Deuteronomy: Grace, Law, and the Gospel Connection
Summary
The journey through the Bible reveals the gospel in every book, and Deuteronomy is no exception. Deuteronomy, meaning "second law," is a series of sermons by Moses, recapitulating the law of God as the Israelites stand on the brink of entering the Promised Land. This book is structured like a Hittite suzerainty treaty, which was a common form of covenant in the ancient Near East. The treaty begins with a preamble, followed by a historical prologue, stipulations (the law), blessings and curses, and finally, oaths. This structure emphasizes that the law was not a means of salvation but a way to maintain a loving relationship with God. The Israelites were already delivered by God, and their obedience was meant to reflect their relationship with Him and serve as a witness to the nations.
Deuteronomy points to the gospel by illustrating that salvation is by grace. God chose Israel not because of their greatness or power but simply because He loved them. This love is a reflection of grace, not merit. The book also foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate lawgiver, who writes the law on our hearts. Unlike Moses, who could only deliver the law externally, Jesus transforms us internally, enabling us to live out the law through His strength. Jesus took upon Himself the curses of the covenant, allowing us to receive the blessings. His life and death fulfill the law, providing us with the resources to live in obedience and witness to the world.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Purpose of the Law: The law in Deuteronomy is not a means to earn salvation but a guide to maintain a loving relationship with God. It serves as a witness to the nations, showing the world the glory of God through the lives of His people. Obedience to the law is an expression of love and gratitude, not a prerequisite for salvation. [05:10]
2. Salvation by Grace: God's love for Israel was not based on their merits but on His sovereign choice. This reflects the nature of grace, where God's love is given freely, not earned. Understanding this grace is crucial for comprehending the gospel, as it underscores that our salvation is a gift, not a reward for good works. [07:35]
3. Jesus as the Ultimate Lawgiver: While Moses delivered the law on tablets of stone, Jesus writes it on our hearts. He empowers us to live out the law by transforming us from within. This internal change is essential for true obedience and reflects the new covenant established through Christ. [09:53]
4. The Role of Jesus in the Covenant: Jesus took the curses of the covenant upon Himself, allowing us to receive the blessings. His perfect obedience and sacrificial death fulfill the requirements of the law, providing us with the assurance of salvation and the ability to live in accordance with God's will. [06:47]
5. Living Out the Law Through Christ: True obedience to the law is only possible through the resources provided by Jesus. His love and grace enable us to fulfill the commandments, such as honoring our parents, forgiving others, and remaining faithful, by transforming our hearts and desires. [10:07]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:53] - Discovering the Gospel in Every Book
[01:10] - Understanding Deuteronomy
[01:45] - Moses' Sermons and the Law
[02:18] - The Hittite Suzerainty Treaty
[03:09] - Structure of Deuteronomy
[03:41] - Purpose of the Law
[04:24] - Blessings and Curses
[05:10] - Relationship with God
[06:33] - Jesus and the Covenant
[07:35] - Salvation by Grace
[08:58] - Jesus as the Ultimate Lawgiver
[09:13] - Moses' Song and Human Failure
[10:07] - Living the Law Through Christ
[11:04] - Jesus as the True Moses
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Discovering the Gospel in Deuteronomy
#### Bible Reading
1. Deuteronomy 7:7-8 - "The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt."
2. Galatians 3:13-14 - "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.' He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit."
