March 11, 2018

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy Deuteronomy is one of the most important and misunderstood books in the Bible.

Deuteronomy “Deuteronomy is the most important book in the Old Testament for writing an Old Testament theology.” Daniel I. Block “One of the great theological documents of the Bible, or of any time… [that] goes to the heart of the great issues of the relationship between God and human beings.” J. Gordon McConville “Deuteronomy has had greater consequences for human history than any other single book. Its continuing influence is one of the major forces shaping the future of humanity. The regulations of I AM’s covenants are the first to establish universal education and health for all members of a nation and fixes the only welfare system that was in existence in ancient times.” Bruce Waltke

Deuteronomy Deu. first formulates the greatest command, to love God (Chap. 6, 11, 13). It first establishes the constitutional monarchy. Jesus quotes it more than any other book. The New Testament refers to it more than 50 times (more than Psalms and Isaiah).

The Pentateuch “Moses wrote the book of Genesis to teach his readers that leaving Egypt and possessing Canaan was God’s design for Israel.” Exodus is to affirm the divine authorization of Moses' leadership and of covenant law and worship regulations. Leviticus was to guide Israel in holiness so that they could live with God, set apart from the world. Numbers was to call the second generation of Israel to arms as the holy army of God.

Deuteronomy The Torah follows the tradition of calling the book after the first word or phrase (words) - “these are the words” (1:1) English title comes from the LXX title ‘this second law’ Deu 17:18 - When he is seated on his royal throne, he is to write a copy of this instruction for himself on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests.

Author As with the rest of the Pentateuch, traditional studies have granted authorship of the book to Moses. Many consider the book Moses’ ‘last will and testament’. (1:1-5)

Author Traditional views on Post-Mosaica Viewed as commentary to clarify geography, history, etc. Viewed as additions in the Land after the death of Moses (1:1-5) 2:10-11 2:20-23 3:9, 11 10:6-9 Chap 34

Author Support for this belief Claims of Mosaic authorship in the text Similarities with other ancient laws (example - Code of Hammurabi, 1726 B.C.)

Author Historical-Critical Approaches These lead to a separation of Deuteronomy from Moses and the Pentateuch. JEDP theory sought to identify sources and a late date for the book. Some still saw essential Mosaic authorship of portions but many think of “authors”. Deuteronomy was written or collected by an ‘ongoing Deuteronomic school’ of authors and editors. Critical scholars see it primarily as Josiah’s “law book” (2 Kin. 22:8 - 13). They want to equate its date of discovery in the temple with its date of authorship. They see Josiah’s reforms as being influenced primarily by Deuteronomy.

the “documentary hypothesis” Four ‘sources’ J - typically referred to God as Jehovah E - typically referred to God as Elohim D – identified mostly in Deuteronomy, Legislates monotheism P – the priestly source - Assumes monotheism

Author Writing on the origin of Deuteronomy, Christopher Wright notes: Historically, the arguments for a late origin of Deuteronomy are outweighed by more ancient tradition in the book. Moses is so clearly central to the book that there are no compelling reasons to deny substantially Mosaic authorship Hermeneutically, it seems best to interpret the text from the standpoint assumed in the book itself.

Structure Deuteronomy is varied in form and cannot be easily structured in one way. Some look at the book as a sermon or exposition on the law. Over time four major views of the book’s structure have emerged.

The Speeches of Moses Three separate addresses followed by a series of appendices. Marked by words/law (1:1, 4:44, 29:1) Preamble (1:1-5) First Speech (1:6-4:43) Israel’s journey from Sinai to Moab (1 – 4:43) This section is historical review with an exhortation to keep the law Second Speech (4:44 – 28:68) Covenant Reminder: Call to Covenant Loyalty followed by blessings and curses. Third Speech (29:1-30:20) Obedience or Disobedience: Summary and challenge to Israel to obey. Conclusion of Moses’ Ministry (31 – 34) Transfer of Leadership to Joshua and Moses’ death.

