Bible Blog

introduction to Deuteronomy

Author, Place And Date Of Writing

Moses is supposed to have written the majority of the book of Deuteronomy as well as most of the Pentateuch many New Testament passages refer to him as the author Of Deuteronomy an unknown author filled in the narrative framework surrounding the pieces written by Moses including the preamble in Deuteronomy chapters 1-5 and the conclusion in Deuteronomy 34 along with other smaller sections. according to chapter 1 verse 5 moses presented his speeches to the Israelites while they were camped in Moab at the location where the Jordan flows into the Red Sea following his delivery, he wrote them down this supposes that the speeches and ents recorded in Deuteronomy happened just before the conquest of Canan traditionally dated by early evangelical scholars to between 1440 and 1430 B.C.E


Audience

The original audience for Deuteronomy was the generation Israelites who were preparing to enter Canaan, the book summarizes the events of the previous generation for posterity many New Testament passages refer to Moses and Deuteronomy emphasizing the books importance


Cultural Facts And Highlight


After forty years wandering in the desert the Israelites were almost ready to enter Canaan. God had proven his faithfulness over and over, but as soon as they crossed the River Jordan, they would have countless battles to fight. both physical battles with the canaanites and spiritual conflicts inorder to remain god's chosen people. at this key time in history God gave Moses important truths to share as the former shepherd got ready to turn command over to Joshua.


God and Moses knew the numerous challenges the Israelites would face in their new homeland and the current generation needed a reminder of the covenant between God and the Israelites, Joshua and Caleb were the only two members of the previous generation to survive the forty year sojourn in the wilderness.


As You Read

imagine the Israelites gathered on the border of Canaan eager to what their faithful elder Moses had to say many of them had been born or had entered adulthood in the desert. Moses would not be allowed to cross the jordan because of his previous disobedience. filled with god's spirit moses delivered three long sppeches in which he went over the stipulations of god's covenant with his chosen people and the importance for future generations of living according to the laws set down by Moses.


Did You Know


* It is not unusual for events in the Old Testament to be relayed in a non-chronological order or for a leader to be credited with something accomplished by someone else.

* The reason for the prohibition on "unclean" foods was mostly spiritual although there may have been mental and physical health reasons as well.

* Contempt of Court whether by a judge who did not want to enact a prescribed punishment or by a regular citizen was punishable by death

* Israelite military commanders spelled out to potential recruits' ways to get excused from service if a recruit did not fit any of the specific criteria for exemption the last criteria was being afraid to fight.

* Mosaic law forbade anyone who found a bird's nest on the ground with the mother in the nest from harming the mother most Semite peoples severely frowned anyone who willfully disturbed a bird's nest


* "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" is not a quote from Deuteronomy but it does have a Basis in the Bible.




Themes

1. The Covenant

2. Choices

3. The Past