Deuteronomy: Introduction & Chapter 1

Transcription

1 NPC Adult Education / Deuteronomy Ch. 1 / 22 February 2009 / p. 1 Deuteronomy: Introduction & Chapter 1 Who would name a book of the Bible Deuteronomy? When translated into Greek, the translators shifted verse 17:18 from the Hebrew statement of a copy of the law to second law in Greek. The name stuck, even though it is misleading (this is no second law ). Why read Deuteronomy? Deuteronomy is one of the greatest books of the Old Testament. Its influence on the domestic and personal religion of all ages has not been surpassed by any other book in the Bible. It is quoted over eighty times in the New Testament and thus it belongs to a small group of four OT books to which the early Christians made frequent reference. (Thompson 16) Deuteronomy plays a specific role within the Pentateuch (Merrill 26) - Genesis: told the people who they were, where they had come from, and what God intended for them - Exodus reviewed the story of the Growth of that people, their redemption from bondage, and their covenant affiliation with the Lord who called them; - Leviticus outlined the means by which the nation might have access to a holy God and how a holy people lives - Numbers provides instruction for a people in movement from covenant to conquest; - Deuteronomy reiterates the covenant but for a new generation, one about to enter a new life experience It s not just a review or repeating of the covenant: perhaps as much as 50% of the content provided in the Book of the Covenant (Exodus 20:22 23:19) has no parallel in Deuteronomy (Thomson 34) Deuteronomy employs every rhetorical, literary, emotional and moral skill to the task of equipping and motivating God s people to live for the purposes of God in each generation. (Wright 8) Moses was about to die and it was important that he commit to writing the whole collection of the revelation of God (Merrill 27)

2 NPC Adult Education / Deuteronomy Ch. 1 / 22 February 2009 / p. 2 How to find Deuteronomy relevant Soli Deo Gloria: Deuteronomy is uncompromisingly monotheistic: the totally uncompromising attitude toward all forms of idolatry was not a racist hatred of foreign religions, but a total commitment to the saving truth (Wright 10) - It is still the responsibility of the people of God to confront human idolatries with the reality of the living and saving God. - The uniqueness of Christ relates powerfully to the monotheism of the OT Deuteronomy shows the importance of divine mission. The mission of Israel was to be a model for the nations. Mission was not a matter of going but of being; to be what they were, to live as the people of God (Wright 11-13). We are called to the same mission as the body of Christ. Don t treat the OT laws as just historical artifacts (Wright 13-14) - Identify what the function of the law was in Israelite society - Articulate the objective: why is it there? - Preserve the objective but change the context - Note: there may be multiple (even individual) applications Understand the theology of history in Deuteronomy: Election > redemption > immediate future > long-term future Three areas of particular relevance: Family, society, business (Robertson 7) What it helps to know about Deuteronomy Set up (structured) like a Near-Eastern political treaty in which the sovereign lists and details the obligations of the vassal. The vassal was exchanging future obedience to specific commands for past benefits he had received without any real rights to them. (Thompson 82) Key words/expressions in Deuteronomy: observance, rebellion, idolatry, centralization of worship, covenantal language, inheritance It has some unique features: Of all the books in the Pentateuch, only in Deuteronomy do we find a reference to the king in Israel (Thompson 53) The theology of Deuteronomy: God is a God who reveals himself to his people (Merrill 48) What s Grace got to do with it (with living according to laws)? The laws were not meant to be a burden, but to be a gracious gift giving guidance for a peaceful life in the new land. Deuteronomy showed the people how to live in fellowship with Yahweh and with one another and how to enjoy the full blessings of the covenant. It was not by living a perfect, obedient life that Israel was to become holy; Israel was holy by virtue of Yahweh having set her apart for himself.

3 NPC Adult Education / Deuteronomy Ch. 1 / 22 February 2009 / p. 3 Context & Date of composition The date of Deuteronomy is widely debated by scholars. Probably best to allow a great deal of influence if not direct material from Moses, and then perhaps some later editing. Creation: In the beginning God created Fall: By one man sin entered into the world Flood: But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD Abraham: Go to a Land I will show you Joseph to Egypt: God meant it for good Exodus I have heard the cry of my people Joshua/Conquest The Lord your God is with you Saul A man without equal David A man after God s own heart Solomon A wise and discerning heart Two Kingdoms (Judah-Israel) Assyrian Captivity (Ten tribes vanish ) Babylonian Captivity (Judah captured) Return to Jerusalem (Rebuilding) (c B.C.) (c.1800 B.C.) (c B.C.) (c B.C.) (1040 B.C.) (1000 B.C.) (960 B.C.) (931 B.C.) (722 B.C.) (586 B.C.) (450 B.C.)

4 NPC Adult Education / Deuteronomy Ch. 1 / 22 February 2009 / p. 4 Deuteronomy 1:1-18 Notes - Yahweh s granting of the land would have been an unmistakable claim to his lordship: only a lord can grant land; only a vassal can receive such a bestowal (Merrill 68) Questions & Application - Context (cf. Numbers 13-14): where are we? - What is the purpose (v. 5) of Moses words to the people? - What is new here? - Genesis 13:14-17; Genesis 15: 12-16; Exodus 13:11; Numbers 34:1-2; - Deut. 1:1-18: - How did God help Moses to care for the people? - How might this encourage us? Deuteronomy 1:19-40 Notes - God s command (v. 6) to move on was grounded in his promises: people, blessing and land. (Wright 24) - The use of spies (v. 22) would have been a prudent choice and was common practice. - Remember: Israel had no experience in offensive warfare and clearly lacked proper equipment to undertake traditional siege warfare (Merrill 78) - v. 37: Moses participation in the punishment may be due to his lack of insistence on pursuing the attack (Thompson 103) Questions and application - V 6: there comes a time for God s people to move forward (Wright) - List the expressions that suggest rebellion or resistance to God s call

5 NPC Adult Education / Deuteronomy Ch. 1 / 22 February 2009 / p. 5 - What evidence of God s provision and providence do we find in this passage? - One antidote to fear (such as exhibited by the Israelites) is a good memory. Moses urges them to not be afraid in light of God s victory over the Egyptians many times more powerful than these nations. (Wright) - How did the people respond to Moses charge not to be afraid? - What makes it so difficult to trust God for the future? - How do we ask for spies in our own difficult circumstances? - What prompted the Lord s displeasure with his people? - How is the response of the Lord a discipline (a decision meant to show them their error, teach them a better way and train them in greater obedience)? Deuteronomy 1:41-46 What was the Lord teaching the Israelites in v. 42? What situation in your life are you having trouble entrusting to God? Is there anything in this passage that can help you do that? Sources Thompson, J. A. Deuteronomy: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, 5. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, Wright, Christopher. Deuteronomy. New International Biblical Commentary, Old Testament Series. Peabody (MA): Hendrickson Publishers, Merrill, Eugene H. Deuteronomy. The New American Commentary, 4. Broadman & Holman Publishers, Robertson, George and Mary Beth McGreevy. More Grace, More Love. Deuteronomy: Living in Covenant with God. Lawrenceville (GA): Christian Education and Publications, 2006.