Best Resources on Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy concludes the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, with further instruction from Moses, the man who led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and received God’s law (see Exodus). In Deuteronomy, Moses reviews teachings and events from the time of the exodus and the people’s wilderness wanderings. He exhorts the Israelites to love their God Yahweh and obey His commandments. Deuteronomy ends with the final events of Moses’ life, including the official appointment of his successor Joshua—the man who formerly encouraged the Israelites to faithfully conquer the promised land despite terrible foes (Num 13–14). Deuteronomy records Moses telling the Israelites how to live in the land long ago promised to their forefather Abraham (Gen 12:1–3)—a land they must still conquer.
—Faithlife Study Bible, Lexham Press
Everything You Need to Study & Teach Deutoronomy
Expository Preaching Kits are curated resources all focused on helping you teach a single book of the Bible—keeping you prepared without weighing you down.
Best Commentaries on Deuteronomy
Peter C. Craigie, New International Commentary on the Old Testament (NICOT), Eerdmans, 1976, 424 pp.
Interpreting Deuteronomy from a conservative perspective, Peter C. Craigie highlights the centrality of the book’s theme of covenant commitment while also taking great care to demonstrate how Deuteronomy is a book with considerable contemporary relevance. He uses recent Old Testament research to effectively bridge the gap of more than 3,000 years that separates the modern reader from the events described in Deuteronomy, thus clarifying the primary message of the text for the modern reader. In its simplest phrasing, that message is “commit yourself to God wholeheartedly.” Deuteronomy, according to Craigie, provides a paradigm for the kingdom of God in the modern world.
- Level: Intermediate
- Type: Expository
Christopher J. H. Wright, Understanding the Bible (UtB), Baker, 2012, 368 pp.
Deuteronomy records Moses’ parting words to Israel’s new generation on the brink of entering the promised land. He recounts their history, sets before them God’s covenant and laws, and instructs them on being God’s people in the world. The author passionately explains this important theological book with a particular eye toward implications for faithful life and witness in our own day.
- Level: Basic
- Type: Devotional
J. Gordon McConville, Apollos Old Testament Commentary (AOTC), InterVarsity Press, 2002, 544 pp.
In this outstanding commentary J. Gordon McConville offers a theological interpretation of the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy in the context of the biblical canon. He gives due attention to historical issues where these bear on what can be known about the settings in which the text emerged. His dominant method is one that approaches Deuteronomy as a finished work.
- Level: Intermediate
- Type: Expository
Eugene H. Merrill, New American Commentary (NAC), B&H, 1994, 455 pp.
The addresses of Moses in the book of Deuteronomy declare that the awesome God of creation had become the incomparable God and King of Israel. E. H. Merrill herein describes and explains the "defining moment" in Israel's history, when Moses prepared the new nation for victories and the blessings of a new life in the promised land. This contemporary work emphasizes the grace and faithfulness of the great God who embraced the people of Israel by covenant, but it also stresses God's call for his people to devote their hearts and lives in loving loyalty to him. Deuteronomy calls for God's people to model God's kingdom on Earth and is thus foundational to the faith.
- Level: Intermediate
- Type: Expository
John A. Thompson, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (TOTC), InterVarsity Press, 1974, 349 pp.
The book of Deuteronomy records these speeches. For J. A. Thompson, we cannot fail to be challenged by the persistent demands throughout the book that we should acknowledge the complete and sole sovereignty of God in our lives. Nor can we fail to be touched by the noble concept of God that underlies the whole book.
- Level: Basic
- Type: Devotional
Best Books on Deuteronomy
Now Choose Life: Theology and Ethics in Deuteronomy (New Studies in Biblical Theology)
J. Gary Millar explores Deuteronomy’s ethical teaching in the light of its most important theological themes: covenant, journey, law, the nations, and human nature—showing the major contribution that Deuteronomy makes to our understanding of the Bible as a whole. His perceptive analysis reveals the power with which Deuteronomy calls God’s covenant people, from ancient Israelites to modern-day Christians, to hear God’s voice and do his will. He offers a significant study of Deuteronomy that recovers this Scripture’s vibrant message for the contemporary Christian community.
