The VALUEof Deuteronomy
From MOSES, who commanded Israel to read this law every 7 years at Remission of Debts
Deuteronomy 31:10-11
From JOSHUA, a Student of Moses and of God and the Leader of Israel
Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
From DAVID, A Man After God’s Own Heart
Psalm 19:7-13
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.12 Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.13 Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be blameless, And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 119:97-104
O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine.99 I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation.100 I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed Your precepts.101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word.102 I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, For You Yourself have taught me.103 How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.
Psalm 119:165
Those who love Your law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble.
A Story from “The Mishna”
(A collection or digest of Jewish traditions and explanations of Scripture, forming the text of the Talmud)
The king of Persia sent the prince of Judah the largest known diamond in existence at that time. It was worth millions! In return, the prince of Judah sent the king of Persia a copy of Eleh Hade-Barim (Deuteronomy).
At first, the king of Persia was offended, “What is THIS…a mere scroll in return for the priceless gift I gave you????
Shortly, he received a letter from the prince of Judah explaining his gift. “What you sent me requires to be protected, but I sent this book [of Deuteronomy] to protect you!”
From JOSIAH, a good king of Judah, during whose reign The Law was re-discovered in the house of the Lord after many “lost” years
2 Kings 22:13,19
[King Joshia said] Go, inquire of the Lord for me and the people and all Judah concerning the words of this book that has been found, for great is the wrath of the Lord that burns against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.”
19 [God said] because your [Josiah’s] heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I truly have heard you”
From Jesus, the Son of God who used truths of Deuteronomy to wage battle with Satan
Matthew 4:4
“It is written [Dt 8:3], ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ ”
Matthew 4:7
“On the other hand, it is written [Dt 6:16], ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.”
Matthew 4:10
“Go, Satan! For it is written [Dt 6:13; 10:20], ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ ”
From writers of the New Testament, who quoted Deuteronomy over 80 times (more than any other OT book)
DT5:16/ Eph 6:23
DT 6:4-5/ Mk12:29,30, MT 22:37, LU 10:27; Jam 2:19
DT 6:13/ Mt 4:10; Lu 4:8
DT 6:16/ Mt 4:7/Lu 4:12
DT 8:3/ Mt 4:4; Lu 4:4
DT 17:6/ Jn 8:17
DT 18:15/ Acts 7:37
DT 18:18/ Act 3:22,23
DT 19:15/ Jn5:31-37; 8:17; II Cor 13:1
DT21:23/ Gal3:10-13
DT 24:1/ Mt 19:1-12, Mt 5:31
DT 25:4/ I Co 9:9; 1 Tim 5:18; II Tim 2:6
DT 25:5-6/ Lu 20:28, Mt 22:24; Lu 20:28; Mk 12:19
DT 27:26/ Gal 3:10
DT 29:18/ Heb 12:15
DT 30:11-14/ Rom 10: 6-6
DT32:17/ 1 Cor 10:20
DT 32:21/ Rom 10:19
DT 32:35-36/ Rom 12:19; Heb 10:30
DT 32:43/ Rom 15:10
Today’s Question ---
Is Deuteronomy still VALUABLE for Me?
From God, His promise to those of the New Covenant (that’s all believers, Jew & Gentile)
Jeremiah 31:33
“I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Ezekiel 36:27
I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walkin My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.
From Paul, God’s messenger to the gentiles
Romans 15:4
For whatever was written in earlier times [OT] was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
1 Corinthians 10:11
Now these things happened to them [OT people] as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
From George Washington, who opened his Bible to Deuteronomy when he was inaugurated
Deuteronomy 28:1
“Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.