Deuteronomy (Letter 5, Larry Crabb’s 66 Love Letters)
Deuteronomy – Sacrifice don’t be selfish.He is the only true God. There is none other. There is no plan B.
You were locked in the prison of self-centeredness, just as Israel was in painful bondage to Egypt, where all they could think about was themselves – how can we get a better life, not how can we love God. Love has no meaning unless it remains alive when the one you claim to love seems distant and unresponsive.
DEUTERONOMY: The Law that Delivers – From Ray Stedman<-(click here for entire Bible summary)
The first division is a review God’s love and care of Israel in the wilderness.
The second division is a great resume of the Law. It is essential to understand that the landinto which these people were coming was inhabited by people who were utterly given overto lewd and obscene practices. It is a mighty revelation that God expected his people to live among people who were completely committed to the most vile practices. I think this is encouraging to us who are being asked to live in just such a society today. And yet God expected his people to keep themselves completely from these things and to be a holy people.
The third division of the book is a mighty revelation of the future, both in terms of blessings and of curses upon Israel.
The key to this book is in its name: Deuteronomy means “the second law.” The first giving of the Law was in the book of Exodus, where you have the Ten Commandments. Why was it necessary for the Holy Spirit to give the Law twice?
If you ask the man on the street what was the purpose of the Ten Commandments, he would probably say, “It is to keep us from doing wrong.” But this is not the reason the Law was given.
It was given to man to reveal the sinfulness of his acts. (for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God – Romans 3:23)
The first great theme is of man’s utter weakness and inability, even though he is cleansed, to do anything in himself to please God.
Accompanying this theme is that of God’s abiding presence as the strength of the believer.
Deuteronomy – David Jeremiah (Understanding the 66 Books of the Bible)
Key thought: Every new generation needs to learn the lessons of the Lord and develop a heritage of faith and obedience.
Key Verse: 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.”
Key Action: Share the truth of God with your children, with your grandchildren, and with the generation to come (Deuteronomy 6:7).