THE FIFTH BOOK OF MOSES CALLED
DEUTERONOMY
O U T L I N E
The purpose of the book of Deuteronomy is to whet the peoples’ appetite for the enjoyment of Canaan, and at the same time to remind them of the responsibilities that would come with those privileges. There is a recounting of things in the first eleven chapters, as well a preparation for the land. In some ways, the first part of Deuteronomy is a picture of the judgment seat of Christ where our lives are reviewed and we are prepared for eternity with Christ.
The title of this book, which translated into English, is “Second-Law,” indicates its character; for in it Moses recapitulates and enforces the whole law system to which Israel was committed.
Deuteronomy vs. Leviticus. in Deuteronomy we have comparatively little of rites and ceremonies. The Lord is seen more in direct communication with the people; and even the priests, in their official capacity, come rarely before us.
Why are we here? The older generation was passing away, and God gave the book of Deuteronomy to show the grown up younger generation how that had got to where they were. God explained the failure of the older generation, and pleaded with these younger ones not to make the same mistake, but rather to remain obedient. It was this younger generation who would inherit the land, and God tells them the conditions on which they could remain in the land. As an application, we need to understand our place in time. The church, like Israel, is under the governmental hand of God because of the failure of the previous generations. We are not called to live in Pentecostal days. God is now working with a remnant testimony (ever since Thyatira).