Concluding Thoughts on Deuteronomy

"The four preceding books might be compared to the four Gospels; Deuteronomy represents the whole, and may be styled a Diatessaron, as it recalls to our mind the great Creator of all things, who was about to fulfill the promises which he had made to the Patriarchs."  So says the introduction to Deuteronomy in my Bible.  And it's a wise observation, for Deuteronomy truly is a blending of all four of the previous books of the Pentateuch.  The people saved from Egypt in Exodus have grown old or passed on to the next life.  In Deuteronomy, Moses is speaking to the next generation, the generation that will carry the torch into the Promised Land.  And so immediately in Deuteronomy we sense a different tone, which I wrote about in my post on Deuteronomy 1, way back on April 7th, 2011.  That tone is one of a loving father (or even grandfather, you could say).  He is writing with sentiment, with emotion welling up in his heart for his people, for the gift they are about to receive, and also in sadness for the transgressions they have committed, for the transgressions Moses himself has committed which disallows him from entering into the Promised Land.  He is speaking to his little children, and this is especially evident in the beginning of Deuteronomy and at the end.  In the middle we are reminded of those warnings and punishments laid out in Leviticus and Numbers.  All in all, though, we are not given much new information.  The first four books lay it all out pretty clearly: the history and the law.  But Deuteronomy acts more like an underline or a highlight.  It is a re-emphasis.  The Law is repeated because it is the most important thing the Israelites are taking with them into the Promised Land.

And though there are harsh words found throughout Deuteronomy, it is the soft and merciful blessings and encouragements that stick out the most.  God reminds His people of due punishments that await them should they fail to comply with the Law, and there are plenty of horrible things described.  But the tone overall is so loving and gentle in Deuteronomy that one cannot help but feel hopeful and inspired at the end of it.  God reminds us, through Moses, that He will never abandon us.  That the strength we need will be there for us, if we ask for it and seek it.  Moses, before he dies, leaves us with a beautiful song and a beautiful blessing.  And his death fills the pages of the Word with peace and tranquility.  The Pentateuch has ended, the Law is official, the Land is now theirs, and now the only thing left to do is step foot in it.  Joshua now steps into the narrative to help lead the people in that next step.  The Book of Josue is next.  Moses has put down his pen.  The next inspired writer has picked it up.  And on we go.