When I was a student in Dr. Miller’s Old Testament Survey class back in 1999, we covered the entire Old Testament in one quarter. Our class met five days a week, and usually covered a book per day! We were required to read each book as we covered it (which was a lot on top of the rest of our college course load), but were given a couple of “skips” that we could take if we didn’t have time to read a particular book. I chose to use a skip on Deuteronomy, because I was so buried with other classes. (and come on, how much of the law can you read in one week?)

I got to class the next day and Dr. Miller opened with, “I hope that you read Deuteronomy last night, because this book really encompasses God’s heartbeat.” Rats. Needless to say, I went back and read it. :)

I think many people probably look at Deuteronomy the way that I did – yet another rehashing of weird laws that don’t apply to us. Let’s skip over to Joshua – at least we’re back to an exciting story line! This is a huge symptom of not really understanding the Old Testament. Deuteronomy is a cornerstone book in the Old Testament. It is the most concise recording of the law, their complete “constitution.” Almost anytime the phrase “Book of the Law” is used anywhere in the Scriptures it’s referring to Deuteronomy.

Another factor which should motivate us to read and understand this book is the great importance Jesus himself placed upon it. Most people who have been in the church for a while know that when Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan, He responded to each temptation with Scripture. What you may not realize, however, is that each and every Scripture He quoted was from the book of Deuteronomy!

Deuteronomy 8:3
“So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.”

Deuteronomy 6:16 (NLT)
“Do not test the Lord your God as you did when you complained at Massah.”

Deuteronomy 6:13
“You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.”

Later on, Jesus is approached by his enemies and put to a different kind of test – a trick question crafted by the Jewish leadership seeking to find a weakness. He was asked, “Master, what is the greatest commandment?” And yet again, Jesus replied straight out of Deuteronomy.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”

Every book is in the Bible for a reason. There are no “mistakes” or unnecessary repeats. I’m going to keep this post short today, but do want to challenge you: if we truly believe that our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever; if we truly want to think the way Jesus thinks and act the way He acts (still have one of those “WWJD” bracelets around somewhere?); if we want to understand the whole counsel of God, we must, MUST take a serious look at the Old Testament. If the gospels were all we needed, why didn’t God start there? Deuteronomy is an incredible book… open up your Bible and ask the Lord to show Himself to you!

Oh, that they had such a heart in them
that they would fear Me
and always keep all My commandments,
that it might be well with them
and with their children forever!
Deuteronomy 5:29