Bible Commentaries
Deuteronomy

Outline of Deuteronomy

The Law Repeated for the New Generation

I. First Discourse of Moses, Deuteronomy 1-4

1. Review of Israel’s History from Sinai to the Jordan , Deuteronomy 1:1-46 ; Deuteronomy 2:1-37 ; Deuteronomy 3:1-29

2. Appeal to the People to Faithfully Observe God’s Commands , Deuteronomy 4:1-40

3. Supplementary Historical Statement , Deuteronomy 1:41-46

II. Moses’ Second Discourse, Deuteronomy 5-28

1. Repetition of the Decalogue and Exhortation to Cleave unto God , Deuteronomy 5-11

2. Laws Regulating the Religious and Social Life of the People , Deuteronomy 12-26

3. The Law to be Written on Plastered Stones; the Cursings and the Blessings , Deuteronomy 27:1-26 ; Deuteronomy 28:1-6

4. Consequences that Will Follow Obedience and Disobedience , Deuteronomy 28:7-68

III. The Third Discourse,Deuteronomy 29:1-29; Deuteronomy 29:1-29 ; Deuteronomy 30:1-20

The Covenant Renewed and Enforced with Promises and Threatenings

IV. The Final Scenes in Moses’ Career, Deuteronomy 31-34

1. Joshua Charged and Commissioned , Deuteronomy 31:1-23

2. The Book of the Law Delivered to the Priests , Deuteronomy 31:24-29

3. The Song of Moses and Directions to Ascend Nebo , Deuteronomy 32:1-52

4. Moses’ Final Blessing , Deuteronomy 33:1-29

5. The Death of Moses , Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Introduction

This is again the Greek name for this book, and signifies the “second giving of the Law.” It contains the records of public addresses to Israel, delivered in the eleventh month of the fortieth year of their wanderings through the Wilderness. As Moses uttered them on the eve of his own speedy removal, he was able to speak with unusual emphasis and urgency. The allusions to the natural features amidst which these addresses were given are consistent with the place and speaker. It has been shown also by competent scholarship that Deuteronomy has all the peculiarities of Moses’ style; and any differences of hortatory entreaty and appeal may be accounted for by the mellowing effect of age.

The special references to this book in the New Testament are very significant. Our Lord quoted from it thrice in His Temptation, Matthew 4:4 ; Matthew 4:7 ; Matthew 4:10 . See also Romans 10:19 ; Acts 3:22 ; Acts 7:37 . There are touches by a later writer, and an appendix, Deuteronomy 34:1-12 ; but the origin of the treatise as a whole must be ascribed to the great Lawgiver.

e-Sword Note: The following material was presented at the end of Deuteronomy in the printed edition

Outline

( a ) What was Moses’ purpose in reviewing Israel’s history?

( b ) Why did he repeat the Ten Commandments and other laws?

( c ) Why did he make this new generation renew the Covenant their fathers had made?

( d ) Describe the final events in Moses’ career.

Introduction

( e ) What does the title Deuteronomy mean?

( f ) What may the book be said to contain?

Deuteronomy 1-34

Each question applies to the paragraph of corresponding number in the Comments .

1. What may be gained by reviewing God’s dealings with His people?

2. What made Kadesh-barnea a momentous and memorable place?

3. Why was Israel not to fight with the inhabitants of Seir or Moab?

4. How was Sihon punished for refusing passage through his land?

5. How did the land east of Jordan come into the possession of Israel?

6. When Moses was not permitted to lead his people across the Jordan, what did he seek to do?

7. In what sense is Jehovah “a jealous God?”

8. What had Jehovah done to impress upon Israel that He was the only true God?

9. Why was it necessary to repeat the Decalogue?

10. Why did the people feel the need of a mediator with God?

11. What were the Israelites to write upon their hearts as well as upon their doors?

12. How were they to be kept from mixing with other nations?

13. How were they to dispossess their enemies?

14. What would happen to them if they forgot God?

15. Of what failure on their part did Moses remind them?

16. Where and how had Moses intervened to save them from destruction?

17. What did the Lord require of them-and still requires of us?

18. What was promised concerning the land which Israel was about to enter?

19. What were they offered if the Commandments were kept?

20. How were they to avoid being led into idolatry?

21. What promise of a prophet to come was made to Israel?

22. What lesson was annually taught by the offering of first-fruits?

23. Where and how was the Law to be plainly written in the new land?

24. What were some of the blessings which were promised to the obedient?

25. What would be some of the terrible consequences of disobedience?

26. How were these penalties for disobedience later realized?

27. What had Jehovah done for His people which called for their loyalty in return?

28. What would be the certain result if they served false gods?

29. What is promised to those who return from wandering?

30. What great choice did Moses put before the people?

31. How did Moses now prepare for his own departure?

32. What parting charge did he give to Joshua? and to the Levites?

33. What does Moses’ song declare about God’s goodness to Israel?

34. What does it declare about Israel’s perverseness?

35. How did Moses see the land he was not permitted to enter?

36. What special blessings were promised to the tribes descended from Joseph?

37. What was the eternal God to be to all His people?

38. How did the great Lawgiver’s career fittingly close?