Deuteronomy as Covenant

Some may wonder about the book of Deuteronomy’s placement in the canon of Scripture, as the bulk of the material is a recap of things that occurred in Exodus-Numbers. But research is continuing to shed more light on the purpose of this fifth book of the Pentateuch. I believe there are two very important ways to understand the importance of this book. First, Deuteronomy was written to the younger generation of Israel that was allowed to enter the Promised Land; Moses’ words are what they needed to remember before they crossed the Jordan. Second, Deuteronomy is covenant literature.

We have to understand the Ancient Near Eastern concept of the suzerain (“upper-sovereign”), or the person who had authority over another people group (called vassals). The suzerain would enter into a covenant with the vassal state by having a representative agree to the terms of the covenant, and then explain those terms to the people. Yahweh was establishing Himself as the suzerain, and Moses was the vassal representative, receiving the Ten Commandments at Mt. Sinai, and relaying the information to the people. Israel, the vassal state, agreed to enter into the covenant by responding, “All that Yahweh says, we will do (Exodus 24:3)!”

As several ancient Hittite treaties have been unearthed, Bible scholars have noticed that Deuteronomy exactly matches much of the language as well the outline of these treaties. They would begin with a preamble, or an introduction to the main text; Deuteronomy 1:1-5 certainly does that. Next is the historical prologue, which recounts the past relationship between the parties; Deuteronomy 1:6-4:49 recounts God’s dealings with Israel from Egypt to the edge of the Promised Land. The third element of the treaty is the general and specific stipulations, which Deuteronomy contains in 5:1-11:32 and 12:1-26:19. Next are the blessings and curses for obedience or lack thereof, which are found in 27:1-28:68; finally, there are the witnesses who hear and agree to the terms, which Israel does in chapters 30-32.

Deuteronomy, which means “second law,” is not a new set of laws, but a reiteration of the Mosaic Covenant. Before the new generation of Hebrews could enter the Promised Land and posses it, God required them to agree to His terms, just as their parents had done forty years earlier. Every new generation must choose to follow God, for we cannot trust in the relationship between God and our parents; it must be something to which we agree. Let us understand that Jesus is Lord, our suzerain, who we should trust and live our lives for. With Israel at Mt. Sinai let us say, “All that Yahweh says, we will do!”