Liberty University
Interpretive Paper 2
Analyzing and Comparing the Scriptures
Deuteronomy 30:11-14 and Romans 10:5-8
Craig Hardin
GBST 103
Survey of the Old Testament I
December 7, 2014
Comparison of the writings of Moses in the Book of Deuteronomy and the Apostle Paul in
the book of Romans is to see how the same words can be used in different ways to say the same
thing but in two different applications. In look at these verses we see that Moses is speaking to
the people of God’s choice, the Israelites and is asking them why they are question their God
who has delivered them from so much pain and anguish in the past. God has delivered them from
the slavery of the Egyptians, provided them food from heaven, gave them victories over their
enemies throughout the journey, yet they still are demanding to know what God is going to do
for them. In researching for this paper, I found an interesting article by Bruce Wells of Saint
Joseph’s University where he states the following and then ask a great question, “Previous
passages in Deuteronomy assume there will be “words”—situations, controversies,
responsibilities—that will be beyond the capabilities of the people to handle on their own. But
now the “commandment….is not too hard for in you (v.1) because the word is in your mouth and
in your heart your” (v.14) Again it is the action of YHWH that produces this turnabout in the
people’s state of affairs. How can they fail if their God is now the source of their power?”1 I
believe that is exactly what Moses was asking the people. It states in the book, Paul and the Law:
A contextual Approach, “The language shifts from prophecy back to the present and lays on
Israel full responsibility for keeping the commandments of the covenant, since as Moses says,
they are not too hard to keep (v.11), nor too difficult for Israel to understand (v.12-14).2 Even
1 Wells, Bruce. "Between Text & Sermon: Deuteronomy 30:6-14." Interpretation 61, no. 2 (04, 2007):
198-200
2 Thielman, Frank. Paul & the Law: A Contextual Approach. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1994.
210.
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today as we see the things that God has known in the past and the present, we still are asking
God what he will do for us next. Moses is basically saying that the people of Israel must do their
part to keep the covenant with God, because God has been keeping his covenant with his chosen
people all this time. We always say that hindsight is 20/20, but when it comes to good we are
always looking forward to what will be done and most of the time we are forgetful to look at that
20/20 behind us to see what God has done!
When looking at the verses of Romans 10:11-14, we see that the Apostle Paul is basically
saying the same thing as Moses with a different spin due to what has transpired because of what
had transpired during the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Paul in my opinion is replacing
the covenant or law provided by God to the Israelites in the Old Testament with that of the gift of
Christ in the New Testament. An example would be where Paul is citing heaven (v.6), referring
to Deuteronomy 30:12, and the abyss (Romans 10:7), referring to the sea in Deuteronomy 30:13,
are interpreted Christologically.3 We also see this in verse in verse 4, where Paul states that
Christ is the goal or end of the law.4 No longer is the law the sole purpose of our relationship
with God, we have a risen Savior that has accomplished the perfection that God desired and in
doing so has transferred some of the covenant of law to the act of faith through the salvation
offered by Jesus. Paul has already shown that life will not come in this way since all violate the
law.5 In the gift of Jesus, God sent his only Son to do what we are incapable to do, live by the
law or covenant perfectly. Yet by dying on the cross, then resurrecting to ascend to heaven, Jesus
has enable us through faith to have covenant with God. The law should not be discarded, it is a
3 Schreiner, Thomas R. Romans. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 1998. 559.
4 Moo, Doug. The Epistle to the Romans. Grand Rapids: Eerdman, 1996, 642.
5 ESV: Study Bible: English Standard Version. ESV Text ed. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Bibles, 2007. 2370
2
covenant with God, but the covenant of a savior in Jesus Christ, God’s only son, that it is by faith
through him are we have a relationship that our God desires.
3
Bibliography
Wells, Bruce. "Between Text & Sermon: Deuteronomy 30:6-14." Interpretation 61, no. 2 (04, 2007)
Thielman, Frank. Paul & the Law: A Contextual Approach. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1994
Schreiner, Thomas R. Romans. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 1998
Moo, Doug. The Epistle to the Romans. Grand Rapids: Eerdman, 1996
ESV: Study Bible: English Standard Version. ESV Text ed. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Bibles, 2007.
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