The Books of Numbers and Deuteronomy Summaries!
In 2013, I felt challenged to read the entire Bible that year, but also provide and type or write out summaries of each book. Some of them are summaries of chapter by chapter. I was reminded of them this year, and I wanted to be obedient in sharing these with others. I really made an effort to detail each chapter for the first five books of the Bible. This post is for the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy.
I definitely do not remember ever having heard a sermon or lesson with any reference to this/it is interesting that God had provided a way for truth to be exposed in this way. -If the woman has been unfaithful to her husband she would drink the bitter water and her abdomen would swell and her womb would shrivel, as she would become infertile, this was the curse for the sin committed. If she hadn't sin, then nothing would happen to her, when she drank the bitter water.... He is a just God.
Chapter 8 begins with intro about the lamp stands...then addresses the role of the Levites and their sanctification for their tasks and assignments from the Lord. the Levites were separate/called apart. v. 14 says, "'thus you shall separate the Levites from among the sons of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine." the tasks assigned to this tribe were so significant and special that God set the Levites apart for their duties.
Chapter 9 addresses the 2nd Passover and special conditions of its observance if at all hindered (as with the specific case mentioned regarding uncleanliness because of a dead person). then, we read about the direction of God and His presence in the cloud. v. 23, "at the command of the Lord they camped, and at the command of the Lord they set out."
Instructions regarding the use of trumpets for alerting the people of gathering times and of war are included in chapter 10... along with a narrative of the movement of the people as the cloud moved them from the wilderness of Sinai.
--personal thoughts--
I just love how the Israelites were led by the cloud. I love the visual of that... another visual of the Lord's leading...as our Shepherd whom the sheep (His people) hear/recognizing His voice (from John 10).
Thank You, Lord, for leading us...thank You that we don't need to worry about direction or when or where/or what lies ahead...we just need to follow You...our cloud by day...our Shepherd.
Numbers 11-13
--Personal thoughts--
When I saw the subtitle in my Bible "the people complain," I really dreaded reading Chapter 11. But I read it... stomached it/haha... no pun intended regarding their complaints about food. But I’ve just been praying as I read... for conviction... for His voice in my heart and mind through His Word. And He is close as I think about this and pray..... actually I've had a calling on my life to preach since I was 19, at the age of 27 (September 2011) I believe God gave me my first message-sermon, titled: "Finding Relief in Sharing your burdens with God" based off of Numbers 11:17... I shared this message at a Ladies Bible Study November 2012...pretty cool huh?
--Old testament understanding--
We see in chapter 11 that the people were tired (and greedy!)... and they remembered times when they had other choices... Moses was tired as we see in verses 10-15. We see that Moses was provided seventy elders to assist him. And we see in chapter 11 that God responded to the people's complaints with meat... LOTS of it (first consequence of the sin of gluttony). These passages are telling of God's just character and judgment. Now, not only did God provide quail until it became "loathsome" to them (v 20)...but He struck them with a plague. And His justice was evident once again in Chapter 12, as He interacted with Miriam and Aaron and responded to their words against Moses...and Miriam ended up with leprosy.
Chapter 13 is important as it records the spies' obedience to "check out" the land that they would be going into.... Moses' instruction was to see what it was like/what the people were like/what the cities were like/what the fruit was like. and they reported back...that the land was wonderful (they brought back enormous fruit as instructed)...and they said it "certainly does flow with milk and honey"...but that the people were strong and the cities well-fortified. Caleb spoke out, however, and said that they should take possession of it (he wasn't afraid of the challenge).
--personal thoughts---
I am comforted in God's justice. I think we would've scratched our heads and wondered why God allowed the people to get away with greed if He hadn't punished them... of course we would have. His character is just. I am also comforted in His mercy. Miriam’s leprosy healed as Moses pleaded (12:13)....I am also filled with hope in Caleb’s courage. It is possible to be like Caleb (and Joshua) and not like the other fearful ten. it is possible to be like Moses...very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth (12:3) and not like those filled with discontent and greed.
