A good theme for Deuteronomy is “Second Chances”. Because of God’s great love for us sinful human beings, He never gives up on us until we reach a certain point; that point may be death for the individual or, as with Israel, it may take more than two thousand years from God’s covenant with Abraham until the destruction of Israel in 73 A.D.
The key passage for understanding Deuteronomy is chapters 6-8. In chapter 6, Moses tells the people of the blessings and riches they will receive if they love and obey God and teach their children to do the same. “These are the commands, decrees, and regulations that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you. You must obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy,2 and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life.3 Listen closely, Israel, and be careful to obey. Then all will go well with you, and you will have many children in the land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.” Deut 6:1-3 (NLT). In chapter 7, Moses describes the reason God chose them from all the people in the world at that time and why He will continue to bless them for generations to come. “6 For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.7 “The Lord did not set his heart on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations!8 Rather, it was simply that the Lord loves you, and he was keeping the oath he had sworn to your ancestors. That is why the Lord rescued you with such a strong hand from your slavery and from the oppressive hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.9 Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.10 But he does not hesitate to punish and destroy those who reject him.11 Therefore, you must obey all these commands, decrees, and regulations I am giving you today.” Deut 7:6-11 (NLT). In chapter 8, Moses explains why God humbled the people for forty years of wonderings in the wilderness and explains how they will either keep or lose His blessings. “18 Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.19 “But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed.20 Just as the Lord has destroyed other nations in your path, you also will be destroyed if you refuse to obey the Lord your God.” Deut 8:18-20 (NLT).
Outline
- 1A. Introduction 1:1-5
- 2A. Forty years of lost time 1:6-3:29
- 3A. Explanation of the law and its purpose 4:1-26:19
- 4A. New beginning in the promised land 27:1-30:20
5A. New leadership takes over 31:1-34:12A key verse for Deuteronomy is 29 “The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions.” Deut 29:29 (NLT).