#### Observation Questions
1. What is the significance of the structure of Deuteronomy being similar to a Hittite suzerainty treaty? How does this structure help us understand the purpose of the law? [02:18]
2. According to the sermon, what are the blessings and curses mentioned in Deuteronomy, and how do they relate to the covenant between God and Israel? [04:12]
3. How does Deuteronomy 7:7-8 illustrate the concept of salvation by grace as discussed in the sermon? [07:35]
4. What role does Jesus play in fulfilling the law and the covenant, as explained in the sermon? [06:47]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of the law as a guide for maintaining a loving relationship with God challenge or affirm your understanding of obedience and salvation? [05:10]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus transforms the law from an external set of rules to an internal guide written on our hearts? [09:53]
3. How does the sermon explain the relationship between Jesus taking on the curses of the covenant and the blessings we receive? What does this mean for our understanding of grace? [06:47]
4. How does the sermon’s explanation of God’s love for Israel as an act of grace rather than merit impact your view of God’s love for you personally? [07:35]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you viewed obedience to God’s law as a means to earn His favor. How can you shift your perspective to see it as a response to His love and grace? [05:10]
2. Consider the ways in which Jesus has transformed your heart. What specific changes have you noticed in your desires and actions as a result of His influence? [09:53]
3. How can you actively live out the blessings of the covenant in your daily life, knowing that Jesus has taken on the curses for you? [06:47]
4. In what areas of your life do you struggle to accept God’s love as a gift of grace rather than something to be earned? How can you remind yourself of His unconditional love? [07:35]
5. Identify one commandment that you find challenging to follow. How can you rely on Jesus’ strength and resources to help you live in obedience to that commandment? [10:07]
6. How can you be a witness to the nations by living out the law through Christ in your community? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate God’s glory to others? [05:34]
7. Think of a relationship in your life where you need to extend grace. How can you apply the understanding of God’s grace towards Israel to improve that relationship? [08:14]
Devotional
Day 1: The Law as a Guide to Love
The law in Deuteronomy serves as a guide to maintain a loving relationship with God, not as a means to earn salvation. It is structured like a Hittite suzerainty treaty, emphasizing that the Israelites were already delivered by God. Their obedience was meant to reflect their relationship with Him and serve as a witness to the nations. The law is an expression of love and gratitude, showing the world the glory of God through the lives of His people. Obedience to the law is not a prerequisite for salvation but a response to God's grace and love. [05:10]
Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (ESV): "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?"
Reflection: In what ways can you express your love and gratitude to God through your daily actions today?
Day 2: Grace as the Foundation of Salvation
Salvation is by grace, as illustrated in Deuteronomy. God chose Israel not because of their greatness or power but simply because He loved them. This love is a reflection of grace, not merit. Understanding this grace is crucial for comprehending the gospel, as it underscores that our salvation is a gift, not a reward for good works. God's sovereign choice and love for Israel highlight the nature of grace, where His love is given freely and not earned. [07:35]
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Reflection: How can you remind yourself today that your worth is not based on your achievements but on God's grace?
Day 3: Jesus, the Lawgiver of the Heart
While Moses delivered the law on tablets of stone, Jesus writes it on our hearts. He empowers us to live out the law by transforming us from within. This internal change is essential for true obedience and reflects the new covenant established through Christ. Jesus, as the ultimate lawgiver, enables us to live out the law through His strength, transforming our hearts and desires to align with God's will. [09:53]
Jeremiah 31:33 (ESV): "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people."
Reflection: What areas of your life need transformation from within, and how can you invite Jesus to write His law on your heart today?
Day 4: Jesus' Role in the Covenant
Jesus took the curses of the covenant upon Himself, allowing us to receive the blessings. His perfect obedience and sacrificial death fulfill the requirements of the law, providing us with the assurance of salvation and the ability to live in accordance with God's will. Through Jesus, we are freed from the curses and empowered to live a life that reflects God's love and grace to the world. [06:47]
Galatians 3:13-14 (ESV): "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree'—so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith."
Reflection: How can you live in the freedom and blessings that Jesus has secured for you today?
Day 5: Living the Law Through Christ
True obedience to the law is only possible through the resources provided by Jesus. His love and grace enable us to fulfill the commandments, such as honoring our parents, forgiving others, and remaining faithful, by transforming our hearts and desires. Living out the law through Christ means relying on His strength and grace to guide our actions and decisions, reflecting His love to those around us. [10:07]
Philippians 2:13 (ESV): "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
Reflection: What is one specific commandment you struggle with, and how can you rely on Jesus' strength to help you live it out today?