Numbers 14-36
--old testament understanding--
This will be an overview of chapters 14-36. One of my favorite verses in Numbers is found in this 14th chapter, v18, "the Lord is slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression...." the second half of the verse speaks of His justice as well as His loving-kindness... "He will by no means clear the guilty...." and this chapter gives account of the Israelites' consequences as a result of their grumbling... that they (meaning that generation) would not be permitted to enter the Promised Land.
Chapter 32 records a decision made for Reuben and Gad to settle in Gilead (outside of Canaan) because of their large numbers of livestock... with the provision that they would fight for their brothers before settling down.
In chapters 1-4, Moses reviews some of the details of the past history of Israel such as the Exodus and the wandering in the wilderness. He then urges that they obey the Laws of God.
Then, in chapters 5-28, Moses restates the Ten Commandments to the Israelites. Moses explains the principles and instructions for living a Godly life as God’s chosen nation. These include how to love the Lord, laws of worship, laws regarding relationships (like divorce), and also the consequences and penalties if these laws are broken.
Chapters 29-30, there is a move to commit themselves, as a nation, and to stand apart unto God. This consists of not only knowing the many laws that God has commanded, but also obeying them and placing God first.
Finally, in chapters 31 through 34, we see the first change in leadership in Israel. Moses, the one who has been leading them the entire time, hands over his authority to Joshua, and commissions him. Moses blesses the tribes, which reminds us of Jacob blessing his sons almost 450 years earlier. In the last chapter, God shows Moses the Promised Land, although he cannot enter it, after this, Moses the servant of the Lord dies on Mount Nebo.
~~~~~~~
The Book of Numbers:
Author: Moses – Numbers takes its name from the two censuses (or “numberings”) of the people recorded in this book. Yet, the book of Numbers is actually a sequel to Exodus. It follows the wanderings of the Israelites through the wilderness of Sinai for the next forty years, until they camp just east of the Promised Land… yes, it deals with the journey of the Israelites from Mount Sinai to the edge of Canaan and their preparation to enter the land God had promised them. Because of Israel’s sin and unbelief, however, God did not allow them to settle there but made them wander in the wilderness for 40 years. After that time, they slowly made their way back to Canaan---this time ready to obey God’s commands. After winning some important battles to the east of the Jordan River, the Israelites prepared to enter the land itself.
Author: Moses – Numbers takes its name from the two censuses (or “numberings”) of the people recorded in this book. Yet, the book of Numbers is actually a sequel to Exodus. It follows the wanderings of the Israelites through the wilderness of Sinai for the next forty years, until they camp just east of the Promised Land… yes, it deals with the journey of the Israelites from Mount Sinai to the edge of Canaan and their preparation to enter the land God had promised them. Because of Israel’s sin and unbelief, however, God did not allow them to settle there but made them wander in the wilderness for 40 years. After that time, they slowly made their way back to Canaan---this time ready to obey God’s commands. After winning some important battles to the east of the Jordan River, the Israelites prepared to enter the land itself.
