Deuteronomy

Moses’ farewell speeches on the edge of the promised land. He retells Israel’s story, repeats God’s law for a new generation, and urges them to love the Lord with all their heart and to choose life. It ends with the death of Moses.

Author

Traditionally Moses

Written

Traditionally about 1400 BC

Chapters

1. 1Deuteronomy 1On the edge of the promised land, Moses begins his farewell speeches by retelling Israel’s journey from Sinai and their refusal to enter the land.
2. 2Deuteronomy 2Moses recalls the wilderness years and the victories over Sihon, king of Heshbon.
3. 3Deuteronomy 3Moses recalls the defeat of Og and the land given east of the Jordan. God does not allow Moses to cross over, but tells him to encourage Joshua.
4. 4Deuteronomy 4Moses urges Israel to obey God’s law, not to make idols, and to remember that no other nation has a God so near.
5. 5Deuteronomy 5Moses repeats the Ten Commandments and reminds the people how they asked him to speak with God for them.
6. 6Deuteronomy 6The Shema: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart.” Teach these words to your children.
7. 7Deuteronomy 7Israel is chosen not because they were great, but because God loved them. They must not intermarry with the nations or follow their gods.
8. 8Deuteronomy 8Remember how God humbled and fed you in the wilderness: people do not live on bread alone. Don’t forget God when you prosper.
9. 9Deuteronomy 9Israel will not win the land because of their righteousness. Moses recalls the golden calf and his prayer for the people.
10. 10Deuteronomy 10God rewrites the Ten Commandments. What does the Lord require? To fear him, walk in his ways, love him, and love the foreigner.
11. 11Deuteronomy 11Love God and keep his commands. Obedience brings blessing and disobedience a curse, and his words are to be on your heart.
12. 12Deuteronomy 12Worship God only in the place he chooses, and destroy the Canaanite places of idol worship.
13. 13Deuteronomy 13Do not follow prophets or anyone else who leads you to other gods, even with signs and wonders.
14. 14Deuteronomy 14Clean and unclean foods, and the tithe that supports Levites, foreigners, orphans and widows.
15. 15Deuteronomy 15Debts are cancelled every seven years, and Hebrew slaves are freed generously. Be openhanded toward the poor.
16. 16Deuteronomy 16The feasts of Passover, Weeks and Tabernacles. Appoint judges who pursue justice.
17. 17Deuteronomy 17Laws for courts and future kings. A king must not multiply wealth or wives, and must read God’s law daily.
18. 18Deuteronomy 18Provision for priests and Levites. God will raise up a prophet like Moses, and his people must listen to him.
19. 19Deuteronomy 19Cities of refuge, boundary stones, and the need for two or three witnesses.
20. 20Deuteronomy 20Laws for war, including who may go home and how to treat cities and trees.
21. 21Deuteronomy 21Laws about unsolved murders, captive wives, inheritance rights and a rebellious son.
22. 22Deuteronomy 22Various laws about lost property, neighbours, animals, and sexual purity.
23. 23Deuteronomy 23Rules for who may enter the assembly, keeping the camp clean, and fairness toward escaped slaves and the poor.
24. 24Deuteronomy 24Laws on divorce, loans, and justice for the vulnerable. Leave some harvest for the foreigner, orphan and widow.
25. 25Deuteronomy 25Laws on fair punishment, honest weights, and caring for a dead brother’s widow.
26. 26Deuteronomy 26Offering firstfruits with a confession of Israel’s story: “My father was a wandering Aramean.” Israel is God’s treasured possession.
27. 27Deuteronomy 27When Israel enters the land, they are to write the law on stones and pronounce blessings and curses.
28. 28Deuteronomy 28The blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience, ending in exile.
29. 29Deuteronomy 29Moses renews the covenant. The secret things belong to God, but what he has revealed belongs to us.
30. 30Deuteronomy 30If Israel returns to God even from exile, he will restore them and circumcise their hearts. “I have set before you life and death. Choose life.”
31. 31Deuteronomy 31Moses commissions Joshua and tells him to be strong and courageous. The law is to be read every seven years. God warns that Israel will turn away.
32. 32Deuteronomy 32The Song of Moses recounts God’s faithfulness and Israel’s unfaithfulness. God allows Moses to see the land from Mount Nebo.
33. 33Deuteronomy 33Moses blesses the tribes of Israel before his death. “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”
34. 34Deuteronomy 34Moses views the promised land from the mountain and dies there. No prophet has arisen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.