The Hebrew name for the bo ok is “These are the Words,” referring to words which Moses spoke in this farewell address.

Author: Primarily Moses (31:9, 22, 24), although there are frequent commentaries on Moses words (e.g. 2:20-23, 3:13-14) as well as an epilogue (34:1-12) which was written by another (most likely Joshua ).

Date Written: 1410 BC.

Audience: A new generation of Israelites who are ready to enter the Promised Land, 40 years after their parents escaped from slavery in Egypt .

Structure

Deuteronomy contains three addresses given by Moses to Deuteronomy and an epilogue:

•  First address: 1:1 - 4:43. Moses recounts their history.

•  Second address: 4:44 – 26:19. Moses reiterates the law.

•  Third address: 27:1 – 30:20. Moses reaffirms the covenant.

•  In the epilogue, Moses prepares to leave the Israelites.

These addresses were arranged to follow the structure of the near eastern suzerain-vassal treaty (see notes on Exodus, page 14).

Purpose

Israel stan ds poised to enter the Promised Land. Forty years after the exodus from Egypt , the nation is about to cross the Jo rdan R i v e r to conquer Canaan . Moses , howe ver, is about to die and will not go with the nation into the land. Deuteronomy is Moses ' farewell address to the nation.

Moses farewell address is a passionate plea for the nation to obey the commandments of God so that it will go will with them in their new land (6:1-3, 17-19). The address reminds the people of who their God is (6:4) and what He has done for them (6:10-12, 20-23). Moses implores the people to pass these commandments on to the next generations (6:6-9).

Finally, The address reminds the people of their obligations under the covenant (6:5, 13-16, 23-24). Deuteronomy serves a reaffirmation of the covenant between God and Israel . In Exodus, God established a covenant with their parents. Now that generation has died off, and the covenant must be reaffirmed with this new generation (29:12-13).

Theme

An appeal for Israel to remember and keep their covenant with God so that it may be well with them when they enter the Promised Land (6:17-18).