After forty years of wandering in the desert, God speaks to His people through the prophet Moses. The Israelites had been waiting to enter the Promised Land since it was promised to Abraham hundreds of years before, and that promise was about to be realized—but first, God wanted to remind His people of His covenant and what they should observe as His people.
Overview
The Book of Deuteronomy was written to God’s people, the Israelites. In the book, God’s people are warned against idolatry and comforted with a reminder of God’s covenant. His promise was about to be fulfilled in the Promised Land, but that promise would be fully fulfilled in Jesus Christ!
Author
Deuteronomy is the final book in the Pentateuch, or the five books of the Old Testament written by Moses. Though Moses wrote this book as God’s people were on the verge of entering Canaan, Moses himself would not be allowed to enter.
Purpose
Deuteronomy was written to the Israelites as they were about to enter the Promised Land. God spoke through Moses to remind His people of His covenant with them, to encourage Israel to put its faith in God, as well as to warn them against idolatry—as they had been prone to take part in before.
Application
As you read Deuteronomy, contemplate the idols in your own life. No matter how many times the Israelites were forgiven, they fell into idolatry again. We do the same thing with whatever pet sin we contend with over and over. Be assured of God’s grace and mercy through these reminders of His covenant!
Key Verses
Deuteronomy 4:7
For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon Him?
Deuteronomy 4:29–31
But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find Him, if you search after Him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in tribulation, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, you will return to the LORD your God and obey His voice. For the LORD your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that He swore to them.
Deuteronomy 8:17–18
Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
Deuteronomy 30:19–20
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him, for He is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
Scripture: ESV®.Confront your own idolatry and be comforted by God’s promises in Deuteronomy.
