The Book of Deuteronomy is the fifth and final book of what’s called “The Law of Moses”, also known as the “Torah” or “Pentateuch.” The Book is called Deuteronomy because it means “Second law giving.” God was so fed up with the people of Israel’s lack of faith, that by the time they got to the Promised Land He turned them around and put them out in the wilderness for 40 years. No one who left Egypt would be able to see the Promised Land because of it (except for the 2 trusting spies, Joshua and Caleb). So now, the people are finally back and ready to possess the land. But before they do, Moses needs to remind them of God’s faithfulness throughout their history, He repeats to them the Law that God had given to them, and He encourages them to faithfully keep it. He’s the old grandpa-like leader, teaching the younger generations.

Today, we’re looking at Jesus (1400 years before He was born) as the one in Deuteronomy that’s directing Moses what to write and say. We already know that Jesus was at Creation, Genesis 1; John 1:1-5. We know that Jesus came to Moses in the burning bush, Exodus 3:1-4:17. We know that Jesus was the great “I Am” Exodus 3:14, John 8:58-59. He was also the one calling in the wilderness, John 1:23, and now He’s the one in whose name Moses spoke throughout Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy 1:3; 4:5, 4:14, 6:1. He’s always pointing His people to relationship with His Father. It’s no wonder Jesus quotes Deuteronomy more than any other Book, He was there.

What does this have to do with us? In the spirit of Deuteronomy, Jesus reminds us of God’s faithfulness throughout the history of our lives, the hope God makes clear to us in Scripture, and the love He makes available to us and others. He wants us to be active with our relationship with God and with our faith. Luke 10:27 summarizes it all when it says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.” May we all take this to heart.