The theme of Numbers shows the continual faithfulness of God and the unbelievable sin of the people. Israel rejected God, but He remained true to His word, leading the people through the wilderness and providing for their needs. In the New Testament, the Christian life is likened to a wilderness that Christians must pass through on their way to heaven (See *Hebrews 3:7-9; 4:8-11)
~~~~~~
Intro to Numbers and Chapters 1-4
--Old Testament understanding--
According to my textbook, "numbers...is a complex story of unfaithfulness, rebellion, apostasy (abandonment of one’s religious-Christian faith), and frustration, set against the background of God's faithfulness, presence, provision, and forbearance." The book is divided into three main sections, sort of in three different geographical settings "to mark the main stages of the wilderness march." these sections are as follows: Sinai, Kadesh, and Moab. so, starting in this first section, (and specifically chapters 1-4)...we encounter preparations for departure from the wilderness. there is a first census of the people taken in chapter 1 (the Levites being exempted). Arrangement of the camps is recorded in chapter 2 and instructions for the duties of the priesthood (the Levites) in chapters 3 and 4. ---Originally, the book of numbers was untitled. Numbers was adopted by later translators because of its census lists. According to my reference text, "an obvious purpose of the book is to record the period from the encounter with God at Sinai to the preparations in Moab to enter the Promised Land. However, far more than this is involved..." It goes on to indicate that the journey from Sinai to Kadesh-Barnea on their route would normally have only taken eleven days, but that their voyage was a thirty-eight year period which was a consequence for their lack of faith..."none of the unbelieving generation was allowed to enter the land."
--personal thoughts--
My prayer in this quiet hour as I write... "Lord, increase my faith in Your character... in Your FAITHFULNESS. I feel sad for the Israelites' lack of faith in Your Word... I want to know You and Your closeness/Your character, and not just so that I won't miss something wonderful in my life/future (as the Israelites did with not being permitted to enter the land of Canaan "The Promised Land")... but so that I won't miss YOU, Father. You are faithful...thank You. Thank You for Your faithfulness to the Israelites, and thank You for Your consistent, never-ending, never-failing, perfect faithfulness to me, Lord. I love You. Amen."
Numbers, Chapter 5 opens with important instruction about lepers and others that are unclean to protect the camp. V3..."you shall send them outside the camp so that they will not defile their camp where I dwell in their midst." We see in this brief section more of God’s protection. And in the section following... instructions for restitution for when a man has confessed sin. And... regarding the rest of chapter 5, I can honestly say, I do not remember ever having read this! Or ever having knowledge of this "adultery test" or "protecting marital faithfulness" (NLT) as my Bible subtitles it.
~~~~~~
Intro to Numbers and Chapters 1-4
--Old Testament understanding--
According to my textbook, "numbers...is a complex story of unfaithfulness, rebellion, apostasy (abandonment of one’s religious-Christian faith), and frustration, set against the background of God's faithfulness, presence, provision, and forbearance." The book is divided into three main sections, sort of in three different geographical settings "to mark the main stages of the wilderness march." these sections are as follows: Sinai, Kadesh, and Moab. so, starting in this first section, (and specifically chapters 1-4)...we encounter preparations for departure from the wilderness. there is a first census of the people taken in chapter 1 (the Levites being exempted). Arrangement of the camps is recorded in chapter 2 and instructions for the duties of the priesthood (the Levites) in chapters 3 and 4. ---Originally, the book of numbers was untitled. Numbers was adopted by later translators because of its census lists. According to my reference text, "an obvious purpose of the book is to record the period from the encounter with God at Sinai to the preparations in Moab to enter the Promised Land. However, far more than this is involved..." It goes on to indicate that the journey from Sinai to Kadesh-Barnea on their route would normally have only taken eleven days, but that their voyage was a thirty-eight year period which was a consequence for their lack of faith..."none of the unbelieving generation was allowed to enter the land."
--personal thoughts--
My prayer in this quiet hour as I write... "Lord, increase my faith in Your character... in Your FAITHFULNESS. I feel sad for the Israelites' lack of faith in Your Word... I want to know You and Your closeness/Your character, and not just so that I won't miss something wonderful in my life/future (as the Israelites did with not being permitted to enter the land of Canaan "The Promised Land")... but so that I won't miss YOU, Father. You are faithful...thank You. Thank You for Your faithfulness to the Israelites, and thank You for Your consistent, never-ending, never-failing, perfect faithfulness to me, Lord. I love You. Amen."
