DEUTERONOMY PART 1 CH 1-26

Transcription

1 DEUTERONOMY PART 1 CH 1-26

2 THE BIG PICTURE Deuteronomy is the conclusion of the Torah. The words it contains are mostly a speech from Moses to the people of Israel as a new generation prepares to renew the covenant and enter the Promised Land. The book is broken into 3 large sections: Historical: Moses begins by recounting the history of the previous generation, focusing on their rebellion and resistance over the past 40 years. From there, Moses challenges this generation to be different from their parents by serving Yahweh with wholehearted obedience. Introspective: The central section of the book is a large block of laws from which it gets its name: Deuteronomy, or Second Law. It expands on the 10 Commandments and contains laws about Israel s worship, their leadership structure, and social justice. Prophetic: Moses lays out the options for this generation of Israelites: they can choose blessing or cursing through obedience or disobedience. Moses, however, knows that their hard hearts will bring failure and exile from the land, and he speaks of a future time when God will transform their hearts so that they can truly love and follow God s law. The book concludes with Moses handing over leadership to his protégé, Joshua, and getting a distant glimpse of the promised land before he dies. DEUTERONOMY 32: SEE JEREMIAH 37 AND EZEKIEL 36

3 KEY THEMES IN DEUTERONOMY As a major explanation of Yahweh s covenant with Israel, Deuteronomy forms the theological foundation for the rest of the Old Testament, the prophets, and Jesus ministry as the Messiah. OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCES TO DEUTERONOMY 356 APPROXIMATELY 80 NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCES TO DEUTERONOMY DEUTERONOMY THE PROPHET The Jewish Leaders question if John the Baptist is the Prophet GREATER THAN MOSES predicted in Deuteronomy 18:14-16 in John 1: John denies it. Later, he will identify Jesus as the one they seek: This is the one I meant when I said, A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me. I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel. Jesus quoted extensively from Deuteronomy during his ministry to validate his Messiahship and summarize the law. While resisting Satan s temptations in the Wilderness, he quoted Deuteronomy exclusively: MATTHEW 4:3 DEUTERONOMY 8:3 MATTHEW 4:6 DEUTERONOMY 6:16 MATTHEW 4:9 DEUTERONOMY 6:13

4 KEY THEMES IN DEUTERONOMY The Shema: True spirituality and faithfulness to the covenant are rooted in loving God with all of one s heart. ONLY 1 INDIVIDUAL IN THE OLD TESTAMENT IS DESCRIBED AS TURNING TO GOD WITH ALL HIS HEART AND WITH ALL HIS SOUL AND WITH ALL HIS STRENGTH: 2 KINGS 23:25 IF ISRAEL WILL... LISTEN & 1 LOVE GOD ALONE Hear + Respond = OBEDIENCE Emotion + Decision = DEVOTION THEY WILL BE... SEE MATTHEW 22:36-38 A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS EXODUS # OF OCCURANCES IN DEUTERONOMY: HEAR DO, KEEP, OBSERVE LOVE

5 KEY THEMES IN DEUTERONOMY The law was an act of grace, given by God, enabling his people to establish a covenant community of spiritual righteousness and social justice. THE COLLECTION OF LAWS (CH ) 12-16a 16b-18 Laws about Worship These laws are developed applications of the first 4 Commandments. Proper worship includes rituals done according to Yahweh s commands and caring for the poor Laws about Social Justice Laws about Israel s Leaders THE LAW THE PROPHETS ELDERS PRIESTS KINGS All of Israel s leaders were under the authority of the law and the prophets These laws are developed applications of the final 6 Commandments. They deal with marriage, family, business, and protection of widows, orphans, and immigrants. TIPS FOR READING THESE LAWS 1 The laws are the terms of the Sinai Covenant given to Ancient Israel. Don t compare them with modern laws. Compare them with the laws of 2 Israel s neighbors. SEE 1 CORINTHIANS 9:8-10 FOR AN EXAMPLE OF HOW 3 Discern the core principle underlying the law. PAUL DOES THIS WITH DEUTERONOMY 25:4

6 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Deuteronomy is a sermon by Moses explaining the law to the new generation of Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Why do you think Moses prepared them to enter the land by renewing their covenant with God? What was God s purpose for Israel in the covenant (see Exodus 19:3-6)? How did the law enable them to achieve their purpose? How successful was Israel in following the law to that end? Deuteronomy is frequently quoted or referenced by other biblical authors in the Old and New Testament. Jesus himself quoted from Deuteronomy exclusively when resisting Satan in the wilderness. What does that communicate to you about the message of Deuteronomy? Why do you think Deuteronomy is referenced so frequently? What about its message do you need to hear? As a group, read and discuss Deuteronomy 18:14-19 and John 1: What does this communicate about Jesus? In what ways is he greater than Moses? As a group, read and discuss the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). What stands out to you? What does this look like? Why is this message central to the rest of the book? 5 Now read and discuss 1 John 2:3-6. Explain why you agree or disagree with this statement: Obedience is the measure of our love for God. What does your personal level of obedience say about your love for God? What are some of the barriers to your obedience? How can you overcome them?