bs625 pentateuch session 13: deuteronomy and deuteronomic theology

BS625BS625PentateuPentateu

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Session 13:Session 13:

Deuteronomy and Deuteronomy and

Deuteronomic TheologyDeuteronomic Theology

DeuteronomyDeuteronomyWe get the English title We get the English title

“Deuteronomy” from the Latin “Deuteronomy” from the Latin deuteronomiumdeuteronomium, a transliteration of , a transliteration of a compound Greek word: a compound Greek word: deuterosdeuteros

(“second”) and (“second”) and nomosnomos (“law”). (“law”).

The original Hebrew title is The original Hebrew title is debarimdebarim (“words”) from the first Hebrew (“words”) from the first Hebrew

word of the text.word of the text.

DeuteronomyDeuteronomyDeuteronomy is given in the form of Deuteronomy is given in the form of Moses’ final address to the children Moses’ final address to the children

of Israel. of Israel.

Much of the material is repeated Much of the material is repeated from earlier sections of the from earlier sections of the

Pentateuch and some sections that Pentateuch and some sections that are rewritten altogether.are rewritten altogether.

DeuteronomyDeuteronomyQuestions For Our Study of DeuteronomyQuestions For Our Study of Deuteronomy:: What is the connection to Josiah’s reform What is the connection to Josiah’s reform

(640 – 609) (2 Sam )?(640 – 609) (2 Sam )? When was Deuteronomy written?When was Deuteronomy written? Was Deuteronomy originally intended to Was Deuteronomy originally intended to

be part of the Torah or was it added be part of the Torah or was it added later?later?

What was the original purpose of What was the original purpose of Deuteronomy?Deuteronomy?

DeuteronomyDeuteronomy

The theology of Deuteronomy has The theology of Deuteronomy has been simplified by Blenkinsopp as, been simplified by Blenkinsopp as,

““one God, one people, one one God, one people, one sanctuary.”sanctuary.”

DeuteronomyDeuteronomy One God (strict “monotheism”)One God (strict “monotheism”) One people (“covenant” and One people (“covenant” and

“choice”)“choice”) One sanctuary (“land” and later One sanctuary (“land” and later

“temple”)“temple”)

YHWH, Law, Covenant, LandYHWH, Law, Covenant, Land

DeuteronomyDeuteronomyDeuteronomy 5:1-21Deuteronomy 5:1-21

1 1 Moses convened all Israel, and said to them: Moses convened all Israel, and said to them: Hear, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances that I Hear, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances that I am addressing to you today; you shall learn them am addressing to you today; you shall learn them and observe them diligently. 2 The Lord our God and observe them diligently. 2 The Lord our God made a covenant with us at Horeb. 3Not with our made a covenant with us at Horeb. 3Not with our ancestors did the Lord make this covenant, but ancestors did the Lord make this covenant, but with us, who are all of us here alive today. 4 The with us, who are all of us here alive today. 4 The Lord spoke with you face to face at the mountain, Lord spoke with you face to face at the mountain, out of the fire. 5 (At that time I was standing out of the fire. 5 (At that time I was standing between the Lord and you to declare to you the between the Lord and you to declare to you the words of the Lord; forwords of the Lord; for


you were afraid because of the fire and did not you were afraid because of the fire and did not go up the mountain.) And he said: 6 I am the go up the mountain.) And he said: 6 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; 7 you shall of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; 7 you shall have no other gods before me. 8 You shall not have no other gods before me. 8 You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 9 You shall not bow down to them or the earth. 9 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for thejealous God, punishing children for the


iniquity of parents, to the third and fourth iniquity of parents, to the third and fourth generation of those who reject me, 10 but generation of those who reject me, 10 but showing steadfast love to the thousandth showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my generation of those who love me and keep my commandments. 11 You shall not make wrongful commandments. 11 You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name. 12 Observe the sabbath day and keep it name. 12 Observe the sabbath day and keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you. 13 holy, as the Lord your God commanded you. 13 For six days you shall labour and do all your For six days you shall labour and do all your work. 14 But the seventh day is a sabbath to thework. 14 But the seventh day is a sabbath to the


Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, or your son or your daughter, or your male or or your son or your daughter, or your male or female slave, or your ox or your donkey, or any female slave, or your ox or your donkey, or any of your livestock, or the resident alien in your of your livestock, or the resident alien in your towns, so that your male and female slave may towns, so that your male and female slave may rest as well as you. 15 Remember that you were rest as well as you. 15 Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; therefore the hand and an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Lord your God commanded you to keep the sabbath day. 16 Honor your father andsabbath day. 16 Honor your father and


your mother, as the Lord your God commanded your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. 17 You shall not murder. your God is giving you. 17 You shall not murder. 18 Neither shall you commit adultery. 19 Neither 18 Neither shall you commit adultery. 19 Neither shall you steal. 20 Neither shall you bear false shall you steal. 20 Neither shall you bear false witness against your neighbour. 21 Neither shall witness against your neighbour. 21 Neither shall you covet your neighbor’s wife. Neither shall you you covet your neighbor’s wife. Neither shall you desire your neighbor’s house, or field, or male or desire your neighbor’s house, or field, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. belongs to your neighbor.


1 1 Now this is the commandment—the statutes Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the ordinances—that the Lord your God and the ordinances—that the Lord your God charged me to teach you to observe in the land charged me to teach you to observe in the land that you are about to cross into and occupy, 2 that you are about to cross into and occupy, 2 so that you and your children and your so that you and your children and your children’s children may fear the Lord your God children’s children may fear the Lord your God all the days of your life, and keep all his decrees all the days of your life, and keep all his decrees and his commandments that I am commanding and his commandments that I am commanding you, so that your days may be long. 3 Hear you, so that your days may be long. 3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe them diligently, therefore, O Israel, and observe them diligently, so that it may go well with you, and so so that it may go well with you, and so


that you may multiply greatly in a land that you may multiply greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you. God of your ancestors, has promised you. 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with alone. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. 6 Keep these words that I am all your might. 6 Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. 7 commanding you today in your heart. 7 Recite them to your children and talk about Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you them when you are at home and when you are away, when are away, when


you lie down and when you rise. 8 Bind you lie down and when you rise. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, 9 and write an emblem on your forehead, 9 and write them on the doorposts of your house and them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. on your gates.


16 This very day the Lord your God is 16 This very day the Lord your God is commanding you to observe these statutes and commanding you to observe these statutes and ordinances; so observe them diligently with all ordinances; so observe them diligently with all your heart and with all your soul. 17 Today you your heart and with all your soul. 17 Today you have obtained the Lord’s agreement: to be your have obtained the Lord’s agreement: to be your God; and for you to walk in his ways, to keep his God; and for you to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, his commandments, and his ordinances, statutes, his commandments, and his ordinances, and to obey him. 18 Today the Lord has obtained and to obey him. 18 Today the Lord has obtained your agreement: to be his treasured people, as he your agreement: to be his treasured people, as he promised you, and to keep his commandments; promised you, and to keep his commandments; 19 for him to set you high above19 for him to set you high above


all nations that he has made, in praise and all nations that he has made, in praise and in fame and in honor; and for you to be a in fame and in honor; and for you to be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised. promised.

DeuteronomyDeuteronomyDeuteronomy 28:Deuteronomy 28:

Promises of Blessings for ObediencePromises of Blessings for Obedience Warning of Curses for DisobedienceWarning of Curses for Disobedience

Emphasizing the importance of COVENANTEmphasizing the importance of COVENANT


When all these things have happened to you, the When all these things have happened to you, the blessings and the curses that I have set before blessings and the curses that I have set before you, if you call them to mind among all the you, if you call them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God has driven you, nations where the Lord your God has driven you, 2 and return to the Lord your God, and you and 2 and return to the Lord your God, and you and your children obey him with all your heart and your children obey him with all your heart and with all your soul, just as I am commanding you with all your soul, just as I am commanding you today, 3 then the Lord your God will restore your today, 3 then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you, gathering fortunes and have compassion on you, gathering you again from all the peoples among whom the you again from all the peoples among whom the Lord your God has scattered you. Lord your God has scattered you.