Numbers, Chapter 5 opens with important instruction about lepers and others that are unclean to protect the camp. V3..."you shall send them outside the camp so that they will not defile their camp where I dwell in their midst." We see in this brief section more of God’s protection. And in the section following... instructions for restitution for when a man has confessed sin. And... regarding the rest of chapter 5, I can honestly say, I do not remember ever having read this! Or ever having knowledge of this "adultery test" or "protecting marital faithfulness" (NLT) as my Bible subtitles it.
I definitely do not remember ever having heard a sermon or lesson with any reference to this/it is interesting that God had provided a way for truth to be exposed in this way. -If the woman has been unfaithful to her husband she would drink the bitter water and her abdomen would swell and her womb would shrivel, as she would become infertile, this was the curse for the sin committed. If she hadn't sin, then nothing would happen to her, when she drank the bitter water.... He is a just God.
In chapter 6, we are introduced to the specifics of the Nazirite vow-taker... what a special vow/a significant season of life for the Nazirite...(he cannot cut his hair) to be set apart for the Lord.
And then, we read a blessing given through Moses/through Aaron and his sons to the sons of Israel... is it okay if I call this a random blessing? Beautiful. Just a beautiful blessing randomly between the specifics of the law. I just took the time to see where this blessing fits within the pages of the law. Between Exodus 20/the 10 commandments...and this blessing, there are 53 chapters and from this blessing to the end of Deuteronomy, there are 64 chapters...just wanted to see how close to the middle of these words/pages of the law it happened to fall... and Genesis/Exodus 1-20 is technically part of the Torah (first five books of the Bible) as well...just wanted to see how it fell in the midst of these instructional law passages... interesting to read this random and wonderful reminder of His love and blessing in the midst of the seriousness and gravity and importance and reverence of the law. Numbers 6:24-6 NLT... ‘May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.’
Numbers 7
--personal thoughts--
So, did anyone else think of the twelve days of Christmas as they were reading this chapter? On the first day of the offering, Nahshon presented... On the second day of the offering, Nathaniel presented... totals at the end of the chapter...twelve silver dishes, twelve silver bowls, twelve gold pans, etc. etc. lol...not to make light of this very reverent offering presentation spanning 12 special days...the rams, the bulls, the goats, the lambs...
I am just blown away by the magnitude of their presentation. Enormous gifts. Enormous presentations. I’m imagining the procession of just one of these leaders of Israel with his silver dish and bowl and gold pan...the bull, the ram, the lamb, the goat, two oxen, five additional rams, five additional male goats, and five additional male lambs... just so beautiful and reverent. Their worship was none like any that any of us have ever witnessed or experienced.
Numbers 8-10
--old testament understanding--
And then, we read a blessing given through Moses/through Aaron and his sons to the sons of Israel... is it okay if I call this a random blessing? Beautiful. Just a beautiful blessing randomly between the specifics of the law. I just took the time to see where this blessing fits within the pages of the law. Between Exodus 20/the 10 commandments...and this blessing, there are 53 chapters and from this blessing to the end of Deuteronomy, there are 64 chapters...just wanted to see how close to the middle of these words/pages of the law it happened to fall... and Genesis/Exodus 1-20 is technically part of the Torah (first five books of the Bible) as well...just wanted to see how it fell in the midst of these instructional law passages... interesting to read this random and wonderful reminder of His love and blessing in the midst of the seriousness and gravity and importance and reverence of the law. Numbers 6:24-6 NLT... ‘May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.’
Numbers 7
--personal thoughts--
So, did anyone else think of the twelve days of Christmas as they were reading this chapter? On the first day of the offering, Nahshon presented... On the second day of the offering, Nathaniel presented... totals at the end of the chapter...twelve silver dishes, twelve silver bowls, twelve gold pans, etc. etc. lol...not to make light of this very reverent offering presentation spanning 12 special days...the rams, the bulls, the goats, the lambs...
