INTRODUCING.... Deuteronomy. The Pilgrims Guide to the Bible No 17

Second time around: 'Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.' How often do we think something like that?

'I know all about that, I don't need to be told again.' Yet isn't it a fact that we do need to be told some things twice, and even then, they never seem to penetrate? Try giving out the notices in church. The times I have had people claim to know nothing about something, when I have announced it repeatedly, from the front of the church, as well as in print! If a message is to stick, it needs reinforcement. What's more, even if a message stays the same, each new generation has to receive it for themselves. There’s an old saying, 'God has no grandchildren, only children'. Each individual must hear the good news of faith for himself, and make his own, personal response to it. We can't believe on behalf of another person, nor can we impose faith upon another. It must be received by the individual. That puts responsibilities upon us - how do we keep the same message, and yet present it in a way that it can be heard by the generation in which we live?

This is no new question. There has always been a need to present the message in a way that it will be heard. Deuteronomy means "Second Law", and much of it seems to repeat what we have already read in the earlier books of Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. It is the fifth of the books labelled ‘The Book of Moses’, and it is set in the final month of Moses’ life, by which time the Hebrews were on the top of Mount Nebo, looking out across the Dead Sea into the Promised Land. The wilderness wanderings are almost over. So why do we need this book that tells us what we already know? It contains three main elements: it is a book of law; a book of sermons; and a book of history.

As an historical book, Deuteronomy carries forward the story of Moses to his death, and the appointment of Joshua as his successor. So it is set at a significant moment in the life of the nation, even if it only carries the story forward by a few months.

But the book consists mainly of speeches, not events. Many individual laws are stated, which repeat, or reinforce, the earlier books of law. But primarily, this is a book of sermons, within which are narrated the laws of Israel. What we have, in Deuteronomy, is the law being set in an historical context. Deuteronomy is set beyond the Jordan, or in other words, shortly before Moses' death and the Israelites’ entry into the Promised Land. Moses is passing the law on to the next generation - reminding them that the law that had been given to their forebears at Mount Sinai (otherwise known as Mount Horeb) some forty years earlier, also applies to them. By this time, the original generation of Hebrews who had fled from Egypt, crossed the Red Sea and been given the Law has virtually died out, and now, a new generation must enter the Promised Land, and maintain the faith. Deuteronomy is a reminder to them that God’s law must continue to stand at the heart of their corporate life as well as their individual lives. It is a re-statement of all that is really important - the essentials of faith for the nation.

In a similar way, we know that we have a responsibility to pass on the gospel message to the next generation. The message needs to be repeated, reiterated, and re-affirmed in order that the younger generation knows that what we believe is also for them. As the old saying goes:

'The church is always just one generation away from extinction.' (Anon)

Unless we share what we believe then the church will not have a future.

So the book of Deuteronomy begins, ‘These are the words.....’ It follows directly after the Book of Numbers, and now we must move from numbers to consider a book of words. It fact, ‘Words’ is the Hebrew title for the book - which actually makes more sense than ‘Second Law’, given that it is almost entirely a series of discourses. It is a title that is worthy of consideration. We live in a world in which words are poured out at an alarming rate. They are around us all the time. Modern technology merely serves to increase the flow of words. How do we cope amidst this sea of ever-increasing words? How essential that we listen to the right words!

Of course, we have to be selective. It behoves us to find the words that really count - words that matter. Moses claims to be bringing the word of the Lord. In effect he is saying, these are important words - words that count, words which we need to listen to. Jesus himself considered Deuteronomy to be a book that was worth repeating. He quoted from it extensively. This alone suggests that it merits our close attention. And may we never forget: when we come to the words of life, we turn to a Saviour who himself is described as 'The Word' of God. In St. John's gospel, we discover the single Word – the Word whose birth we celebrate at Christmas, and who brings the message of good news to people of all time, and all places.

By placing Deuteronomy within a historical situation, we notice an important point. Faith in God is not just a vague belief about what might be. Human time and events are important. We are not caught up in a cycle of 'ever circling years'. History is going somewhere, and so are we. God is concerned with the immediate event. Faith is relevant to where we are and what we are doing, right now, at this moment. God gives us guidance and directions that are necessary and helpful to His followers in particular situations. As times change, therefore, God's guidance needs to be reapplied to meet changing circumstances. As we read the Scriptures, we too must apply them, and consider how they speak to us today.

So, at the start of Deuteronomy, we meet the people of Israel at a significant moment in the nation’s history. The wilderness years are behind them, the Promised Land lies in front of them. The moment has come. This is a time for reflection, stocktaking, and preparation, for challenge, warning, and guidance. And at the heart of the message, is Moses, the leader who is about to pass on the mantle to another - the last of the old generation bringing the message of the Lord to the new generation. And Moses' message is authenticated. It is not merely his own message that he is bringing – this is the Word of the Lord.

