Deuteronomy

Author: Moses
Date of Writing: 1450-1410 BC
Type of Book: Fifth and last book of the Pentateuch, the book of the Law
Theme: Love and obedience to the Law

Deuteronomy (which means "second law") is a series of lectures that Moses gave to the next generation as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. Moses wrote the book of Deuteronomy, except for the last few verses that record his death. It is believed that Joshua wrote these verses.

Moses was a great leader. No one before or since seems to have had a closer communion with God than Moses. God spoke with him "face to face, as a man speaks to his friend" (Exodus 33:11). He was mightily used by God and he was a hero to the nation.

Although Moses led the people from Egypt all the way to the Jordan River, he did not lead them into the land because of his disobedience to the command of God. So before Moses died, he exhorted the next generation how important it is to obey God's commandments. The next generation that would enter the land did not remember what it was like to be slaves in Egypt. Other than Joshua and Caleb, they were only little kids or they hadn't been born yet when God delivered Israel from slavery. And thus, Moses wanted to give them a good history lesson concerning what God had said and done, and what happens when you don't obey the Lord. And he used himself as an example of what disobedience can cost,

Moses also desired that the children of this next generation would each have their own personal relationship with the Lord and commanded them "to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength" (Deut. 6:5). Moses used the word "love" sixteen times in this book and "observe" (meaning "to obey") twenty-one times. Accordingly, the theme of this book is love and obedience.

An interesting side note: Jesus quoted from the book of Deuteronomy more than any other Old Testament book. When Satan tempted Him, each assault was deflected with a quote from Deuteronomy.

-from Pastor Chuck Smith: The Word for Today Bible