I am just blown away by the magnitude of their presentation. Enormous gifts. Enormous presentations. I’m imagining the procession of just one of these leaders of Israel with his silver dish and bowl and gold pan...the bull, the ram, the lamb, the goat, two oxen, five additional rams, five additional male goats, and five additional male lambs... just so beautiful and reverent. Their worship was none like any that any of us have ever witnessed or experienced.
Numbers 8-10
--old testament understanding--
Chapter 8 begins with intro about the lamp stands...then addresses the role of the Levites and their sanctification for their tasks and assignments from the Lord. the Levites were separate/called apart. v. 14 says, "'thus you shall separate the Levites from among the sons of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine." the tasks assigned to this tribe were so significant and special that God set the Levites apart for their duties.
Chapter 9 addresses the 2nd Passover and special conditions of its observance if at all hindered (as with the specific case mentioned regarding uncleanliness because of a dead person). then, we read about the direction of God and His presence in the cloud. v. 23, "at the command of the Lord they camped, and at the command of the Lord they set out."
Instructions regarding the use of trumpets for alerting the people of gathering times and of war are included in chapter 10... along with a narrative of the movement of the people as the cloud moved them from the wilderness of Sinai.
--personal thoughts--
I just love how the Israelites were led by the cloud. I love the visual of that... another visual of the Lord's leading...as our Shepherd whom the sheep (His people) hear/recognizing His voice (from John 10).
Thank You, Lord, for leading us...thank You that we don't need to worry about direction or when or where/or what lies ahead...we just need to follow You...our cloud by day...our Shepherd.
Numbers 11-13
--Personal thoughts--
When I saw the subtitle in my Bible "the people complain," I really dreaded reading Chapter 11. But I read it... stomached it/haha... no pun intended regarding their complaints about food. But I’ve just been praying as I read... for conviction... for His voice in my heart and mind through His Word. And He is close as I think about this and pray..... actually I've had a calling on my life to preach since I was 19, at the age of 27 (September 2011) I believe God gave me my first message-sermon, titled: "Finding Relief in Sharing your burdens with God" based off of Numbers 11:17... I shared this message at a Ladies Bible Study November 2012...pretty cool huh?
--Old testament understanding--
We see in chapter 11 that the people were tired (and greedy!)... and they remembered times when they had other choices... Moses was tired as we see in verses 10-15. We see that Moses was provided seventy elders to assist him. And we see in chapter 11 that God responded to the people's complaints with meat... LOTS of it (first consequence of the sin of gluttony). These passages are telling of God's just character and judgment. Now, not only did God provide quail until it became "loathsome" to them (v 20)...but He struck them with a plague. And His justice was evident once again in Chapter 12, as He interacted with Miriam and Aaron and responded to their words against Moses...and Miriam ended up with leprosy.
Chapter 13 is important as it records the spies' obedience to "check out" the land that they would be going into.... Moses' instruction was to see what it was like/what the people were like/what the cities were like/what the fruit was like. and they reported back...that the land was wonderful (they brought back enormous fruit as instructed)...and they said it "certainly does flow with milk and honey"...but that the people were strong and the cities well-fortified. Caleb spoke out, however, and said that they should take possession of it (he wasn't afraid of the challenge).
--personal thoughts---
I am comforted in God's justice. I think we would've scratched our heads and wondered why God allowed the people to get away with greed if He hadn't punished them... of course we would have. His character is just. I am also comforted in His mercy. Miriam’s leprosy healed as Moses pleaded (12:13)....I am also filled with hope in Caleb’s courage. It is possible to be like Caleb (and Joshua) and not like the other fearful ten. it is possible to be like Moses...very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth (12:3) and not like those filled with discontent and greed.
Numbers 14-36
--old testament understanding--
This will be an overview of chapters 14-36. One of my favorite verses in Numbers is found in this 14th chapter, v18, "the Lord is slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression...." the second half of the verse speaks of His justice as well as His loving-kindness... "He will by no means clear the guilty...." and this chapter gives account of the Israelites' consequences as a result of their grumbling... that they (meaning that generation) would not be permitted to enter the Promised Land.