Covenant Form Preamble (1:1-5). Historical prologue: covenant history (1:6-4:49). From Horeb to Hormah (1:6-2:1) Advance to the Arnon (2:2-23) Conquest of Transjordan (2:24-3:29) Summary of the Covenant (4) Stipulations: covenant life (5-26). The great commandments (5-11) Ancillary commandments (12-26) Sanctions: covenant ratification (27-30). Ratification ceremony in Canaan (27) Blessings and curses (28) Summons to the covenant oath (29) Ultimate restoration (30:1-30) Radical decision (30:11-20) Dynastic Disposition/Covenant Continuity (31-34). Final arrangements (31:1-29) The song of witness (31:31-32:47) Moses’ testament (32:48-33:29) Dynastic succession (34)

Concentric Literary Patterns OUTER FRAME: A Look Back (Deu. 1 – 3)   B INNER FRAME: The Great Address (Deu. 4 – 11) C Covenant Stipulations (Deu. 12 – 26) B’ INNER FRAME: The Covenant Ceremony (Deu. 27 – 30) A’ OUTER FRAME: A Look Forward (Deu. 31 – 34)

Expanded Decalogue Commandment Deuteronomy Chapter 1 6-11 2 12 3 13-14:21 4 14:22-16:17 5 16:18-17:-13 6 19:1-21:23 7 22:1-23:14 8 23:15-24:7 9 24:8-16 10 24:17-26:15

Purpose “To encourage the nation in covenant renewal under Joshua as they enter the Promised Land.”

Preamble: Moses, mediator of the covenant Lord (1:1-5). Moses wants Israel to know This book comes from Moses (vs. 1), God’s prophet This book is inspired (vs. 3) This book is to be understood and lived (vs. 5)

Historical prologue: covenant history (1:6-4:49) Departure From Horeb (1:6-2:1) Land (vs. 8, 21) Multiplied (vs. 10) Bless you as promised (vs. 11) Wise Leaders Model for the Church (Acts 6:1-7) Israel’s rebellion (vs. 26) and presumption (41-46) Moses rejection, Joshua’s ascension (vs. 37-38; 3:21-29)

Reminder of Past Victories (2 – 3) Conquest of Transjordan (2:24-3:29) Call to Covenant Faithfulness (4) History (providence) reflects God’s will. History (providence) reflects God’s faithfulness. History reflects man’s unfaithfulness. History creates and anticipation for God’s future grace. History (God’s faithfulness) should create a desire for obedience.

Stipulations: Order for the Covenant Kingdom (5-26) Love I AM (5-11) The Rule of I AM (12-26)

Stipulations: Love I AM (5-11) We love because I AM loves (7:7-9; 10:15). We love because of our election (7:6). Love means obedience (11:1) Blessings for obedience. 11:8-9

Deuteronomy 6 (The Greatest Command) 4 “Listen, Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. 7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates.

Stipulations: The Rule of I AM (12-26) Obedience includes exclusive worship (12:2-5; 16:21-17:7). Obedience means purity (12:15-32; 22:13-30; 23:17; 24:1-4) Obedience means exclusive allegiance (13:3; 26:16). Obedience means executing justice (16:18-20)). Redemption fuels obedience (15:15; 16:12; 24:18; 26:5-10).

Sanctions: covenant ratification (27-30) Ratification ceremony in Canaan (27) Blessings and curses (28) Renewing the covenant (29) Ultimate restoration (30:1-30) Choose Life (30:11-20)

Choose Life Deuteronomy 30:19-20 I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, 20 love the Lord your God, obey him, and remain faithful[a] to him. For he is your life, and he will prolong your days as you live in the land the Lord swore to give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Covenant Continuity (31-34) Joshua’s succession (31:1-15, 23) Certainty of future failure (31:16-30). Moses’s Song and Death (32-34) Moses’ Hope (34:1-8)

Covenant Implications Christopher Wright, “Unless Israel was to live in accordance with God’s law, what value would their incredible historical and religious experience retain?” What does this say to us today?

Deuteronomy, Missions, and Covenant Life Christopher Wright notes that the book of Deuteronomy was written to people on the move, on the boundary of the land, by a God on the move. If this is true, how does the book inform our view of missions? Israel was called to covenant loyalty in the midst of culture change. Israel was called to monotheism in the midst of polytheism and idolatry. Israel as a model for the nations. God will raise us a prophet like Moses (18:14-22)

References An Introduction to the Old Testament: Second Edition, Tremper Longman III,‎ Raymond B. Dillard Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible, Richard Pratt Jr. General Editor An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, and Thematic Approach, Bruce K. Waltke and Charles Yu He Gave Us Stories: The Bible Student's Guide to Interpreting Old Testament, Richard L. Pratt Jr. Deuteronomy, Anthony Phillips Deuteronomy, Thomas W. Mann Deuteronomy: A Commentary, Gerhard von Rad Deuteronomy, Christopher J H Wright Lectures on the Pentateuch, Rev. Michael J. Glodo