Reading The Bible Together – Nov 2019

Deuteronomy

The Book is called Deuteronomy which translated means second law, its a bit of an accident of history as it is a mistranslatation of the instruction in 17:18 to ‘copy the law’. This is the same law we find in Moses’ earlier books, now Moses preaches the law of God to the people of Israel, encouraging them to remain faithful to God and keep his law.

Outline

 

  1. Prolougue (1:1-5)
  2. Moses’ First Speech: Hisorical Prolouge (1:6-4:43)
  3. Moses Second Speech: General Covenat Stipulations (4:44-11:32)
  4. Moses’ Second Speech: Specicif Covenant Stipulations (12:1-26:19)
  5. Moses Third Speech: Blessings and Curses (27:1-28:68)
  6. Moses Third Speech: Final Exhortation (29:1-30:20)
  7. Succession of Leadership (31:1-34:12)
(ESV Study Bible)

Things to look out for in Deuteronomy

Law Preached: 
Deuteronomy is a continuation of Moses’ previous four books. Rather than simply restating the Law recorded elsewhere he now teaches it, applies it. As the Children of Israel stand on the verge of entering the Land, Moses open’s God’s Law and reminds them to keep it.
Love Communicated: 
A book about law doesn’t sound very captivating. But it is God’s law given to the people he has chosen to make himself known to. It is not rules to keep to earn God’s love, but rather living lives pleasing to the God who has already showered his love on them. Throughout Deuteronomy we have references to God’s love, faithfullness and mercy to Israel.
Love Commanded: 
The Love isn’t to be one way. Those who recieve God’s love are required to reciprocate. We can find commands to love difficult to understand, as love in our day is so often a feeling we can fall in and out of. But Love in Deuteronmy is something commanded.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Deut 6:5

The Gospel in Deuteronomy

Law & Grace: 
We can misunderstand the relationship between law and grace. The law given in the OT was a gracious act of God. He had already saved his people powerfully, graciously, wonferfully from the might of Egypt into freedom. He now gave them the Law as a further gift to prosper in the land he was giving them. He had made them a people, through redeeming them, now he instructed the people how to live. It is the same pattern in the New Testament, as God saves his people powerfully, graciously, wonderfully through Jesus’ death and ressurection and then instructs them how to live in light of the new life he had given them.
Heart Change: 
Despite all of the wonderful prividleges Israel had had, and the promiese of blessing, the outlook at the end of the book is not hoeful for the nation. In fact Moses is enabled to see the future rebellion of Israel against God, and thier punishment. He looks forward to the day when God will change their hearts, a dynamic internal change God alone can do (Deut 30:6)

Bay Church Reflections

Throughout November we will look to refer to Deuteronomy as often as possible. We hope this will increase our familiarity with the book and provide more opportunity to learn from it.
  • Introductory Sermon – Sunday 3rd
  • Home Groups
    • Monday Group: Mon 11th & 25th.
    • Wednesday Group: Wed 13th & 27th
  • Children’s Address during Morning Meeting. – Sunday 3rd, 10th, 17th 25th

Resources

The following video from The Bible Project may also provide a helpful overview.

Questions

If you have any questions about the book of Acts as you read please contact Andrew: andrew@thebaychurch.org.uk