“Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you except to revere him, to obey all his commandments, to love him, to serve him with all your mind and being, and to keep the Lord’s commandments and statutes that I am giving you today for your own good” (Deuteronomy 10:12-13).

Deuteronomy closes out the Pentateuch with Moses’ farewell address to his beloved people. It presents the law to the new generation, but in an expanded version from the teachings at Sinai. With 38 years of experience in leading the nation, Moses re-teaches the children of those who failed to trust and obey God at Kadesh. Seasoned by the wilderness wanderings, Israel’s 120-year-old deliverer and leader preaches three messages before handing off leadership to Joshua. The descendants of Jacob had learned that they were God’s special people (Genesis); they had experienced the delivering power of their redeeming God (Exodus); discovered that He is a holy God (Leviticus) who demands the trust that leads to obedience (Numbers).

Now, poised just east of Jericho, they re-receive the detailed instructions on every aspect of life formerly delivered through Leviticus. But this time the emphasis is on the people rather than the priests, and the practical aspects rather than the principles. The primary difference is the insight that obedience to God flows from love for God. The word love occurs 22 times, whereas the word obey occurs only 10 times. This basic lesson—love for God is expressed in obedience to God—is highlighted in three ways. First, through the history of the exodus generation as Moses reviews their wanderings (1-4). Second, through a review of the law (5-26). And, finally through a renewing of the covenant (27-34).

Much like the Gospel of John supplements the synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke— Deuteronomy supplements the first four books of the Pentateuch. It completes the history from God’s perspective by giving the spiritual significance of the events. And like John’s Gospel, Deuteronomy retells the story emphasizing God’s love. The lesson from Deuteronomy is clear. God’s instructions come from His loving heart. Obey Him because you love Him. This emphasis on God’s love (4:37, 7:7-8, 10:15, 23:5) made it the Lord Jesus’ favorite Old Testament book. He quoted Deuteronomy more than any other.

The theme of Deuteronomy is the need to obey God because you trust His love. The lessons from the past are placed in the context of the loving relationship between God and His people. “Beware lest you forget” is a repeated warning. This new generation was unfamiliar with the experiences of Mt. Sinai. Moses emphasizes the danger of forgetfulness because it leads to arrogance and disobedience. They must remember two things: (1) God’s love for them motivated His commands, and (2) their love for God should motivate their obedience to Him (Deuteronomy 4:1-6).

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Deuteronomy follows the outline of the vassal treaties of the 15 century B.C. Israel, about to enter the

Promised Land, knows that disobedience will bring discipline but obedience will lead to blessing in the land.

I. HISTORY: Moses’ first sermon reviews their recent history with spiritual insight. For forty years they had wandered and died. Now with the passing of the unbelieving generation, God has led the nation in great victories over Sihon and Og, bringing them back to the threshold of blessing east of the Jordan. But before they enter the land they must learn a crucial lesson—obedience brings victory and blessing while disobedience results only in defeat and judgment (1-4).

II. HOLINESS: Moses’ second sermon (which extends through chapter 26) contains many of the same commands previously received at Mount Sinai. Every aspect of life is again addressed so that only a holy people would possess the land (5-26).

Deuteronomy: Obey your holy God because you trust His love!

1. MORAL DUTIES: Moses begins with the basics—the Ten Commandments—and then gives the Great Commandment (6:4-6) and urges parents to teach these faithfully to their children (6:6-9). There is urgency in Moses’ request. The Promised Land remains to be conquered and enjoyed. God is looking for a generation of obedient people to bless because they trust His love (5-11; 10:12-13).

2. CEREMONIAL DUTIES: More detailed regulations govern everyday life. Religious life must reflect the holiness of God. Every hint at idolatrous influences, and every uncleanness must be avoided and purged from the life of God’s people. National worship is to be holy and pure (12-16).

3. CIVIL DUTIES: Holiness should not be practiced in the Tabernacle only. Justice, truthfulness, and humane treatment must prevail (17-26).

Messiah: A type of Christ—Moses. Moses was like Christ in his service as the redeemer and shepherd of his people (Hebrews 3:2) and in his office as a prophet (Deuteronomy 34:10 and Luke 24:19). Deuteronomy 18:15 is a direct prophecy of a coming Prophet fulfilled by Jesus of Nazareth. The Jews expected a Prophet and the Messiah—two distinct persons (John 1:20-21, 7:40-41). The Christians realized that both came together in the person of Jesus Christ (Acts 3:22-23).

III.HORIZONS: Moses’ final sermon speaks of new and exciting horizons for the future. He lays out the near future in a repetition of the blessings and cursings (27-28; Cf. Leviticus 26). Moses envisions the distant future in the prediction of their future dispersion among the nations and their eventual return. Dramatically, Moses delivers the challenge: “I have set before you life and death...choose life.” The covenant is renewed and Joshua takes over for the great hero of Israel. God Himself buries Moses in an unknown place, perhaps to prevent idolatry (27-34; 30:19-20).

1. RENEWING THE COVENANT: The time for recommitment to the covenant has come. Two chapters review the covenant; two chapters affirm the covenant. This is the Palestinian Covenant (30:1-8), which defines the borders of the land originally promised to Abraham (Genesis 12-15). This Covenant promises unconditional ownership of the land but warns that possession is conditioned upon obedience (27-30).

2. REPLACING A HERO: With the covenant re-established and the nation poised at the Jordan River, Moses’ service to the Lord is complete. After pronouncing blessings on each tribe, Moses climbs Mount Nebo for a final glimpse of the Promised Land. He would enter the Promised Land 1400 years later when he appears with His Messiah on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:3, 31-34).

IV. God’s people must pass their faith on to the next generation by letting them know that the choice is between life and death (30:19-20).

1. Obedience to God should be taught in the context of trusting His love!

   Listen, Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You must love the Lord your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength (6:4-6).

   “Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you except to revere him, to obey all his commandments, to love him, to serve him with all your mind and being, and to keep the Lord’s commandments and statutes that I am giving you today for your own good” (10:12-13).

2. Teaching trust and obedience to God begins at home!

   These words I am commanding you today and must be kept in mind, and you must teach them to your children, and speak of them to your children and speak of them as you sit in your house, as you walk along the road, and as you get up. You should tie them as a reminder on your forearms and fasten them as symbols on your forehead. Inscribe them on the doorframes of your houses and gates (6:6-9).