4 Even if you are exiled to the ends of the world, 4 Even if you are exiled to the ends of the world, from there the Lord your God will gather you, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there he will bring you back. 5 The Lord and from there he will bring you back. 5 The Lord your God will bring you into the land that your your God will bring you into the land that your ancestors possessed, and you will possess it; he ancestors possessed, and you will possess it; he will make you more prosperous and numerous will make you more prosperous and numerous than your ancestors. 6 Moreover, the Lord your than your ancestors. 6 Moreover, the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, so that you will love the Lord your descendants, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your your God with all your heart and with all your soul, in order that you may live. soul, in order that you may live.


7 The Lord your God will put all these curses on 7 The Lord your God will put all these curses on your enemies and on the adversaries who took your enemies and on the adversaries who took advantage of you. 8 Then you shall again obey advantage of you. 8 Then you shall again obey the Lord, observing all his commandments that I the Lord, observing all his commandments that I am commanding you today, 9 and the Lord your am commanding you today, 9 and the Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all God will make you abundantly prosperous in all your undertakings, in the fruit of your body, in your undertakings, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your soil. For the Lord will again take delight in soil. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, just as he delighted in prospering you, just as he delighted in prospering your ancestors, 10prospering your ancestors, 10


when you obey the Lord your God by observing when you obey the Lord your God by observing his commandments and decrees that are written his commandments and decrees that are written in this book of the law, because you turn to the in this book of the law, because you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 11 Surely, this commandment that I your soul. 11 Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away. 12 It is not in heaven, you, nor is it too far away. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?’ 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, and observe it?’ 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will crossthat you should say, ‘Who will cross


to the other side of the sea for us, and get it for us to the other side of the sea for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?’ 14No, the so that we may hear it and observe it?’ 14No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe. 15 See, I have set your heart for you to observe. 15 See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. 16 If you obey the commandments of adversity. 16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lordnumerous, and the Lord


your God will bless you in the land that you are your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. 17 But if your heart turns entering to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, 18 I bow down to other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today that you shall perish; you declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 I call heaven the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, 20 loving the Lord yourdescendants may live, 20 loving the Lord your


God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

DeuteronomyDeuteronomyTheology of Deuteronomy:Theology of Deuteronomy:

(1) Enduring Covenant(1) Enduring Covenant

(2) The Land as Promised Blessing(2) The Land as Promised Blessing

(3) One God (Divine Presence)(3) One God (Divine Presence)

(4) Election of Israel in History (Unique (4) Election of Israel in History (Unique relationship between YHWH & Israel)relationship between YHWH & Israel)

(5) Kingship of YHWH (theocracy)(5) Kingship of YHWH (theocracy)

(6) Law and Grace(6) Law and Grace

Deuteronomic Deuteronomic TheologyTheologyDeuteronomy and the Deuteronomist (Dtr)Deuteronomy and the Deuteronomist (Dtr)

Joshua through Kings is designated the Joshua through Kings is designated the “Deuteronomic” or “Deuteronomistic” History“Deuteronomic” or “Deuteronomistic” History

Joshua:Joshua: taking the land (as a sign of the taking the land (as a sign of the covenant promised as far back as Genesis 12)covenant promised as far back as Genesis 12)

Judges:Judges: YHWH maintains the covenant through YHWH maintains the covenant through temporary leaders called “judges”temporary leaders called “judges”

Ruth:Ruth: the quaint story of how a woman is the quaint story of how a woman is redeemed becomes a tale of YHWH’s redeemed becomes a tale of YHWH’s faithfulnessfaithfulness

Samuel & KingsSamuel & Kings – theocracy is rejected and – theocracy is rejected and monarchy establishedmonarchy established

