The Pentateuch | xxxvii
Deuteronomy Deuteronomy is both the summation of the Pentateuch and essentially the first book of prophecy . The book is basically Moses ’ prophetic sermon , and it foretells Israel ’ s disobedience , destruction and eventual restoration ( Dt 29:22 — 30:5 ). Deuteronomy 1 – 4 summarizes the story of Israel in the wilderness , and the bulk of Deuteronomy 5 – 26 restates , expands upon or modifies the laws given in Exodus , Leviticus and Numbers . Deuteronomy 5:1 – 21 , for example , restates the Ten Commandments from Exodus 20:1 – 17 . Deuteronomy is also the restatement of the Sinai Covenant between Yahweh and Israel . The book is similar to suzerain-vassal treaties from the fourteenth century BC . In these treaties , a superior “ suzerain ” state makes a covenant with a subordinate “ vassal ” state ; this type of relationship is similar to Yahweh ’ s covenant with Israel . Thus Deuteronomy is in some respect similar to these ancient treaties .
THE PENTATEUCH AND THE REST OF SCRIPTURE
Taken as a whole , the Pentateuch is a coherent and unified work . Together these books assert that people are estranged from Yahweh due to sin , but Yahweh chose Israel and gave them a unique identity and mission as his people in order to bring blessing to all the nations of the earth . In the histories and prophecies of the Old Testament , Israel , like the rest of the humanity , demonstrates its sinfulness ; but the promise of salvation is sustained as prophets pointed Yahweh ’ s people toward a new and marvelous work that he would do in the future . In the Messiah , Jesus , we see how Yahweh ’ s covenant love finally overcomes human sin and discover that truly “ salvation is from the Jews ” ( Jn 4:22 ).
Duane Garrett