Quotes
The law of God is there in order to have a love relationship with God and also as a way of being a witness to the Nations not as a form of salvation now of course immediately you begin to see how does that fit in with the rest of the Bible now what that means of course is just pointing to the fact that in the end Jesus Christ saves Us by giving us the blessings of the Covenant by taking the curses of the Covenant. [00:06:24]
Jesus Christ became a curse for us so that we could receive the blessings that were promised uh at the end of Jesus life he obeyed the the Covenant perfectly he should have gotten blessings instead he got the curse so at the end of our Lives we get the blessings instead of the curse he got our curse so that we get his blessings and if you don't understand Deuteronomy you do not understand how Jesus Christ life and death actually brings about our Salvation. [00:06:47]
God says to the children of Israel I didn't love you because you were the greatest of Nations you were actually a small nation I didn't love you because you were the richest of Nations you're actually a pretty poor Nation I didn't love you because you're a powerful Nation you're actually pretty weak but I loved you um because I set my my love on you and that's the reason I love you. [00:07:35]
Do you realize what God is saying he's saying let me tell you the reason I love you I love you just because I love you I don't love you because you're better or or because you've done this or you've done that I just love you because I love you see that's Grace I remember Ed Clowny saying then he says men the next time your wife says honey do you love me don't say well you know you're a great tennis partner uh don't say well you know you're actually pretty good-look or don't say well you know it was great to be able to put our two incomes together. [00:07:55]
Jesus Christ is the ultimate lawgiver Moses of course gave us the law and he wrote it well you know on tablets Jesus Christ is the ultimate lawgiver because he writes it on the tablets of your heart it's very clear by the end of the book by the way there's a at the end of the book of of Deuteronomy uh Moses gives them a song to sing in which the song says you know we failed. [00:08:58]
Moses was a great man you know the meekest man on the face of the Earth he was a great man many ways but he wasn't he was an insufficient lawgiver we need a lawgiver who can write it on the tablets of our hearts who can change us and Jesus Christ is the one who did that and actually you're never going to actually you know commandment number you know you know if you go to the fourth Commandment you're never really going to get Sabbath rest unless you get the deeper rest that Jesus Christ brings you in the gospel. [00:09:53]
You're never going to really you know number five honor your parents unless you get the fatherly love that really really comforts you in Jesus Christ you're never going to really be able to get over hatred and bitterness and really forgive unless you get the forgiveness that Jesus Christ gives us you're never really going to be true to your spouse unless Jesus is your ultimate spouse and you get his spousal love and then that'll keep you from ever being tempted to look for love anywhere else. [00:10:07]
The reason you cannot steal is because Jesus Christ has made you wealthy in himself so that now you're you're not you're not greedy for for money in fact you can give it away uh Jesus Christ is the ultimate lawgiver who not only writes it on our hearts but actually gives us the resources we need to satisfy the law of God and so Jesus Christ is the true Moses and that's the way we can be absolutely sure that when we embrace the law of God that we are going to be able to honor God Be A Witness to the Nations and know him well. [00:11:04]
The purpose of the law was not to be saved but to have a good relationship with God the reason we are obeying the law of God is to have a love relationship with him not in order to be saved not in order to go to heaven the relationship had already been established by God the Deliverance had already happened and the other reason and Deuteronomy 4 is very clear the other reason we obey the law of God is to be a witness to the the Nations. [00:05:10]
The reason that that a Believer should be obeying the law of God is so that the world will see what a glorious God we have so when when the uh the the world sees uh Believers loving one another and doing all the things that the law of God says you know not killing not stealing not committing adultery you know all that they will look and say oh look at what a great God these this people have. [00:05:35]
All religion sees the law of God as being basically a way of Salvation a way you get God to bless you a way to get God to just do good things for you but Deuteronomy is an extraordinarily sophisticated way of saying no the law of God is there in order to have a love relationship with God and also as a way of being a witness to the Nations not as a form of salvation. [00:06:00]
At the end of moses' life he says you know what here's what the way God wants you to live here's how you can be a witness to the Nations here how here's how you can have a great relationship with God and you are going to fail you are absolutely going to fail uh so boy that's pretty pessimistic well yes and no because Deuteronomy points forward to the fact that Moses was a great man. [00:09:13]
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