Family Devotionals

  • Deuteronomy

    The book of Deuteronomy is a restatement of the Law to a new generation of Israelites who were about to enter the promised land. The Hebrew name for the book literally means “These are the words.” In Jewish tradition, it is called Mishneh Torah, which means “repetition” or “copy of the law.” It is written in ancient treaty or covenant form. It restates the basic commandments given through Moses, and warns the new generation of Israelites not to depart from the precepts given to them by God. Blessings are pronounced upon them if they carefully follow God’s commandments; curses await them if they turn from following the commandments (ch. 28).

    To ensure that the Law would be kept through each generation following, they were to teach the commandments of God diligently to their children (4:9; 6:4-9). Had they been diligent to do this, the history of the nation might have turned out much differently. But ultimately, they were not “careful to do” all that God had commanded.

    Moses’ final address to the children of Israel before his death, and before they crossed the Jordan, is filled exhortation. “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you” (31:6). He gave orders for the Law to be read by the priests to all the people “at the end of every seven years.” This would ensure that every generation would hear the Law. There would be no excuse for any of the children of Israel to be ignorant of the commandments of God. How sad that years later, God’s people would be destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6), and for going after other gods (31:16-18).

    Discussion
    1. What is the book of Deuteronomy? Why was it important to Israel?

    2. What did Moses say that parents should diligently do? How can parents learn from this today?

    3. Read chapter 28 and discuss the blessings and cursings. What were they? How could they avoid God’s judgment?

    4. What lessons can Christians learn from Deuteronomy? Why is this book significant to us today?