Deuteronomic Deuteronomic TheologyTheology

Deuteronomy and JeremiahDeuteronomy and Jeremiah JosiahJosiah—(640 – 609) righteous king who was —(640 – 609) righteous king who was

killed resisting the spread of Egyptian rulekilled resisting the spread of Egyptian rule Jehoahaz (Shallum)Jehoahaz (Shallum)—son of Josiah —son of Josiah

appointed king after death of his father; appointed king after death of his father; (Jeremiah briefly mentions him in an (Jeremiah briefly mentions him in an unfavorable way; 22:10-12); after three unfavorable way; 22:10-12); after three months he was deposed by Pharaoh Neco months he was deposed by Pharaoh Neco

JehoiakimJehoiakim—became an Egyptian vassal——became an Egyptian vassal—was relentlessly hostile toward Jeremiah was relentlessly hostile toward Jeremiah (36:21-23)(36:21-23)


JehoiachinJehoiachin—when Egyptians lose ground to —when Egyptians lose ground to Nebuchadnezzar, (son of Jehoiakim) ruled Nebuchadnezzar, (son of Jehoiakim) ruled Judah for only 3 months before surrendering Judah for only 3 months before surrendering to Babylonian power in 597 BC.to Babylonian power in 597 BC.

ZedekiahZedekiah—Nebuchadnezzar replaced —Nebuchadnezzar replaced Jehoiachin with his uncle Zedekiah (who Jehoiachin with his uncle Zedekiah (who sometimes sided with and sometimes sometimes sided with and sometimes opposed Jeremiah); reigned 11 years but opposed Jeremiah); reigned 11 years but was a weak, vacillating king; while trying to was a weak, vacillating king; while trying to flee Jerusalem in 586, he was killed by flee Jerusalem in 586, he was killed by BabyloniansBabylonians


GedaliahGedaliah—after a brief reign, he was —after a brief reign, he was killed by his opponents (cf. Jeremiah 41)killed by his opponents (cf. Jeremiah 41)


Deuteronomy and Jeremiah:Deuteronomy and Jeremiah: Judgment for Idolatry (the most Judgment for Idolatry (the most

prominent theme)prominent theme) Promise of deliverance but only after Promise of deliverance but only after

70 years in exile70 years in exile YHWH’s absolute destruction of Judah YHWH’s absolute destruction of Judah

and his judgment of all surrounding and his judgment of all surrounding nationsnations


Deuteronomy and the Prophets:Deuteronomy and the Prophets: Amos—“you and you only”Amos—“you and you only” Hosea—“return to me”Hosea—“return to me” Malachi—sanctity of worshipping YHWH Malachi—sanctity of worshipping YHWH Joel—“return to YHWH and to the Joel—“return to YHWH and to the

covenant”covenant”

Jonah—non-Jews included in the covenant Jonah—non-Jews included in the covenant blessings (pagan sailors, Ninevites, blessings (pagan sailors, Ninevites, animals)animals)


Deuteronomy and the NT:Deuteronomy and the NT:

(Mark 12:28-33) (Mark 12:28-33) 28 One of the scribes came near 28 One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, ‘Which commandment is the first of all?’ 29 him, ‘Which commandment is the first of all?’ 29 Jesus answered, ‘The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Jesus answered, ‘The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 you shall love Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” 31 The second is this, “You shall your strength.” 31 The second is this, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greaterother commandment greater


Deuteronomy and the NT:Deuteronomy and the NT:

than these.’ 32 Then the scribe said to him, than these.’ 32 Then the scribe said to him, ‘You are right, Teacher; you have truly said ‘You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that “he is one, and besides him there is no that “he is one, and besides him there is no other”; 33and “to love him with all the heart, other”; 33and “to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all and with all the understanding, and with all the strength”, and “to love one’s neighbour the strength”, and “to love one’s neighbour as oneself”,—this is much more important as oneself”,—this is much more important than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.’than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.’

bs625 pentateuch session 13: deuteronomy and deuteronomic theology

Documents

lord fordeuteronomydeuteronomy

jealous god

study of deuteronomy

english title deuteronomy

sabbath day

land of egypt

female slave

choiceone sanctuary