Deuteronomy

An Outline

Bible books contents
Background    Key verses  Chapter Outline.  Miscellaneous

Background

This is the fifth and final book of Moses. Its  name means  'The second law'; by that is meant that the laws at Mt. Sinai are repeated to the new Generation of  Israelites prior to their entry into the promised land. Moses rehearsed the law to this new generation in the plains of Moab (Dt.1:5).  He first  spoke the word to Israel, and afterward wrote them down.

These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red sea, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab.

Dt.1:1

And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,  Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.

Dt.31:24-26

Key  verse(s)

The  force of  Moses's words is that of obedience to God and His law, and someone has remarked that Deteronomy is a treatise on obedience.

And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,   To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?

Dt.10:12-13
 
God longed for obedience  Dt. 5:29,  because Israel was His own and loved them Dt. 7:7-8

Chapter Outline

Eight distinct discourses can be identified . The final chapter is  an account of Moses's death, and was more than likely added by some unknown scribe.

Discourse. Heading References. Notes.
1
 Looking Back
 Ch.1-4:43
 A look at Israel's past failures, and wilderness wanderings.
2
 Review
 Ch.4:44-26
 The  Sinai law reviewed. Note 5:22  He added  NO more.
3
 Warnings
 Ch.27-28
 The cursings and blessings of the law; note the ceremony to be performed on entrance to the promised land.
4
 Covenant
 Ch.29-30
 A covenant which God gave conditions under which Israel  was to enter Canaan
5.
 Counsels
 Ch. 31:1-23
 To: Israel, Joshua and the priests. Note  vv.19-21
6.
 Instructions
 Ch.31:24-29
 To the Levites regarding the law.
7.
 Song
 Ch.32
 v44 Joshua joined in!
8.
 Blessings
 Ch.33
 The Mosaic blessing to the tribes. Compare this with the Patriarchal blessing of Gen. 49.

Moses's death
 Ch.34
 Moses died at the age of 120, and his natural force was not abated, nor were his eyes dim.

Miscellaneous

It was from this book that Jesus quoted when confronting  the devil in the wilderness.  See  Mtt. 4:1-11 & Lk.4:1-13; Dt. 6:13,16; 8:3; 10:20>It contains the first reference to:
  1. Children of Belial   Ch. 13:13
  2. Death by hanging on a tree  Ch.21:22-23

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