Deuteronomy Blessings and Curses 1 What is Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy Blessings and Curses

1. What is Deuteronomy? A. Name means Second Law B. Deuteronomy is a renewal of the Sinaitic covenant with the new generations of Israelites. C. Focus is on entering the land, and life in the land

2. The HISTORICAL SITUATION of Deuteronomy • Moses is 120 years old • On the plains of Moab • Series of speeches preparing Israel to enter and live in the land

3. The PURPOSE of Deuteronomy To remind Israel of God’s past and present grace toward his people, and to articulate how Israel can maintain a covenant relationship with their God in the promised land.

4. OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY I. ENTERING THE LAND (Deut 1 -11) II. LIFE IN THE LAND (Deut 12 -26) III. BLESSINGS AND CURSES OF THE LAND (Deut 27 -33) IV. DEATH OF MOSES (Deut 34)

5. Major Themes in Deuteronomy 1. Deuteronomy emphasizes Israel’s relationship with God – "Hear" - 50 times; "Do, keep, observe" - 177 time – Book of dos and don’ts? Legalism? a. Obedience = a response to grace, not a means of earning it Deut 10: 14 -16: 14 Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. 15 Yet the LORD set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day. 16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and

5. Major Themes in Deuteronomy 1. Deuteronomy emphasizes Israel’s relationship with God a. Obedience = a response to grace, not a means of earning it b. Obedience will foster a rich relationship with God and lead to a blessed life • Deut 30: 20 20 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. " • Deut 32: 47 47 For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess. "

5. Major Themes in Deuteronomy 2. Deuteronomy emphasizes God’s unconditional love for Israel, and Israel’s call to love God from the heart a. God’s unconditional love for Israel • Deut 2: 7 7 For the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He knows your going through this great wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing. "' • Deut 4: 7 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? • Deut 6: 5 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

5. Major Themes in Deuteronomy 3. Important eschatological features in the book a. Law of the King: Deut 17: 14 -20 Future king Chosen by God (v. 15) “among his countrymen” (v. 15) Not multiply horses, wives, gold or silver (vv. 16 -17) Follow the law, meditate on it (vv. 18 -20) – Cf. Nathan (2 Sam 12) • Not be proud (heart lifted up above his countrymen) (v. • • •

5. Major Themes in Deuteronomy 3. Important eschatological features in the book a. Law of the King: Deut 17: 14 -20 b. Blessings and Curses of the Covenant: Deut 2730 c. Israel’s future rebellion and God’s “unilateral” redemption • Exile is predicted (Deut 4: 26 -31) • Moses prediction (Deut 31) • God’s unilateral redemption – They will need a “new heart” Deut 30: 6 – Blessing by God, not man (Deut 32; 33: 26 -29!)