Moses begins his discourse with three chapters of history. Deuteronomy chapters 1-3 offer a neat summary of the wilderness journeys. Story telling is an important art. Whenever a family gets together, you tend to get lots of stories. 'Do you remember the time when....?' That is how children gain a sense of belonging. They discover themselves to be part of a unit, which gives them an identity. So here is Moses talking to the next generation of Israelites, those who have been born in the desert, and who do not have the memory of what life was like in Egypt, where they have come from, or why they are there. They are learning the lessons of their family history.

History, and a sense of identity are important. That is what Moses is giving to the Israelites in this book. As Christians, we have a somewhat different story to tell, but how important it is that we know our story – so that we can relate what the Lord has done for us. So Deuteronomy challenges us to turn again to the gospel story, from which we derive our identity. We must be aware of the story of Jesus Christ - what He has done for us, and what faith in Him means for us. Then, we too, like the Israelites of old, will ensure that faith remains at the centre of all that we do.

The structure of Deuteronomy can be divided into three parts: the story so far – how God has brought the people to this point; living as God’s people – a reiteration of the Law; the future – a call to faithfulness in the future life of the nation and a warning about the consequences of failing to follow God. Throughout all of this teaching runs the theme of covenant – the importance of remaining faithful to God, who has done so much to lead His people.

The Story So Far: Deuteronomy 1:1 – 4:43

Moses gives a potted history of the journey through the wilderness. Beginning at Mount Horeb (Sinai), the story unfolds with the appointment of leaders, the sending of the twelve spies into the Promised Land, the people’s refusal to enter the land, the consequent wanderings in the wilderness, the journey up to Moab, the defeat of two kings – Sihon and Og and the conquest of East Jordan. This section ends with a reminder of God’s faithfulness throughout the journey, and a call to faithfulness and obedience on the part of the nation.

And now, O Israel, give heed to the statutes and the ordinances which I teach you, and do them; that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, gives you. You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it; that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you…......know therefore this day, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. Therefore, you shall keep his statutes and his commandments, which I command you this day, that it may go well with you, and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which the Lord your God gives you for ever.” (Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 39-40)

Note that here are good reasons for keeping the Law of the Lord. Residency in the Promised Land is conditional upon obedience to God. ‘If you then become corrupt and make any kind of idol, doing evil in the eyes of the Lord your God and arousing his anger, 26 I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you this day that you will quickly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.’ (Deuteronomy 4:25-26)

Living as God’s people (Deuteronomy 4:44 – 26:19)

This resumé of the Law is included because it reminds the people of all the salient aspects of the Law upon which the Covenant is based. It is a long section and contains ‘the meat’ of the book. It begins with the Ten Commandments and then continues to outline the moral, ceremonial, civil and social aspects of the law. The Law contains the essence of how the people should live if they are to maintain their relationship with God. It can be summarized in two direct verses:

‘And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul’ (Deuteronomy 10:12 – 13).

As he repeats the Law, Moses is putting it into a context. He describes how he was given the Law (5:2-6), and he applies it to the nation’s present circumstances. So repeatly he says, ‘When you enter the land…’ This is no academic exercise. This is a Law for real people, living in real circumstances who are called to a living relationship with their Lord. There are many well-known verses, calling on the people to learn and apply the Law to their daily lives and share it with their children, and so keep alive the true faith.

This presentation of the Law ends with a bold endorsement:

‘The Lord your God commands you this day to follow these decrees and laws; carefully observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. 17 You have declared this day that the Lord is your God and that you will walk in obedience to him, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws—that you will listen to him. 18 And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands. 19 He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised’ (Deuteronomy 26:16-19).

The Future (27:1 – 34:12)

The final section of Moses’ teaching looks to the future, as he stands on the top of Mount Nebo, looking out at the land which he will never enter, but upon which so much hope and expectation rests for the nation. He tells the people what they must do when they enter the land and reminds them of the blessings that will follow from obedience to God and the curses that are the consequences of disobedience. As he begins his discourse, Moses ratifies the covenant:

And Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel, “Keep silence and hear, O Israel: this day you have become the people of the Lord your God. You shall therefore obey the voice of the Lord your God, keeping his commandments and his statutes, which I command you this day” (Deuteronomy 27: 9 – 10).

Moses appoints Joshua to be his successor and delivers an emotional farewell address to the people (chapters 32 - 33).

‘Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” ’ (Deuteronomy 31:7-8).

And finally….

The Book of Deuteronomy makes a later appearance in the Old Testament. There is a story set during the reign of King Josiah (2 Kings 22) when a Book of the Law was ‘found’ during renovation work on the Temple. This was most probably a copy of Deuteronomy which seems to have fallen into dis-use. Josiah had it read aloud and its rediscovery caused the king to radically reform the spiritual life of the nation. It can have a similar effect upon us if we will open ourselves up to its message.

Its function, alongside the other books of the Pentateuch, is perhaps similar to that of St John’s Gospel alongside the three Synoptic Gospels – it covers the same information but organises it differently and makes a profoundly spiritual point. It calls us to recognise that God is Lord of every aspect of life – past, present and future.

‘I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice, and cleaving to him; for that means life to you and length of days, that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.’ (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)