Deuteronomy contains the final words of Moses to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. In His, Moses reviews the law God gave to Israel and prepares them to live according to it in the new land. The theme of law is central in the book of Deuteronomy. Let’s explore what the law meant for ancient Israel and what we can learn from it today.
What is the Torah?
The Hebrew word “Torah” is often translated as “law” but it means instruction or teaching. The Torah contains laws but also includes stories and poetry. It was given to shape Israel into a holy community belonging to God. obeying the law expressed their covenant relationship with Him.
The Torah is wisdom literature that imparts discernment and righteousness. Through meditation on the law, the Israelites could gain deeper insight into living justly. The law goes beyond external obedience to forming virtuous character and right relationships. As Moses says in Deuteronomy 4:6-7:
“Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?”
Righteousness and Justice
Two important Hebrew words used in Deuteronomy are “tzedekah” meaning righteousness and “mishpat” meaning justice. Tzedekah refers to having right relationships while mishpat means taking action to uphold justice and help the vulnerable.
Moses calls on Israel to pursue both as they follow God’s law. Deuteronomy 16:20 says “Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Through living out the law, Israel was to become a model nation of wisdom, justice and righteousness.
The Law as Wisdom
The law imparted God’s wisdom to Israel. By meditation and reflection, they could discern its underlying principles and apply them justly.
For example, the tenth commandment says “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor” (Exodus 20:17). On the surface this prohibits envying others’ possessions. However, through meditation, one gains insight into how coveting relates to greed, discontentment and valuing people as property. The command addresses not just actions but internal attitudes and highlights the need for self-control.
Jesus modeled gaining deeper wisdom from God’s law. In the Sermon on the Mount, He expanded external commandments like “Do not murder” to address anger, insults and hatred in one’s heart.
The Role of Community
Since individuals can misinterpret the law, it must be understood and applied in community. Moses appointed leaders to help settle difficult cases justly (Deuteronomy 1:9-18). They relied on discernment cultivated through God’s law. Interpreting and living out the law happened best within a community guided by God’s Spirit, not in isolation.
The Heart Behind the Law
A key purpose of the law was to shape Israel’s community to reflect God’s ideals. More than a set of strict rules, the law aimed to instill wisdom, justice and right relationships. It called for wholehearted devotion to God and compassion for others. As Moses told Israel in Deuteronomy 10:12-13:
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?”
The law acted as a teacher and guardian, pointing ahead to Jesus. He fulfilled its purpose in calling people to live justly and love God and neighbor from the heart (Matthew 22:34-40). Through Him, we can experience the heart transformation and wisdom the law was meant to cultivate.
Frequently Asked Questions about Law in Deuteronomy
Here are some common questions about the theme of law in Deuteronomy:
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What is the difference between the words Torah and law?
Torah means instruction or teaching while law refers specifically to commands or prohibitions. Torah includes law but also contains narratives and poetry.
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What does it mean when the Bible calls the Torah wisdom literature?
This means the Torah imparts practical wisdom and discernment, not just external rules. Meditation on it forms character and virtue.
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How did righteousness and justice relate for ancient Israel?
Righteousness (tzedekah) involved having right relationships while justice (mishpat) meant taking action to uphold justice and help the vulnerable. Israel was to pursue both through obeying God’s law.
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What does it mean that the law acted as Israel’s teacher and guardian?
The law aimed to instill wisdom and shape Israel’s community to live justly and wholeheartedly devote themselves to God. It pointed ahead to Jesus who fulfilled its purpose and intent.
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Why was understanding and applying the law meant to be done in community?
Since individuals can misinterpret the law, interpreting it happened best in community guided by God’s Spirit, with leaders helping make just decisions.
The theme of law in Deuteronomy highlights the wisdom literature nature of Scripture. God’s law aims to form His people to live in right relationship with Him and others. Through Christ, we can experience transformation of heart and life that the law pointed toward. As we mediate on God’s word, may we gain deeper insight by the Spirit’s power into applying it justly and compassionately.
