1. Introduction to Deuteronomy
With All Your Heart
Introduction to Deuteronomy

2. Why Read Deuteronomy?

3. Why Read Deuteronomy? Key Verse: Deut 6:4-5
It is the heart of OT Theology
It is the climax of the Books of Moses (Gen-Deut)
It is the foundation of the rest of the OT
It shows us the heart of what Jesus has done for us
It shows us that key to our relationship with God is the heart
Key Verse: Deut 6:4-5
Hear, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart
And with all your soul and with all your strength

4. What is Deuteronomy About?
The message of Deuteronomy in a Nutshell:
GOD IS DETERMINED TO CREATE
A PEOPLE TOTALLY DEVOTED TO THE GOD
WHO IS TOTALLY DEVOTED TO THEM
IN LOVE & FAITHFULNESS
FOR HIS GLORY & THEIR BLESSING
Key Verse: Deut 6:4-5
Hear, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart
And with all your soul and with all your strength

5. The Background to Deuteronomy
The Key Themes of Biblical Theology
God’s PEOPLE
In God’s PLACE
Under God’s RULE
The Story so Far:
Gen 1-11: Setting things up
Gen 12-50: People
Exodus: People, Rule
Leviticus: Rule
Numbers: Place
Deuteronomy: People, Place, Rule

6. Overview of Deuteronomy: Titles
Deuteronomion (Greek OT):
‘2nd Law’ OR ‘Law a 2nd Time’
Emphasises Deut as terms of the Covenant
Stresses content of laws
Devarim (Hebrew OT):
‘The Words (of Moses)’
Emphasises Deut as sermon/address
Stresses motivation for laws
Bottom Line: Both are helpful angles for us

7. X
Deuteronomy
set somewhere around here…

8. The Structure of Deuteronomy
INTRO
(1:1-5)
ADDRESS 1
(CHS 1-4)
ADDRESS 2
(CHS 5-28)
ADDRESS 3
(CHS 29-30)
MOSES’ LAST ACTS
(CHS 31-34)
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
GEOGRAPHY
HISTORY
RESTATMENT OF COVENANT (1:6-8)
RECOUNT OF HISTORY
(1:9-3:29)
RECOUNT OF LAW
(4:1-40)
‘10 WORDS’
(5:1-21)
THE BIG PICTURE OF THE ‘10 WORDS’
(5:22-11:32)
THE DETAIL OF THE ‘10 WORDS’
(12-26)
CURSE & BLESSING
(27-29)
THE FUTURE OF THE COVENANT
(29:1-30:10)
CALL TO DECISION
(30:11-19)
JOSHUA APPOINTED
(31)
MOSES’ SONG
(32)
BLESSING THE TRIBES
(33)
MOSES’ DEATH
(34)
INTERLUDE
(4:41-49)

9. Deut 5-28 (Main Address) in More Detail
The ’10 Words’
toward God
Toward Neighbour
Love God with all your heart...
Be holy and faithful to the holy God in everything
Because the holy God has chosen and been faithful to you
Demonstrate the love & faithfulness of God in every aspect of life in the land
If you do, you will be blessed
If you don’t, you will be cursed

10. The Key Themes & Chapters of Deut
Deut 4: Deuteronomy in a Nutshell
Following the law demonstrates how good following God is
YHWH is the only true, living, speaking God, so hearing his Word is central to relationship with him
Deut 5-6: Love is the Key to the Law
10 C’s are about reln with God & reln with neighbour
Love of God is the key to understanding the Laws of God
Deut 17-18: The King & The Prophet
God’s true ruler loves his people & is faithful to his Word
Deut 30: Now Choose Life!
The Law points to right relationship with God & life
But God needs to circumcise our hearts to get there
Deut 32-33: Through Curse…Blessing
Israel will fail & come under the curse
But this will somehow lead to their ultimate blessing

11. Deuteronomy & the Rest of the Bible
Deuteronomy in Israel’s History
The people & kings are assessed in Deuteronomy’s terms
Israel’s history reads like an unfolding of Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy in the Prophetic Books
The Prophets use Deuteronomy to diagnose Israel’s sin
Laws seen as symptoms of a heart turned towards/away from God
Deuteronomy in the Wisdom Literature
Wisdom = Righteousness applied to the mess of life
I.e. How the Law should land in real life
Deuteronomy in the New Testament
Jesus saw his ministry as the true Israel (Matt 4)
Jesus saw the 10C’s as the shape of true life (Mk 10)
Jesus’ death explained in terms of Deut (Rom 3, Gal 3)
Christian Life seen as fulfilment of Deut (Rom 13, Gal 5)

12. Deuteronomy, Law & Grace
Bad Law, Good Grace?
Yes, but needs unpacking
Jesus, NT writers don’t attack the Law, but its misunderstanding/misuse
The Bible’s perspective: Good Law, but not God’s final Word/Salvation
The Way Deuteronomy Works: Love & Faithfulness
Gives us the model/template for relationship with the God of Love & Faithfulness
So it shows how our sinful hearts fall short and need grace
BUT it also gives us the shape of Christian life (cf. Rom 13:8-18, Gal 5:13-14)
Why Deuteronomy Needs Jesus:
The Law is like scaffolding on a building
The Law is like a picture of a loved one
The Law is like a shadow of reality

13. The Bottom Line & Other Stuff
The Bottom Line: Reading Deuteronomy as Christians:
How is this passage a model of receiving, reflecting or returning God’s love and faithfulness in the Land?
How does this help me to understand my heart before God?
How does this help me to understand what Jesus has done for us?
How does this help me to understand what Jesus is doing in us?
How does this help me to understand what life in God’s new creation, free from sin, will be like?
Other Stuff
Deuteronomy in academic OT study
Challenging issues in Deuteronomy
Reading & Leading Deuteronomy