Loris First Baptist Church “Through The Bible In One Year” Introduction to “The Book of Deuteronomy” 1. Deuteronomy gets its name from the Greek words “deuteros” (i.e. “second”) and “nomos” (i.e. “law”). So, in this Book we have a second giving of the law to the nation of Israel – specifically the 2nd generation, which grew up in the wilderness journeys, as God was preparing them to enter the Promised Land (“because” the first generation was not allowed to enter due to “disbelief”). 2. Deuteronomy is considered a book of Transitions: a. Transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua. b. Transition from heading to the Promised Land to possessing it. c. Transition of focus from wilderness to land flowing with milk and honey. d. Transition from the holiness of God to the love of God: 1. God’s “love” is first mentioned in the Bible in the book of Deuteronomy. 2. See Deuteronomy 4:37, 7:7-8, 10:15, and 23:5. 3. Deuteronomy consists of a series of farewell messages by Israel’s 120 year old leader, Moses: a. He reiterates to the nation of Israel the importance of Obeying the Lord. b. He reminds the nation of Israel that there are consequences to Disobedience. c. He restates the Lord’s Covenant conditions with Israel (Deut 10:12-13; Deut 30:19-20). d. He ratifies the Covenant between God and Israel (Deut 27:9). 4. The book of Deuteronomy can be divided into three major parts: a. Moses’ First Sermon (Deut 1- Deut 4:43): “What God Has Done for Israel” 1) The Moral Judgment of God upon Israel’s Unbelief 2) The Deliverance and Provision of God during times of Obedience b. Moses’ Second Sermon (Deut 4:44 - Deut 26): “What God Expects of Israel” 1) Introduction to the Law of God (Deut 4:44-49) 2) Exposition of the Decalogue (Deut 5:1 – 11:32) 3) Exposition of Additional Laws (Deut 12:1 – 26:19) c. Moses’ Third Sermon (Deut 27:1 – Deut 34:12): “What God Will Do for Israel” 1) Ratification of the Covenant in Canaan (Deut 27:1 – 28:68) 2) Institution of the Palestinian Covenant (Deut 29:1 – 30:20) 3) Transition of the Covenant Mediator (Deut 31:1 – 34:12) 5. Author of the book of Numbers is Moses, according to: a. Internal Evidence (Deut 1:1; Deut 1:5; Deut 4:44; Deut 29:1; Deut 31:9, 22, 24) b. Old Testament (Judges 3:4; 1Kings 8:53; 2Kings 14:6; Ezra 3:2; Neh 1:7; Psalm 103:7) c. New Testament (Acts 3:22; Rom 10:19; 1Cor 9:9) d. Jesus Christ (Matt 19:7-8; Mark 7:10; Mark 10:3-5; Luke 20:28; John 5:46-47) 6. The book of Deuteronomy was written somewhere between around 1406, at the very end of Israel’s “wilderness journeys”. 7. The book of Deuteronomy was written for three major Purposes: a. Historical Purpose: To prepare the 2nd generation of Israelites for their entrance into the promised land. Moses told them to remember their lessons from history, obey the laws of God, rededicate their lives to God, and to be encouraged by the promises (and warnings) of God. b. Doctrinal Purpose: Teaches all of Mankind at least 2 things: 1) How the believer is to live a victorious life through the conquering of all the enemies, trials, and temptations that confront the believer day by day. 2) The importance of rededicating our lives to God, by renewing our commitment to obey Him and keep the covenant made with Him through Christ. c. Christological Purpose: Use various things throughout the book to point to Jesus Christ: 1) Jesus Christ is the Great Prophet who is to come (Deut 18:18-19). 2) Jesus Christ will restore Israel to greatness in the future (Deut 30:3). .