Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Book of Deuteronomy

Having done a few topical studies, I am once again returning to blogging a specific book of the Bible, the Book of Deuteronomy. When I first told my wife this, her response was, "Oh, how boring." To be sure, some parts of Deuteronomy, especially when it gets down to the laws and sacrifices, can be a bit boring. However, over the years, Deuteronomy has been one of my favorite books of the Old Testament. In Deuteronomy we see the heart of Moses for the people of Israel. Moses knew that his time on Earth was short. He was about to ascend up into the mountain, view the promise land, and die there. In Deuteronomy we hear Moses heart, his love and compassion for the people, and his earnest desire that they choose daily to walk with the Lord. To this end, Moses takes his last opportunity to recount to Israel their history, God's working in their midst, and God's laws and commandments that they might obey them. In the Hebrew, Deuteronomy means "Second Law", for in it Moses repeats God's law to the people as a way of reminder to them.

As we study the Book of Deuteronomy, I will be focusing on not only want it says in the context of the history of the people of Israel, but also what it has to say to us. I will be looking at how the message of Deuteronomy is relevant to us as individuals, as a Christian church, and as a nation. Deuteronomy not only has a lot to say to us spiritually, but it can also serve as a biblical foundation for civil government. While, for some, this topic of civil government may not be of particular interest, we live in a time when political freedom is spreading rapidly throughout the world and it is critical that, as these newly freed societies look to form new governmental structures, they have a sound biblical foundation on which to build.

So stay tuned and hang on!

David Robison

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