Chapter 15 records laws given for their entrance into Canaan, laws for the "sojourner," or the one who is traveling through... and then, there is a record of a man who broke the Sabbath and was stoned. At the conclusion of this chapter, we see the practice of sewing a blue tassel on the corners of their robes as a reminder "so that you may remember to do all My commandments and be holy to your God" (v 40).
In the next chapter, chapter 16, three of the Levites challenged the leadership of Moses and Aaron (foolishly)... and this is the account of the earth swallowing these men and all that they had. When the people grumbled about this... still distrusting Moses and Aaron, there was a plague in which thousands lost their lives.
In chapter 17, we read how God responded to the people's questioning and grumblings. He initiated a test to display that God had chosen as leader. rods were collected from each of the 12 tribes, and Aaron’s rod (representing the Levites) became miraculously distinguished among them...as buds and blossoms had grown up out of it.
Chapters 18-20 record duties of the Levites, offering of the first fruits, and the inheritance of the Levites... the ordinance of the red heifer and other laws (chapter 19)... and then, the record of Miriam’s death, the account of water from Meribah (water from a rock), and the record of Aaron’s death at the end of chapter 20. The Lord helped the Israelites conquer the armies of arid that had come against them. He delivered them...recorded in chapter 21. And then, (this phrase baffles me...), "the people spoke against God and Moses..." (after all they had seen/all they had experienced, they would dare to speak against God and against Moses...crazy). The discipline/justice of God was accomplished this time through a plague of serpents. Many died when bitten by these serpents. Moses interceded once again for the people and was instructed to craft a bronze serpent that would provide remedy. (see John 3:14-15 .... Jesus...our ultimate remedy!) Then, God delivered the people again against the Amorites and Heshbon.
Chapter 22 provides the account of Balak and Balaam. I love Balaam's resolve, "I could not do anything either small or great, contrary to the command of the Lord my God." (v 18). (I want this kind of obedience in my life!). And we see his obedience later in the chapter in the midst of the very cool account of the talking donkey! When he realized there had been an angel standing in his way, he said, "now then, if it is displeasing to you, I will turn back" (v 34).
And in chapters 23 and 24, Balaam prophecies according to the blessing of the Lord for Israel. another quotable proclamation of Balaam, "whatever the Lord speaks, that I must do..."
Chapter 22 provides the account of Balak and Balaam. I love Balaam's resolve, "I could not do anything either small or great, contrary to the command of the Lord my God." (v 18). (I want this kind of obedience in my life!). And we see his obedience later in the chapter in the midst of the very cool account of the talking donkey! When he realized there had been an angel standing in his way, he said, "now then, if it is displeasing to you, I will turn back" (v 34).
And in chapters 23 and 24, Balaam prophecies according to the blessing of the Lord for Israel. another quotable proclamation of Balaam, "whatever the Lord speaks, that I must do..."
(I just want to have this commitment to obedience, and I think it's great that we have this example of Balaam's steadfastness.)
In chapter 25, we see the sin of the Israelites as they "joined themselves to baal" by playing the harlot with the daughters of Moab. Moses and the judges of Israel were grieving about this, and one of the Israelites brought a Midianite woman (representing this culture of sin) to his relatives in their sight. One of those weeping at the tent of meeting (Phineas, Aaron’s grandson) acted in justice against this, putting to death this man and the woman... and God was pleased that "he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the sons of Israel" (v 13).
In chapter 25, we see the sin of the Israelites as they "joined themselves to baal" by playing the harlot with the daughters of Moab. Moses and the judges of Israel were grieving about this, and one of the Israelites brought a Midianite woman (representing this culture of sin) to his relatives in their sight. One of those weeping at the tent of meeting (Phineas, Aaron’s grandson) acted in justice against this, putting to death this man and the woman... and God was pleased that "he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the sons of Israel" (v 13).
