Deuteronomy
Instructions for Faithful Living in the Promise Land
I. Introduction
II. What Is Deuteronomy
Name means Second Law.
Deuteronomy highlights the renewal of the covenant God made at Sinai with this new
generation of Israelites.
Focus is on entering the land, and life in the land.
III. Deuteronomy: Historically
Moses is 120 years old and is about to die.
The Israelites are on the plains of Moab close to the promised land.
Deuteronomy is a series of sermons preparing Israel to enter and live in the land.
IV. Deuteronomy: Biblically
No section of the Old Testament helps explain the rest of the Old Testament better than
Deuteronomy 27-33.
Paul used the book of Deuteronomy heavily as a reference point for the book of Romans.
Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy more than any other book of the Old Testament. This
includes:
- His resistance to Satan In the wilderness.
- His theological explanation for the greatest commandment.
V. The Purpose of Deuteronomy
To remind Israel of God’s past and present grace toward his people, and to articulate how
Israel can maintain a covenant relationship with their God when they enter the promised
land.
Past: God’s grace in the past serves as the context and motivation for Israel keeping the
law.
Future: God’s grace in the future serves as the context and motivation for Israel keeping
the law.
VI. Sermon 1: Deuteronomy 1-4
Education: Remember the grace of God in the past
The Israelites Rebellion: Moses tells the story of Israel’s failure to enter the Promised
land
God’s Faithfulness: Moses reminds the people that God has met their faithlessness with
faithfulness.
VII. Sermon 2: Deuteronomy 5-26
Action: Because of God’s grace, pursue holiness in the present
The 10 Commandments Restated: Moses reminds the Israelites of God’s law.
The 10 Commandments Practiced: Moses explains how each of the 10 commandments
should be lived out.
VIII. Sermon 3: Deuteronomy 27-34
Conclusion: God’s Grace in the future will meet the failure to live a holy life.
Renewing the Covenant: The new generation of Israelites renew the covenant their
parents and grandparents made at Sinai
Changing the leader: Joshua is selected as the new leader of the Israelites
Predicting the future: Moses predicts that Israel will not follow
God and will be forced from the land and into exile.
IX. Deuteronomy and the Israelites
Deuteronomy emphasizes Israel’s relationship with God.
"Hear" is used 50 times;
"Do, keep, observe" is used 177 times.
___________________, as a basis for obedience, is mentioned at least 21 times.
Israel’s Call to love God from the Heart
“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your
God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” Deut. 6:4-5
Israel is Called to Love God From The Heart
Prediction: They won’t listen and will not be able to love (predicted by both Moses and
God) because they have a heart of stone.
Result: Divine Judgment - They will be forced off the land and into exile.
Response: Divine Love - God is self-determined to love His children and will once again
rescue them.
Response: Divine Love - God will replace their heart of stone with a heart of flesh.
X. Deuteronomy and the Christian
The Law and Life:
For the Israelites the commands of God were their life. For the Christian, Christ fulfilled
the law. Thus, we find our life in Him.
“These instructions are not empty words—they are your life! By obeying them you will
enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River.” Deut.
32:47
“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father
except through me.” John 14:6
The New Heart:
“The Lord your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that
you will love him with all your heart and soul and so you may live!” Deuteronomy 30:6
“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your
stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in
you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.” Ezekiel
36:26-27
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is
gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
When we make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ we are not asking Jesus into our
hearts.
Rather, God through the work of Jesus Christ is giving us a new heart filled with His
Spirit.
It is not a heart resuscitation but a heart transplant.