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Law and Theology in Deuteronomy
This book focuses on the relation between the law of the Old Testament and the nature of God and of grace. Asserting that the laws are a result of theology and not the other way around, McConville acknowledges Deuteronomy as a book of history and documentation of law, but also believes it gives great insight into God's character. He begins his study with an introduction to the general theology of Deuteronomy.
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How I Love Your Torah, O Lord!: Studies in the Book of Deuteronomy
Like the book of Romans in the New Testament, the book of Deuteronomy provides the Old Testament’s most systematic and sustained presentation of theology. And like the Gospel of John, it represents mature theological reflection on God’s great acts of salvation—in this case associated with the exodus of Israel.
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Treaty of the Great King: The Covenant Structure of Deuteronomy: Studies and Commentary
Explore foundational studies in Meredith Kline’s career as a covenant theologian. Treaty of the Great King compiles detailed analysis and strong evidence in support of interpreting Deuteronomy as a legal document between Israel and YHWH that was patterned after ancient Near Eastern treaties, with Moses as its primary compiler. Kline traces the relevance of the recovery of the treaty form for our understanding of the nature of the Decalogue and Deuteronomy, with particular reference to Old Testament higher criticism.
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Deuteronomy: Issues and Interpretation
This is a major study on the book of Deuteronomy by an acclaimed expert in the field. Paying particular attention to the legal passages in Deuteronomy, Professor Rofé seeks to clarify the contents and unity of each section, its literary history, and the origin of the single laws and their relation to other kindred laws in other documents of the Pentateuch.
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Mobile Ed: OT312 Book Study: Deuteronomy (20 hour course)
The book of Deuteronomy is one of the most significant books in the Bible. Its content helped shape the theology of both the Old and New Testaments. In Book Study: Deuteronomy, distinguished Old Testament scholar Dr. Daniel Block provides an in-depth look at look at this important book. Dr. Block walks through the text of what he calls “the Gospel according to Moses.” You’ll gain a better understanding of Deuteronomy and a fresh appreciation of how the book reveals the brilliance of God’s grace.
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Mobile Ed: OT391 The Shema (3 hour course)
Explore the depths of the Shema (Deut 6:4–9) and learn why this text is sacred not only to Jews but to Christians as well. Discover why Jesus quoted the Shema when asked what the greatest commandment is. Gain insight into the covenantal, volitional, and emotional aspects of love and what it means to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” Dr. Mark Futato guides you through the text, shedding light on the Hebrew language and its various interpretations. He then identifies the Shema’s relevance today and how these commands can point us toward Jesus each and every day.
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Mobile Ed: OT285 Introducing Torah (8 hour course)
In Introducing Torah, Dr. Rebekah Josberger provides important insights into the first five books of the Old Testament. The course begins with a look at the historical context of the Torah and why it inspired love in the hearts of the psalmists. Designed to teach students how to read and appreciate this section of Scripture, the course will walk you through multiple passages of the Torah, with emphasis on the Sabbath, the Ten Commandments, and two difficult marriage/divorce laws in Deuteronomy. You will come away with a better understanding and appreciation of this important portion of the Bible.
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Mobile Ed: OT202 Introducing the Pentateuch (8 hour course)
In Introducing the Pentateuch Dr. David Baker provides a broad overview of the background, structure, content, themes, and literary styles of the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. He traces the continuous story line from creation to Israel’s arrival in the promised land with a bird’s-eye view, while exploring key stories, topics, and theological messages in greater detail along the way. Throughout the course, Dr. Baker draws out and discusses the implications of this portion of the Old Testament for the Christian’s life and ministry.
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Mobile Ed: BI205 Old Testament Exegesis: Understanding and Applying the Old Testament (15 hour course)
Embark on a journey of Old Testament Hebrew exegesis with Jason DeRouchie. The books of the Old Testament were the only Scriptures Jesus had. It was books like Genesis, Deuteronomy, Isaiah, and Psalms that shaped Jesus’ upbringing and that guided his life in ministry as the Jewish Messiah. It was these Scriptures that Jesus identified as God’s Word and he considered to be authoritative; it was these Scriptures he believed called people to know and believe in God and guarded them against doctrinal error and hell. This course will give you the tools you need to access meaning in the Old Testament, then apply it to your life. It will help you to grow in reading God’s living Word for depth and not just distance.
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