Deuteronomy-God's Desire for Us

Text for Today's Study: Book of Deuteronomy

Narrative: This book was given to us to emphasize the desire of God for us. This is a book that shows how much God wants us, wants to be part of us, wants to be remembered and thought of by us. It is far more than a book of rules and regulations, though at first glance it might seem so.

Picturing the author: Most of the book of Deuteronomy is considered to have been authored by Moses. In the last part of the book where Moses' death is described in chapter 34, obviously someone else was the author. It is conjectured by scholars that the author of that portion of the Penteteuch may have been Joshua, Eleazar the son of Aaron, or Phenehas.

It is said of the author in chapter 34 that until Moses' death at 120 years of age that his sight was not dimmed nor his faculties diminished. Yet, in chapter 31, he alludes to the fact that he can no longer go out or come in. Perhaps he was prevented from feeling the effects of age until nearly the day that it was time for him to die.

Moses tries so hard in the book of Deuteronomy to keep the young from repeating the idolatrous mistakes of their parents. And, according to Judges 2: 7-11, for a generation, Israel would be loyal to Jehovah. But when the next generation came to power, they already began to lose the fight again Satan. And that would be when the troubles began.

Time: (also see time line in the classroom): about 1405 B. C., just before Israel went over into Canaan.

The Bible Story (Deuteronomy):

Moses first sermon: "What God has Done for Israel"--1:1 -4: 43.

II. Moses' Second Sermon--"what God Expects of Israel." 4: 44-26: 19

III. Moses' Third Sermon--"What God Will Do for Israel"--27: 1- 34: 12

IV. New Testament Correlaries:

A. Jesus' defense to temptation in Luke 4 and Matthew 4:

"Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."

B. II Thessalonians 1: 6-10. Don't think that God will not punish the wicked-judgement is coming!

C. Hebrews 3: 7-13. Just as God punished the unfaithful in the desert, He can do so to the unfaithful today as well.

D. Hebrews 4: 9-11. There will be a time to rest, but not while we are in the desert. Nor will it be while we are on this earth, walking in this spiritual desert.

E. James 4: 1- 10. "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you."

Questions for review:

1. What seems to be God's order of business with His people in Deuteronomy? Technical matters or relationship matters, first?

2. Name the ten commandments, either by quoting or in plain English, whether in order or just "somehow."

3. Which commandment does God spend the most time with in Deuteronomy?

4. Which commandment proved most difficult for Israel to keep? Adultery? Murder? Stealing? False witness against their neighbors?

5. Which commandment does man seem to have the most trouble following today (broadly speaking)?

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