UNROLL
Evening on the plains of Moab: old white-haired Moses, seen from behind on a low rise with his staff and one hand lifted, speaks to a vast assembly of Israel on the plain below; beyond their tents, the green line of the Jordan and the hills of Canaan in blue haze under a calm, warm sky.

The Book of

Deuteronomy Intro

Moses’ last words to a new generation: remember, love, obey, and choose life.

Before chapter 1≈ 2 min34 chapters

Images are artistic interpretations.

In 30 seconds

Forty years after Egypt, Israel waits at the Jordan.

Moses, 120 years old, speaks to them one last time.

Remember what God has done.

Love Him with all your heart, and keep His word.

Choose life. Then cross over without me.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

Who wrote it

Moses

His farewell sermons, on the edge of the land

  • Moses spoke these words to all Israel east of the Jordan.Deuteronomy 1:1
  • In the fortieth year after the exodus, in the land of Moab.Deuteronomy 1:3–5
  • Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests.Deuteronomy 31:9
  • The account of his death was added later, by tradition by Joshua.Jewish tradition

How it’s built

Three sermons and a farewell

Remember theway1–4 · from Horeb toMoabLove the LORD5–11 · the heart ofthe covenantLaws for theland12–26 · worship,justice, neighborBlessing andcurse27–30 · choose lifeMoses’ farewell31–34 · a song, ablessing, a death

Whiteboard

Moses looks back, calls for love, sets out the laws, lays out two ways, and says goodbye.

Reading it well

God rescued Israel first, then gave these laws.

They were Israel’s laws for life in the land; Christ fulfills them.

Their call to love God and neighbor still stands.

Its hard parts are told honestly: read them asking what they show of God.

Where it happens

Mount SinaiPlains of MoabMount Nebo (Pisgah)GoshenSeir (Edom)CanaanKadesh

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

On the plains of Moab

Forty years after leaving Egypt, Israel camps on the plains of Moab, across the Jordan from Jericho. Moses will see the land from Mount Nebo. Sinai’s site is uncertain; the dashed line is the journey in brief.

Big themes

Four threads to follow

Meet the cast

Five people to know

Watch for

you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Deuteronomy 6:4–5

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Question

Quick question

Jesus knew this book well, and used it when it mattered most.

When the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, which book did Jesus answer from each time?

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