The Writings of Deuteronomy

Why would God put a book called Deuteronomy as part of His Word to humanity?  Deuteronomy means “The Second Law”.  As an old man of 120 years, Moses knew his end but Israel’s beginning was coming soon. He reflected on what God’s love and faithfulness had meant to him throughout his life.  He had been raised as a privileged prince in Pharaoh’s palace for 40 years. Then he went through a humbling experience. Moses went from his place of importance in Pharaoh’s household to a lonely life as a shepherd tending smelly sheep in the Midian desert for the next 40 years.  But God had not forgotten Moses.  God called on Moses to play a key part in the contest between God and Pharaoh and help deliver Israel from their slavery in Egypt.  What an amazing and miraculous adventure for Moses! Next, we see Moses at Mt Sinai where he records God’s Ten Commandments to help guide the Israelites. Up until this time people had no recorded moral, social or spiritual standards to live by. Today people are still guided, inspired and shaped by these same Commandments. 

Deuteronomy is a book about remembering God’s goodness and grace towards his children.  The author, Moses, gives us a glimpse of what God has done for the Israelites and what God wants in return. God desires obedience, hearts full of love and people who are willing to help others.  Moses knows that obedience to God is important.  Obedience is needed for a good life, to enter the land God has promised them, to have victory over their enemies and to receive wealth and happiness.

When Moses writes about his miraculous journey through the wilderness with the Israelites, I wonder what he was thinking.  He would have known that the trek could have taken 11 days but because of the Israelites poor behaviour – unbelief, rebellion, idolatry and complaining – they walked around in the desert for 40 years!   Would Moses have been shocked that his people could take 40 years to learn the lessons God had for them?  Finally, all of the Israelites who escaped slavery in Egypt died in the desert.   It was only their children and grandchildren, including the next leaders Joshua and Caleb who would get to enter the land that God had promised his people.   It is clear that disobedience to God had consequences. 

Moses was a great leader. He guided an entire nation for 40 years through the wilderness to the border of the Promised Land.   Moses encouraged people to pass on their beliefs, laws and the stories of God’s miracles and deliverance to their children and grandchildren.  As Moses sat around campfires under a sky full of stars, he boldly shared his experiences of God’s goodness, God’s mercy, God’s provision, God’s protection and God’s guidance. He constantly spoke of God’s faithfulness.  He told and retold his people how God keeps his promises for a thousand generations and how God never stops loving his children.

Deuteronomy teaches how to live a life of faith and set a path for our children and grandchildren.  The story of Moses encourages us to courageously choose life so that we, and our children, will be blessed.  Some of Moses’ final words of instruction to the Israelites were to love God, listen to his voice and hold on to his promises.  After being guided and taught by God for over 40 years Moses stood on the top of Mt Nebo looking out at the promised inheritance of a fertile land flowing with milk and honey lying before him. He must have been overflowing with worship and praise for his loving father God as he glimpsed the amazing spectacular view of God’s fulfilled promise to the Nation of Israel.  God chose Israel, but in the book of Deuteronomy God wants the Israelites to choose him.  Today God has chosen us and gives us this same choice!