The Book of Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy, the fifth Book of the Jewish Torah and the Greek Pentateuch, was so named by the Greek version of the Old Testament the Septuagint (LXX). The book got its name by a misreading of Deut. 17:18 which indicates that the Book is "a copy or repetition of the Law previously given at Sinai". Actually the Law given in Deuteronomy is somewhat different from the Sinai Law. Jews call the Book "Elleh haddevarim" meaning "These are the Words" or simply Devarim meaning "words". In Jewish tradition it is called "Mishneh Torah" meaning a repetition or copy of the Law. In an event the Book is composed a speech of Moses given to the Israelites in Moab as they prepare to cross the Jordan to take possession of Canaan. The first law was given for the Israelites in the wilderness. This second law applies to an entirely new nation as they prepare to enter into Canaan. 


The Book is almost entirely a dialog by Moses covering many areas. Much of it is repetition. However it was necessary to repeat the Law for the children of those who had perished in the wilderness by the judgments of God since may have not have been familiar with the first law. The Ten Commandments are redone, the three feasts are reiterated, a complete history of their wanderings in the wilderness is given and a review of the basic law is spoken. The book is almost a condensation of the Books of Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers, presented to an entirely new generation. 


The most significant part of the Book is Moses for us today is the warning of the blessings or the curses that will befall Israel in its coming history dependent on whether they followed God or not. In those passages are answers to those who ask why there is evil in the world despite a loving God. Moses makes it very clear that if a nation follows God they will receive only blessings. But if it does not follow God, He will bring curses. Moses said: "See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I am commanding you today; and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following other gods which you have not known" (Du. 11:26-28).