Bible 101: Lesson 6

Deuteronomy

This is the fifth and last of the books of Moses. It contains a partial restatement and expansion of the laws found in the previous four books, and is the book most often quoted by Jesus in the Gospels.

Deuteronomy continues where Numbers leaves off. The Israelites have wandered in the desert for forty years, and are now camped on the plains of Moab, ready to invade the Promised Land. God’s laws are rehearsed and expounded for this new generation by Moses during the last week of his life. He also takes the opportunity to warn them against disobeying God and to encourage them to follow the true path.

There are three main divisions of the book. In Chapters 1-11, Moses reminds the Israelites of their 40-year saga with God. In Chapters 12-28 he takes them through most of God’s law again. Finally in Chapters 29-34 he preaches his final sermon to them, challenging them, singing to them, and finally blessing them before he walks up a mountain to die.

Messianic Prophecies in Deuteronomy

A prophet like Moses
OT References: Deut 18:15, 18-19
NT Fulfillment: Matt 21:11; Luke 7:16, 39; John 1:21, 25; 6:14; 7:40; Acts 3:22-23

Cursed by hanging on a tree
OT References: Deut 21:23
NT Fulfillment: Gal 3:13