05 - Deuteronomy
TLDR: Moses' farewell: restating the law, calling Israel to love and obey the LORD, and pointing to a prophet like him. "Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart."
Overarching Storyline
First speech: history and exhortation (ch. 1–4). Second speech: the law (ch. 5–26). Covenant renewal, blessings and curses (ch. 27–30). Joshua commissioned; Moses' song and death (ch. 31–34).
Bible Project: Deuteronomy overview.
Pegs for Memorizing This Book
- Person: Moses (lawgiver, prophet), Joshua (successor).
- Image: Two tablets, promised land, "choose life."
- Number: 10 (commandments repeated), 6:7 (teach when you sit, walk, lie down, rise).
- Phrase: Shema (6:4–5); "man does not live by bread alone" (8:3; Jesus in Matt 4:4).
Highlights
- Deuteronomy 6:4–5 — Shema: Hear, O Israel.
- Deuteronomy 6:7 — Impress the Word on your children (Deut 6:7 pattern for spaced repetition).
- Deuteronomy 18:15 — A prophet like me (Christ).
- Deuteronomy 30:19 — Choose life.
(Link to verse entries and meditations as added.)
Before and After
- Before: Numbers leaves Israel on the plains of Moab; Deuteronomy is Moses' final teaching there.
- After: Joshua leads into the land; Deuteronomy sets the terms of covenant loyalty for life in the land.
Place in the Overarching Biblical Story
Covenant and the Word. The law is to be internalized and taught. Jesus quotes Deuteronomy in temptation (Matt 4); the greatest commandment comes from 6:5.
Interesting Facts
- Prophet like Moses (18:15) — Applied to Christ in Acts 3:22.
- Curses and exile (ch. 28–29) — Frame Israel's later history and hope of restoration.