The law: It has honored us; may we honor it. Daniel Webster
What is the Book of Deuteronomy?The English title of the book, Deuteronomy, comes from the word deuteronomion used as the title of the book in the Septuagint, the second-century BC translation of the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek. This title, meaning "second law," arose from a misunderstanding of the term in 17:18, where it actually means "a copy of the law." Its Jewish name, Debarim (Heb., "words"), comes from the opening phrase: "These are the words. . . ."). This is actually a much more appropriate title for the book since the "words" of Moses and God are a central feature of the book. This book is the fifth and final book of the Pentateuch (Gk: "five books," i.e., Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), or the Torah (Heb: "instruction") as it is known in Jewish tradition. Written shortly before the death of Moses, by Moses, (1150 B.C.) this 2nd law is an overview of earlier Laws from God, handed down to Moses. Deuteronomy tends to be more gentler with it’s style and less threatening then the Book of Leviticus where it seems that the Lord is only an angry, wrathful God. While the laws have not changed, Deuteronomy tends to show the reader God’s grace. Like a parent, here the Lord tells the reader that His Laws are meant to be obeyed and then He explains the consequences of obedience, versus disobedience. The Egyptian leadership was transferring from Ramses II to his son, Merenptah and he ruled from the late 13th to early 12th century BCE. Now what's most interesting is that there was found an inscription from his reign which is today called the "Israel Stele." On that stele is a record of Merenptah's campaigning in the area of Canaan, the Sinai/Israel area. And it's the first extra-Biblical mention of "Israel" anywhere in human history. What does the stele say? "Israel is a widow. Her seed is no more."i So, as the Israelites began to look to settle in the Promised Land, Moses had some final words to pass along to them. i http://www.aish.com/literacy/jewishhistory/Crash_Course_in_Jewish_History_Part_9_Moses.asp Deuteronomy- Everything that you wanted to know about the Law but were afraid to ask! Introduction - Christian Victory ©2010 |