The Book of Deuteronomy
in a Nutshell
The Book of Deuteronomy
in a Nutshell
Embedded Files
in a Nutshell
05_Deuteronomy-BiaNS.mp3The book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible and the last book of the Torah. It tells the story of Israel's escape from slavery in Egypt, their year at Mount Sinai, and their journey to the Jordan River. The book begins with a speech by Moses, which is divided into three sections. The first part highlights Israel's rebellion and resistance, while the second part challenges them to be different from their parents and respond to God's grace with love and obedience.
Moses begins with a somber tone, highlighting Israel's rebellion and resistance for forty years. He challenges the new generation to be different from their parents and respond to God's grace with love and obedience. Moses reminds them of the ten commandments and the famous line: "Listen, oh Israel, the LORD is our God, the LORD alone. Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." This line, from Deuteronomy 6:4-9, is called the Shema in Jewish tradition, emphasizes the Israelite's exclusive commitment to their God, the one true God who saved them from slavery.
The word "listen" in Hebrew means more than just hearing sound waves; it includes responding to what you hear. For Israel, this means obeying God's grace by obeying the laws of the covenant. Love is the true motivation for obeying the laws, and Israel will not truly love if they don't obey. The connection between love and obedience runs throughout the book, as Moses tells them that if they obey and love Jehovah, their God, they will fulfill their original calling as the family of Abraham and become a blessing to the nations.
The second big section of Deuteronomy is a large block of laws and commands, which are called "second laws," and this is where book of Deuteronomy gets its name. These laws cover various aspects of Israel's worship, leadership structure, social justice, and more. And finally, Moses warns Israel of the consequences of their actions and encourages them to obey God's laws, become a blessing as an example to the nations, and live a life of love and justice.
JJ Bowks, ©CDMI
The Bible in a Nutshell Series
The Bible in a Nutshell Series
Hebrew Scriptures
Hebrew Scriptures
(Old Testament Books)
Outline of the Book of Deuteronomy
Outline of the Book of Deuteronomy
I. Moses’ First Address: Historical Review and Exhortation (1:1–4:43)
A. Introduction and setting (1:1–5)
B. Israel’s journey from Horeb to Kadesh (1:6–46)
C. From Kadesh to Moab: victories and lessons (2:1–3:29)
1. Edom, Moab, and Ammon bypassed (2:1–23)
2. Victory over Sihon and Og (2:24–3:22)
3. Moses barred from entering the land (3:23–29)
D. Exhortation to obedience and uniqueness of Israel’s God (4:1–40)
E. Cities of refuge east of the Jordan (4:41–43)
A. Introduction and setting (1:1–5)
B. Israel’s journey from Horeb to Kadesh (1:6–46)
C. From Kadesh to Moab: victories and lessons (2:1–3:29)
1. Edom, Moab, and Ammon bypassed (2:1–23)
2. Victory over Sihon and Og (2:24–3:22)
3. Moses barred from entering the land (3:23–29)
D. Exhortation to obedience and uniqueness of Israel’s God (4:1–40)
E. Cities of refuge east of the Jordan (4:41–43)
II. Moses’ Second Address: Covenant Obligations and Stipulations (4:44–28:68)
A. Preamble to the covenant renewal (4:44–5:1)
B. The Ten Commandments restated (5:1–33)
C. Call to love and obey Jehovah (6:1–25)
D. Warnings against disobedience and forgetting Jehovah (7:1–11:32)
1. Israel to be separate and obedient (7:1–26)
2. Remembering Jehovah’s care in the wilderness (8:1–20)
3. Warning against self-righteousness (9:1–29)
4. Intercession and new tablets (10:1–11)
5. What Jehovah requires (10:12–11:32)
E. Specific covenant laws and commands (12:1–26:19)
1. Worship at one sanctuary and rejection of idols (12:1–13:18)
2. Clean and unclean animals, tithing, festivals (14:1–16:17)
3. Laws on leadership: judges, kings, priests, prophets (16:18–18:22)
4. Cities of refuge and laws of justice (19:1–21:23)
5. Various civil and social regulations (22:1–25:19)
6. Firstfruits and declaration of loyalty (26:1–19)
F. Covenant ceremony at Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim (27:1–26)
G. Blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (28:1–68)
III. Moses’ Third Address: Covenant Renewal and Prophetic Future (29:1–30:20)
A. Review of past and call to loyalty (29:1–29)
B. The choice of life or death (30:1–20)
IV. Final Acts and Farewell of Moses (31:1–34:12)
A. Commissioning of Joshua and instruction to read the law (31:1–29)
B. The Song of Moses (32:1–47)
C. Moses prepares for death (32:48–52)
D. Moses blesses the tribes (33:1–29)
E. Death of Moses and transition to Joshua (34:1–12)
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