DEUTERONOMY - DUTY IN DUPLICATE
INTRODUCTION
1. This book shows the blessing of obedience and the curse of disobedience.
2. Everything depends on obedience.
A. Life itself
B. Possession of the promised land
C. Victory over our foes
D. Prosperity and happiness
3. Deuteronomy is a book of remembrance. (cf. 2:7)
A. The name Deuteronomy means “Second Law,” indicating that the Law is repeated.
B. Moses repeated the teaching of the Law to remind the people what God had done for them and what they were to do to serve Him when they reached the Land.
C. It covers about two months, including the 30 days of mourning for Moses. Written about 1451 B.C.
1) Just at the close of the wanderings
2) Before Moses is removed
3) Prior to the preparation of Joshua to lead the people across Jordan
CIRCUMSTANCES
1. The elder generation had practically all died, except Caleb, Joshua and Moses. (2:14-16)
2. The new generation needed instruction as to God’s Law and the conquest of Canaan. (4:1-2; 31:3-4)
3. Since Moses was not to go in with them, he must instruct them beforehand. (3:25-27)
KEY PHRASE “Thou shalt” -- over 350 times
A BOOK OF TRANSITION
1. It marks the transition to a new generation: With the exception of Joshua, Caleb and Moses, the old generation which came up from Egypt and was numbered at Sinai, had passed away, and a new generation had come up.
2. It marks the transition to a new possession. The wilderness pilgrimage was to give place to the occupancy of Canaan.
3. It marks the transition to a new experience, to a new life--houses instead of tents, settled habitation instead of wandering, the milk and honey of Canaan instead of manna.
4. It marks the transition to a new revelation of God--the revelation of His love. From Genesis to Numbers the love of God is never spoken of but begins in Deuteronomy. (cf. 4:37; 7:7-8; 10:15; 23:5)
MESSAGE: OBEDIENCE (11:26-28)
1. That the Law of God is inflexible. It cannot be revoked or evaded, and is of universal operation.
2. That God’s laws are the expression of His love. He governs man because He loves him and wants to prevent his ruin.
3. That man’s obedience is the expression of his love. He obeys God because he loves Him and delights to promote His interests.
4. Progression of the Christian life
A. In Genesis we see man ruined by the fall.
B. In Exodus we see man redeemed.
C. In Leviticus we see man worshipping.
D. In Numbers we see man walking.
E. In Deuteronomy we see man’s destination through faithfulness to God.
5. Progression of the Revelation of God
A. Genesis - Divine sovereignty in creation and election
B. Exodus - Divine power in redemption and emancipation
C. Leviticus - Divine holiness in the insistence on separation and sanctification
D. Numbers - Divine goodness and severity in judging the old generation and preserving the new
E. Deuteronomy - Divine faithfulness in discipline and destination
6. Moses is pleading with the new generation, pointing to the love of God for them, and beseeching them on the basis of His undying love to obey the Lord and avoid the mistakes their fathers made in the wilderness.
OUTLINE OF THE BOOK
I. THE HISTORY OF ISRAEL --THE BACKWARD LOOK (chs. 1-3)
A. The journey review - Horeb to Kadesh (1)
1. Trekking to Kadesh (1:1-19)
2. Trembling at Kadesh (1:20-45)
3. Tarrying at Kadesh (1:46)
B. The journey resumed - Kadesh to Beth-peor (2-3)
1. Conquering the land east of Jordan (2:1-3:17)
a. Victory over the giants possible (2:1-23)
b. Victory over the giants proven (2:24-3:17)
2. Contemplating the land west of the Jordan (3:18-29)
a. Moses speaks to Israel (3:18-20)
b. Moses sees the inheritance (3:21-29)
II. THE HOLINESS OF ISRAEL--THE INWARD LOOK (4-11)
A. Moses speaks about the law (4-6)
B. Moses speaks about the Lord (7-8)
C. Moses speaks about the land (9-11)
III. THE HERITAGE OF ISRAEL--THE FORWARD LOOK (12-30)
Consisting of law concerning:
A. Purity in the land (12-14)
B. Property in the land (15)
C. Piety in the land (16:1-17)
D. Positions in the land (16:18-18:22)
E. Protection in the land (19-20)
F. Persons in the land (21-25)
G. Priorities in the land (26)
H. Permanence in the land (27-30)
IV. THE HERO OF ISRAEL--THE UPWARD LOOK (31-34)
A. Moses the statesman (31)
B. Moses the singer (32)
C. Moses the seer (33)
D. Moses the saint (34)
--Exploring the Scriptures
John Phillips
ANOTHER OUTLINE
I. A REVIEW--of Israel’s wanderings and God’s long-suffering (1:1-4:43)
II. A REPETITION--of the Law (4:44-26:19)
III. A REVELATION--of God’s future purposes regarding His people (27:1-30:20)
IV. A RECORD--of the closing events of Moses’ life (31:1-34:12)
-- C.V. Wagner
MOSES
The greatest character in history so far is Abraham, who was born 2008 years after the creation of Adam. The next very great character is Moses, who was born 425 years after Abraham’s birth. In round figures Abraham lived 2000 B.C. and Moses, 1600 B.C.
I. A REVIEW OF HIS TIME AND LIFE
A. First Period - Ex. 2:1-15 (40 years) Moses, the Prince in Egypt
1. His childhood and youth (vs. 1-10)
a. Birth and concealment (vs. 1-4)
b. Rescue and adoption (vs. 5-10)
c. Education and illumination (Acts 7:22-25)
2. His early manhood (vs. 11-15)
a. Murder of an Egyptian (vs. 11-12)
b. Resentment of his brethren (vs. 13-14a)
c. Fear and flight from Egypt (vs. 14b-15)
B. Second Period - Ex. 2:15-4:28 (40 years) Moses the Pastor in Midian
1. His domestic and pastoral life (2:15-22)
a. Arrival at Midian (v. 15)
b. Defense of Reuel’s daughters (vs. 16-20)
c. Marriage with Zipporah (vs. 21-22)
2. His Divine call and commission (2:23-4:28)
a. Continued cruel oppression of Israel (2:23-25)
b. Call of Moses to the work of deliverance (3:1-10)
c. Excuses of Moses and God’s replies (3:11-4:17)
d. Submission of Moses to God’s will (4:18-28)
C. Third Period - Ex. 4:29-Deut. 34 (40 years) Moses the Prophet in the Wilderness
1. From Egypt to Sinai (Ex. 4:29-19:2)
a. The conflict with Pharaoh (4:29-12:36)
b. The journey to the Mount (12:37-19:2)
2. The sojourn at Sinai (Ex. 19:3-Num. 10:10)
a. The constitution of the nation (Ex. 19:3-Lev. 27)
b. The disposition of the camp (Num. 1:1-10:10)
3. From Sinai to Shittim (Num. 10:11; Deut. 34)
a. From the Mount to Kadesh-barnea (Num. 10:11-19:22)
b. From Kadesh to the Plains of Moab (Num. 20-Deut. 34)
II. AN ESTIMATE OF HIS WORTH AND WORK
A. His manifold mission
1. The leader (Psa. 77:20)
2. The lawgiver (John 1:17)
3. The ruler (Acts 7:35)
4. The prophet (Hosea 12:13)
B. His great equipment
1. Educational
2. Political
3. Military
4. Disciplinary
5. Religious