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What Is the Dominant Theme of the Book of
Deuteronomy?
by Flora Richards-Gustafson, Demand Media
Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Torah and of the
Bible’s Old Testament. When translated from the Greek
Septuagint, the word “Deuteronomy” means “second
law,” as in Moses’ re­telling of God’s laws. The dominant
theological theme in this book is the renewal of God’s
covenant and Moses’ call to obedience, as evident in
Deuteronomy 4: 1, 6 and 13; 30: 1 to 3 and 8 to 20.
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People throughout the Bible refer to the Laws
of Moses.
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Summary of Deuteronomy
The accounts in Deuteronomy occur in Moab, 40 days before the
Israelites enter the Promised Land, Canaan. At 120 years old,
Moses knew that he would soon die, so he took the opportunity to
issue a call to obedience and review God’s covenants. Moses
recounts the experiences of the past 40 years in the wilderness,
restates the Ten Commandments, and gives the Israelites
guidelines to follow regarding different aspects of life. He tells the
people that he will die before they enter the Promised Land and
appoints Joshua to take his place. Moses gave the Israelites three
reasons to renew their obedience to God: God’s history of
goodness to his people, the goodness of God’s laws, and God’s
unconditional promises of blessings for the future.
God’s Covenant Renewed and Reviewed
In the book of Exodus, the Israelites broke their covenant with God by refusing to obey him and enter the
Promised Land of Canaan. Therefore, the Israelites must renew their covenant before they can settle in
Canaan. This covenant is the same unconditional promise that God made with Abraham. Theologically, the
renewal of the covenant with the Israelites is important because it demonstrates that God keeps and fulfills
his promises regardless of the faithfulness and obedience of his followers. Since the occupation of the
Promised Land was dependent on God’s renewed blessing and the obeying of his laws, it was necessary for
the Israelites to renew their part of the covenant and serve him, as outlined in Deuteronomy 10: 12 to 13; 11:
31 to 32.
Deuteronomic Code
In Deuteronomy 12 through 26, Moses outlines the Deuteronomic, or Covenant, Code for the people of
Israel to follow regarding their conduct and worship. This code includes the Ten Commandments and
Moses’ urging to love and fear the Lord in chapters 5 through 11. The code has rules regarding religious
observances, public officials, family life and community life. Moses also outlined civil and criminal laws.
Terms of the Covenant Renewal
In Deuteronomy, God was more concerned about the willingness of the Israelites to renew their
commitment with him than their need to recommit. God wanted his people to obey him wholeheartedly,
thus the emphasis Moses places on obedience to God and the commandments. In chapters 27 to 30, Moses
celebrates the recommitment of the covenant with promises of blessings from God, but warns his people of
the curses that would follow disobedience, showing that God set the terms of the covenant renewal. Terms
of the renewed covenant included not worshiping false gods, not following the desires of a stubborn heart,
and not abandoning the covenant with God. The Israelites are to love God, keep his commandments and
obey the laws.
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References
Bible Gateway: Deuteronomy 4; Deuteronomy 30 (New International Version)
(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+4%2C+30&version=NIV)
Barry Bandstra: Chapter 5, Deuteronomy: The Torah of Moses(http://barrybandstra.com/rtot4/rtot408-ch5.html)
Tri-County Church of Christ: Introduction to
Deuteronomy(http://www.christistheway.com/2002/a02a11aa.html)
Bible.org: Analysis and Synthesis of the Book of Deuteronomy(https://bible.org/seriespage/analysisand-synthesis-book-deuteronomy)
Bible Gateway: Deuteronomy 10; Deuteronomy 11 (New International Version)
(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+10%2C+11&version=NIV)
Bible Gateway: Deuteronomy 27-30 (New International Version)
(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+27-30&version=NIV)
About the Author
Flora Richards-Gustafson has been writing professionally since 2003. She creates copy for websites,
marketing materials and printed publications. Richards-Gustafson specializes in SEO and writing about
small-business strategies, health and beauty, interior design, emergency preparedness and education.
Richards-Gustafson received a Bachelor of Arts from George Fox University in 2003 and was recognized by
Cambridge's "Who's Who" in 2009 as a leading woman entrepreneur.
Photo Credits
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