Chapter 26 records a census taken... 601,730 sons of Israel + 23,000 Levites.
Chapter 27 records the law of inheritance and the commissioning of Joshua.
Chapters 28-30 record the laws for offerings, offerings of the seventh month, and the law of vows (this emphasis really made me think about my commitments/vows made/carefulness with this). We read about the defeat of Midian in Chapter 31.
Chapter 32 records a decision made for Reuben and Gad to settle in Gilead (outside of Canaan) because of their large numbers of livestock... with the provision that they would fight for their brothers before settling down.
Chapter 33 gives an overview and summary of the journey from Egypt to Jordan, giving account of the Israelites' movement/where they camped/etc.
Chapter 34 records instructions for apportioning Canaan.
Chapter 35 is an account of cities set aside for the Levites and cities of refuge.
Chapter 36 records instructions of inheritance/including instructions for daughters to "marry within the family of the tribe of their father."
--personal thoughts--
I love that we saw often how God responded to Moses' intercession for the Israelites. He often withheld His hand when He saw how hearts had been changed. I just want to have a heart after God's own heart… let us move into Deuteronomy.
--personal thoughts--
I love that we saw often how God responded to Moses' intercession for the Israelites. He often withheld His hand when He saw how hearts had been changed. I just want to have a heart after God's own heart… let us move into Deuteronomy.
~~~~~~~
Summary of Deuteronomy:
The genre of the book of Deuteronomy, last book of the Peanatuch, the 1st five books of the Bible, is not much different from that of Exodus. It is Narrative History and Law, although there is a Song from Moses just after he commissions Joshua. This song describes the History that the Israelites had experienced. Moses wrote Deuteronomy approximately 1407-1406 B.C. The key people are Moses and Joshua.
Moses wrote this book to remind the Israelites of what God had done and to remind them of what God expects of them. The name literally means “Second Law”. Moses gives “the Law” for the second time. This book is to remind us of the need to both love and obey God.
The genre of the book of Deuteronomy, last book of the Peanatuch, the 1st five books of the Bible, is not much different from that of Exodus. It is Narrative History and Law, although there is a Song from Moses just after he commissions Joshua. This song describes the History that the Israelites had experienced. Moses wrote Deuteronomy approximately 1407-1406 B.C. The key people are Moses and Joshua.
Moses wrote this book to remind the Israelites of what God had done and to remind them of what God expects of them. The name literally means “Second Law”. Moses gives “the Law” for the second time. This book is to remind us of the need to both love and obey God.
In Deuteronomy, Moses reminds the people of God’s actions in the past:
- His promises to Abraham in Genesis
- His faithfulness in rescuing Israel in Exodus
- His holiness in Leviticus
- His punishment on the disobedient in Numbers
Quick outline of Deuteronomy:
- Recap of Israel’s journey from Egypt (chps 1–3)
- Recap of Israel’s relationship with God (chps 4–10)
- How to love God and keep His commandments (chps 11–26)
- Blessings, curses, and restoration (chps 27–30)
- The death of Moses (chps 31–34)
Then, in chapters 5-28, Moses restates the Ten Commandments to the Israelites. Moses explains the principles and instructions for living a Godly life as God’s chosen nation. These include how to love the Lord, laws of worship, laws regarding relationships (like divorce), and also the consequences and penalties if these laws are broken.
Chapters 29-30, there is a move to commit themselves, as a nation, and to stand apart unto God. This consists of not only knowing the many laws that God has commanded, but also obeying them and placing God first.
Finally, in chapters 31 through 34, we see the first change in leadership in Israel. Moses, the one who has been leading them the entire time, hands over his authority to Joshua, and commissions him. Moses blesses the tribes, which reminds us of Jacob blessing his sons almost 450 years earlier. In the last chapter, God shows Moses the Promised Land, although he cannot enter it, after this, Moses the servant of the Lord dies on Mount Nebo.
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