Deuteronomy is the fifth and final book of the Pentateuch. Its name comes from a Greek phrase meaning "second law", because in it Moses repeats and explains God's law for a new generation. But Deuteronomy is not just a list of rules. It is a passionate series of sermons by an old leader who loved his people and longed for them to love God.
The setting
Forty years have passed since the exodus. The generation that left Egypt has died in the wilderness. The new generation is camped on the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, ready to enter Canaan. Moses, now 120 years old, knows he will not enter the land with them. Before he dies, he gathers the people to remind them of God's faithfulness and call them to wholehearted obedience.
The structure of Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy is arranged as a series of speeches, following a pattern similar to ancient covenant treaties:
| Chapters | Content |
|---|---|
| 1–4 | Looking back — Moses reviews the journey from Sinai |
| 5–11 | The heart of the covenant — the Ten Commandments and the call to love God |
| 12–26 | Detailed laws for worship, justice and daily life in the land |
| 27–30 | Blessings and curses — and the call to choose life |
| 31–34 | Moses' farewell — his song, blessing and death |
The Shema: the heart of Deuteronomy
The best-known passage in Deuteronomy is the Shema (from the Hebrew word for "hear"), still recited daily by Jewish people:
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." (Deuteronomy 6:4–5, KJV)
When Jesus was asked which commandment was the greatest, he quoted this verse (Mark 12:29–30).
Faith in the family
Deuteronomy places strong emphasis on passing faith to the next generation:
"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." (Deuteronomy 6:6–7, KJV)
Faith was not just for the tabernacle; it was to shape everyday family conversation. This remains a powerful encouragement for parents today — see our guide to starting family devotions.
Key themes
1. Remember
The word "remember" appears again and again. Israel was to remember that they had been slaves in Egypt and that God had rescued them. Forgetting God's past faithfulness leads to pride and disobedience, especially in times of plenty (8:11–18).
2. Love
Deuteronomy uses the language of love more than any other book of the Law. God loved Israel not because they were great, but simply because he chose to (7:7–8). In return, Israel was to love him with all their heart.
3. Obedience brings blessing
Moses set out blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (chapter 28). Obedience was not a way to earn God's love but the right response to it.
4. Care for the vulnerable
Deuteronomy's laws show deep concern for the poor, widows, orphans, foreigners, servants and even animals. Farmers were to leave some of their harvest for those in need (24:19–22).
5. Choose life
Near the end, Moses sets out a clear choice:
"I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." (Deuteronomy 30:19, KJV)
Moses' death
In the final chapter, Moses climbs Mount Nebo and sees the promised land from a distance. He dies there, and God himself buries him. The book closes with a tribute: "there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face" (34:10).
Deuteronomy and Jesus
- When tempted in the wilderness, Jesus answered the devil three times with quotations from Deuteronomy (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10; quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, 6:16 and 6:13).
- Moses promised that God would raise up "a Prophet… like unto me" (18:15). The New Testament sees Jesus as that prophet (Acts 3:22).
Why read Deuteronomy today?
Deuteronomy calls every generation to remember God's grace, love him with all their heart, teach their children, care for the needy, and choose life.
Continue with Joshua and the promised land, or go back to the Ten Commandments.