We Need Commentary - DEUTERONOMY

Deuteronomy means, "second law". The reason being that Deuteronomy serves as a retelling of the Law of God given to the people of Israel right before the death of Moses and entrances into the Promised land. Deuteronomy is regarded as a set of Moses' sermons to the people. Even the first paragraph describes Deuteronomy as specific words given to Moses for the people's instruction in their new life with God.

Deuteronomy 1:1–3 (ESV) These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness, in the Arabah opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab. 2 It is eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh-barnea. 3 In the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses spoke to the people of Israel according to all that the LORD had given him in commandment to them,

One commentator I read made the argument that Moses was to the Old Testament law what Paul is to the New Testament covenant. Which makes this important point: we need commentary on what God has done and what God has said. What would the New Testament be without Paul's letters to the churches of the first century? Equally the argument could be made for the ancient Israelites, what would the Ten Commandments be without the forthcoming time-specific guidelines unpacking what life according to those commands looks like? 

Since God started speaking, we have needed age-appropriate vessels through which we come to terms for our generations on this massively important question: How are we to live for God NOW and HERE? Yes, the Old Testament has confusing passages about slaves, genocide, the treatment of women and children. Yes, we can wonder why some strange commands about human discharges and goat's milk are regarded as inspired texts. But we must remember this one thing: WE were NOT there. We did not live at that time. But what we can do is read it in the context of its original hearers and then ask ourselves, in like-circumstances, what does God require of us today? 

Deuteronomy reminds us not only that we need commentary but also that God Himself desires us to have clarity concerning how to live before Him in righteousness. The Lord is not just concerned with getting us saved. He wants us living properly toward the world He created and those outside the faith. He desires this in every generation. Deuteronomy reminds us of the importance to consider well God's Word never stops addressing us personally and practically. The goal of our faith is not to "get out of here" and "get to heaven" as fast as possible. It is for the recreation of humanity. We are to become NEW people who are living witnesses to the goodness of God. 

For Israel, the 10 plagues and the Red Sea made them a new people. But the Law and Deuteronomy guide them as God's new people. The World needs conversions, yes, but it also needs a transformation of life - a new WAY to be human that fully relies on the God who gave it. 

It is no coincidence that Deuteronomy is Jesus' second favorite book to quote from in the Gospels (only the Psalms are quoted by Him more often). It is for this reason that we do well to familiarize ourselves with this incredible work. Jesus withstood the enemy's temptation in the wilderness solely from the commentary Moses provides here on the law. 

When we have good commentary on what God has spoken and done, we have the means to powerful living in faith. We find guidance for the gray areas that scripture may not specifically address. 

We embark on Deuteronomy realizing God does not merely want us believing He is there, but living as though He is completely committed to our lives.

Let's begin.