BIBLE BOOK GUIDE
Deuteronomy
34 chapters
Before entering the Promised Land, Moses restates God's law, covenant, and love, calling the new generation of Israel to love God fully and obey His word.
Deuteronomy
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Why this book was written
Written for the new generation of Israelites about to enter Canaan after forty years in the wilderness, Moses restates the law on the plains of Moab, urging them to remember God's guidance, keep the covenant, turn from idolatry, and warning them through blessings and curses that obedience leads to blessing while disobedience brings judgment.
Structure
- 1–4First Sermon: Remembering the Wilderness and the Covenant
- 5–11Second Sermon: The Decalogue and the Command to Love God
- 12–26Third Sermon: Statutes, Judgments, and Covenant Living
- 27–30Covenant Renewal: Blessings, Curses, and the Choice
- 31–34Moses' Final Words, Song, and Death
Major themes
Reaffirmation of the Law and Covenant
Moses restates the Ten Commandments and covenant stipulations to the new generation on the plains of Moab, calling them to recommit to the LORD before entering the promised land (Deut. 5; 28–29).
Love for God with Whole Heart
The Shema (6:5) commands wholehearted love for the LORD, shaping the book's theology of devotion, obedience, and covenant loyalty.
Obedience and the Promised Land
Obedience brings blessing and security in Canaan; rebellion triggers curses and exile. The book starkly contrasts blessing and curse (11:26–28; ch. 28).
One True God and Rejection of Idolatry
The LORD alone is God; Israel must worship Him without images and resist syncretism with Canaanite religion (6:4; ch. 12).
Justice, Mercy, and Social Ethics
The law defends widows, orphans, sojourners, and the poor through sabbath years and debt release, reflecting God's holiness and compassion (14:28–29; ch. 15; 24:17–22).
Passing Down the Faith
Parents must teach children the law and God's deeds, using feasts, symbols, and oral tradition to transmit faith across generations (6:6–9; 11:18–21).
How it points to Christ
Deuteronomy sets the stage for Christ: as the culminating word of Moses, it points to the greater Mediator. Moses foretells a prophet like himself (18:15–18), identified in Acts 3:22 as Jesus. The covenant blessings and curses (chs. 27–28) meet their fulfillment at the cross, where Christ bears the curse so that blessing might come to all nations (Gal. 3:13–14). The promised return and rest (30:1–10) anticipate the ultimate rest and redemption accomplished in Christ.
Key verses
- 6:4–5Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD; love the LORD with all heart, soul, and might — the heart of the whole law.
- 6:6–9God's words bound on hand, frontlet between eyes, written on doorposts and gates — a model for embedding God's word in daily life.
- 10:12–13What God requires: to fear Him, walk in His ways, love Him, serve Him with all heart, and keep His commands — a summary of covenant living.
- 28:1–2If you obey the LORD your God and keep His commands, you will be blessed — the promise of blessing through obedience.
- 30:11–20The commandment is not too hard; God calls Israel to choose life between death and blessing — a key text on repentance and choice.
- 31:6Be strong and courageous, for the LORD goes with you — the promise for entering the land and a living hope beyond it.
- 32:4He is the Rock, His work is perfect, all His ways are just — Moses' song proclaims God's faithfulness and justice.
- 34:10No prophet has since arisen in Israel like Moses — the fitting close to Moses' role as mediator and prophet.
Reflections on Deuteronomy
People in this book
Questions for reflection
- ·What does it mean for you today to love the LORD with all your heart, soul, and strength (6:5)? Are there hidden idols competing for your devotion?
- ·As you read the blessings and curses of Deuteronomy 28, which path do you recognize more in your own life? Where is God calling you to turn?
- ·How are you intentionally passing down your faith to the next generation—children, disciples, or others? What concrete step does 6:6–9 prompt in you?
- ·Deuteronomy 16 stresses justice and integrity. In your community, who are the 'widows and orphans' being overlooked, and how can you tangibly care for them?
- ·Moses sets before Israel life and death, blessing and curse (30:15–20). What key choice faces you today, and how will you choose life?
Want to read Deuteronomy start to finish? Open the reader for parallel Chinese/English text and ask anything as you go.
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Chapter 27
1And Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandment which I command you this day.
2And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over the Jordan unto the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaster them with plaster:
3and thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over; that thou mayest go in unto the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, as Jehovah, the God of thy fathers, hath promised thee.
4And it shall be, when ye are passed over the Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaster them with plaster.
5And there shalt thou build an altar unto Jehovah thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt lift up no iron tool upon them.
6Thou shalt build the altar of Jehovah thy God of unhewn stones; and thou shalt offer burnt-offerings thereon unto Jehovah thy God:
7and thou shalt sacrifice peace-offerings, and shalt eat there; and thou shalt rejoice before Jehovah thy God.
8And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.
9And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, Keep silence, and hearken, O Israel: this day thou art become the people of Jehovah thy God.
10Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of Jehovah thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.
11And Moses charged the people the same day, saying,
12These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are passed over the Jordan: Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin.
13And these shall stand upon mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
14And the Levites shall answer, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice,
15Cursed be the man that maketh a graven or molten image, an abomination unto Jehovah, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and setteth it up in secret. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.
16Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
17Cursed be he that removeth his neighbor's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.
18Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.
19Cursed be he that wresteth the justice due to the sojourner, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.
20Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife, because he hath uncovered his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.
21Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.
22Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
23Cursed be he that lieth with his mother-in-law. And all the people shall say, Amen.
24Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbor in secret. And all the people shall say, Amen.
25Cursed be he that taketh a bribe to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.
26Cursed be he that confirmeth not the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.