Understanding the Book of Deuteronomy*

Transcription

1 Understanding the Book of Deuteronomy* The Book of Deuteronomy Takes its names from the Greek deuteronomion meaning the second law Because it is a reiteration of the laws laid down at Mt. Sinai (Horeb). It is not only the final book of the Pentateuch but is also Moses final address to the People of Israel just before they enter into the Promised Land and prior to his death. Thus, it is often referred to as the last will and testament of Moses. Indeed, much of Deuteronomy is laid out like a legal document more in the nature of a contract stipulating enabling clauses and penalty clauses. The key themes of Deuteronomy are: God s willingness to enter into a covenant The need to keep and renew the Covenant The Promised Land In this regard, Deuteronomy deals with four thematic segments: 1. Links with historical books 2. Miscellaneous Material 3. The concerns of the nation 4. Composition and tradition This week for Sunday, March 19, 2017, we will conclude our study of the Book of Deuteronomy by discussing chapters which deal with the following matters: Blessing and curses of the Covenant (Chapters 27-28) Moses third speech; the Moabite Covenant (Chapters 29-30) Succession of Joshua; the seven-year reading of the Law (Chapter 31) The Song of Moses (Chapter 32) The Blessing of Moses (Chapter 33) The Death of Moses (Chapter 34) *John Bowker. The Complete Bible Handbook: an Illustrated Companion. DK Publishing. New York 1998 Deuteronomy Study Questions DEUTERONOMY What is Deuteronomy 27:1-8 about and what is its purpose? The people are ordered by God to build an altar and make a peace offering as soon as they enter the promised land. This is to consecrate the land to God as soon as they enter it. 2. What does the Lord command the people to do, when, where and why? (Deuteronomy 27:1-8) 3. Read Joshua 4 and Joshua 8: How do the people of Israel carry out the Lord s commandment?

2 Understanding the Book of Deuteronomy Page 2 4. What is the significance of Deuteronomy 27:9-10? 5. What is Deuteronomy 27:11-26, and what does it mean? 6. What would be the importance of Deuteronomy 27:11-26 in King Josiah s time? 7. What would be the importance of Deuteronomy 27:11-26 in our own time? DEUTERONOMY What is Deuteronomy 28:1-14? 2. What would Deuteronomy 28:1-14 mean to the people of Israel? 3. What would Deuteronomy 28:1-14 mean to the people in King Josiah s time? 4. What does Deuteronomy 28:1-14 mean to us? 5. What is Deuteronomy 28:15-68? 6. What is the significance of Deuteronomy 28:25? 7. Compare Deuteronomy 28:30 with Deuteronomy 20:5-8; what is the significance of the comparison? 8. Read 2 Kings 17. How does it compare with Deuteronomy 28:36? 9. Compare Deuteronomy 28:43-44 with Deuteronomy 27:13; what is the contrast? 10. Read 2 Kings 25:1-21, and compare it with Deuteronomy 28: How has the Lord s curse been fulfilled? 11. Explain the meaning of Deuteronomy 28: What is the significance of Deuteronomy 28:63-67? DEUTERONOMY What is Deuteronomy 29:1-9? 3. What is Deuteronomy 29:10-15? 4. Who is included and why? (Deuteronomy 29:10-11, 14-15) 5. Compare Deuteronomy 29:13 with 28:9. Why is it reiterated at this point?

3 Understanding the Book of Deuteronomy Page 3 6. Compare Deuteronomy 29:11-15 with Acts 2: Is Peter talking about the same thing? 7. What does the Lord warn the people of Israel about in Deuteronomy , and how does this warning compare with what is recounted in 2 Kings 23:1-27? 8. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 29:29, and why is it stated? 9. What does Deuteronomy 29:29 mean to you? DEUTERONOMY What is Deuteronomy 30:1-10 about? 2. What does the Lord mean in Deuteronomy 30:12-15? 2. What is the purpose of Deuteronomy 30:19? 3. Reread Deuteronomy 27-29; What is the difference between these chapters and Deuteronomy 30? 5. Turn to 2 Samuel 7:4-17; how does this compare with Deuteronomy 27-30? Are there any differences? 6. Why would it have been important for King Josiah to have heard these passages? (2 Kings 22:8-13) DEUTERONOMY How old does Moses say he is? (Deuteronomy 31:2) 2. What does Moses command the priests to do at what particular point, and how often? (Deuteronomy 31:9-11) 3. What does Moses specifically command in Deuteronomy 31:12? 4. How does the Lord appear to give Joshua his commission? (Deuteronomy 31:15) 5. What words of prophesy does the Lord speak to Moses? (Deuteronomy 31:16-18) 6. What does the Lord command Moses to do, and what is it for? (Deuteronomy 31:19-21) 7. What does the Lord say the song will become, and what does that mean? (Deuteronomy 31:21)

4 Understanding the Book of Deuteronomy Page 4 8. Does the Lord believe that the people will obey the laws and commandments they have received? (Deuteronomy 31:21) 9. What does Moses tell the Levites to do and what does he forecast of the people of Israel? (Deuteronomy 31:25-30) DEUTERONOMY What is Deuteronomy 32:1-43, and what is its purpose? 2. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 32:7? 3. Do you think the people of Israel memorized this song? 4. Were they singing it by the time the book of Deuteronomy was found in King Josiah s time? 5. Why is Moses forbidden to enter the promised land? (Deuteronomy 32:51) DEUTERONOMY What is Deuteronomy 33, and what is its purpose? 2. What is the reference to Reuben about in Deuteronomy 33:6? 4. Why isn t Simeon mentioned between Reuben and Judah? (Deuteronomy 33:6-7) 5. What is the meaning of the reference to Judah? (Deuteronomy 33:7) 6. What is the meaning of the reference to Levi? (Deuteronomy 33:8-11) 7. What is the reference to Benjamin about? (Deuteronomy 33:12) 8. What does the reference to Joseph in Deuteronomy 33:13-17, mean? 9. Who are Ephraim and Manssseh, and what do these names represent? (Deuteronomy 33:17) 10. What are the references to Zebulun and Issachar about in Deuteronomy 33:18? 11. What mountain is Moses talking about in Deuteronomy 33:19? 12. What does Moses mean in his reference to Gad in Deuteronomy 33:20-21? 13. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 33:22?

5 Understanding the Book of Deuteronomy Page What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 33:23? 15. What does Moses mean in his reference to Asher in Deuteronomy 33:24-25? 16. Who was Deuteronomy 33 written for and what message were they to derive from it? DEUTERONOMY Where does Moses go and what does he see? (Deuteronomy 34:1-4) 2. Where does Moses die, where is he buried and why? (Deuteronomy 34:5-7) 3. What is meant by the last passage in Deuteronomy 34:7?