DEUTERONOMY.

NAME:

The title of this fifth book of the Pentateuch written by Moses from a Greek term which signifies a second or repeated Law. The book contains the final word of Moses, delivered most probably during the last seven days of his life. This message of Moses was given to Israel in view of the impending entrance to their covenanted possession, a possession for which the nation had striven through forty years of wilderness wanderings. Although the Decalogue is repeated, and other distinct phases of the Mosaic legislation found in Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers are rearrested, these addresses of Moses consist of an application of the Law, with elucidations and additional instructions.

AUTHORSHIP:

Although modern criticisms maintain that Deuteronomy is of later origin than the previous four books, the unity of the Pentateuch is generally admitted. The fact is that Moses was its author is distinctly declared (31:19) and the NEW TESTAMENT expressly states that it is the work of Moses (Matt 19:7-8, Mark 10:2-9, Act 3:22, 7:37). The style is more emotional and oratorical than the other four books, and its tone is more spiritual and ethical; but this does not argue against the Mosaic authorship. These facts are due to the circumstances, occasion and purpose of the utterances recorded. The account of the death of Moses, of course, was added by another hand, but this doesn’t discredit the Mosaic authorship of the balance of the material.

OCCASION AND PURPOSE:

The crisis facing Israel in the occupation of idolatrous and corrupted Canaan was quite certainly the occasion of these addresses of Moses. Supreme emphasis upon the inflexible and exacting nature of GOD’S Law constituted the purpose. The key to the whole series of instruction is found in Chapter 28 to 30:9.

OUTLINE:

Moses’ farewell message is usually divided on the basis of three addresses, but, topically, seven divisions are better

1) Summary of Israel’s history in the wilderness (1:1-3:29)

2) A restatement of the Law with exhortations and warnings (4:1-11:32)

3) Sundry Laws and instructions with warnings and predictions (12:1-27:26)

4) Significant prophecies summarizing the history of Israel to the Second Advent of CHRIST Embracing the notable covenant (28:1-30:20)

5) Farewell counsels to Priests, Levites, and Joshua (31)

6) The song of Moses and the pronouncements of blessings on the Twelve Tribes (32-33)

7) Death of Moses (34)

Courtesy of:  Reverend-Azmat Tanzeem

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The Importance of Good Exegesis.

Below is a brief essay I wrote while studying Greek for exegetical purposes. I thought originally to write an article as a follow-up to my last post My Opinion Doesn’t Matter but then I was going through some of my documents and came across the subject document. The reason for the article is because many believe that the Bible is subject to the interpretation of individuals. The fact is it is not.

As such the following is presented as it was originally in seminary.

William James Carter, I

                                                                                                    NGRK 506

The Importance of Good Exegesis

     Recently this writer had opportunity to sit under a local pastor who chose not to study the Scripture but declared that he relied strictly on the Holy Spirit at the time of preaching. With this he never took notes and often used specific words out of context. One such word was “save” as used in Luke 8:51. The Scripture was used totally out of context thereby teaching the people the wrong idea which resulted in confusion.

This then is part of the importance of good exegesis. When good exegesis is not performed then what is taught can be damaging to the hearers. This is coupled with the fact that most do not read their Bibles regularly and study it even less. This then makes the preacher the ultimate authority of God’s Word. So, if  the preacher declares a thing to be true and it is not true not only does it create confusion in the minds of the unlearned but it also creates mistrust, divisiveness and possibly a falling away from the faith.

If these negative items are true then their opposites must be true as well. If the preacher takes time to properly exegete the Word rather than creating confusion he will create peace. In the absence of mistrust there must be trust.  Union eradicates the divisive spirit while those that may fall away, because of what ultimately can be construed as heretical, become stronger in the faith.

The above example of the lack of exegesis has resulted in weak membership. That is to say that none of the members have a clear understanding the Word of God therefore there is no reliance on it. Instead there is an expectation that the pastor will hear from God and give them whatever they need. Ultimately there has been the creation of a cult-like following of the pastor because no one is allowed to question what is being taught and if anyone does there is a severe penalty. With this there is tremendous damage done not only to those being “ministered” to but the impact goes beyond the immediate following to the families and friends of the parishioners. Unfortunately, the ultimate damage of this example has been that some have fallen from the faith.

But the pastor noted above appears to have a motive for his treatment of the presentation of the Gospel. While this writer is being careful to use good tact in this presentation there has to be acknowledgement of the fact that good exegesis prevents one from becoming arrogant concerning the things of God. This is to say that without dutiful exegesis one psychological problem could play out as arrogance.

There are many that feel the need to control others and some in ecclesiastical authority use the Scripture and pulpit to bolster their own sense of significance. When this happens there is no need to do proper study of Scripture instead the person presumes that he has been preaching so long that there is nothing he does not know.

This attitude was witnessed by this writer in that the pastor all but dared anyone to call into question his ability to “teach” and “preach”. His arrogance did not allow him to listen if someone may have had a suggestion or question that seemed contrary to what he taught. In fact, the psychological need for him to control lent him to public open rebuke of anyone that merely sought clearer understanding of what was taught.

So then, proper exegesis of the Word creates a right mind in the minister. He realizes that he has no need to control the people of God but that they are in need of good leadership – and that leadership can only come in the absence of arrogance and psychological weaknesses. It also allows for good reasoned discussions thereby promoting not only spiritual growth but also good practical academia. Good exegesis is the laying down of one’s own views in order that the truths of the Word are presented not to fulfill the needs of the speaker but to strengthen all that fall under his voice.  Good exegesis results in the building of a strong and unified church.

My Opinion Doesn’t Matter.

     I have been in many conversations wherein my opinion in respect to certain matters was solicited. There are times when it seemed practical to make my point of view clear. For instance, if I were to go to a restaurant and order a steak I would much prefer a well-done porterhouse. But the enjoyment of that tender piece of meat impacts no one else except if they cannot stand the smell of a well prepared piece of meat. On the other hand there are things in which my opinion bears no weight and the significance of my view is nullified.

     Let’s get right down to it; if I am driving down the street and choose to run a stop sign while a police officer is looking on there is little doubt that I will be called into question for my behavior. My opinion will mean nothing if I tell the officer that there was no opposing traffic so that my opinion allowed me to run the sign without danger. Certainly the officer will let me know in a very professional manner that my opinion doesn’t matter and that the law provides no room for my opinion. There will be a consequence for me taking matters into my own hands.

     Such is the case with the Word of God. My opinion doesn’t matter in respect to what the Word of God has to say on any level. One such matter is the very existence of God. At no point in Scripture is there any attempt to prove that God is. It simply assumes the truth of God without explanation. Genesis 1:1 simply states that “In the beginning God” and with that the narrative begins. If the text is so adamant about the unapologetic presentation of the truth that is then my opinion has no room for the facts as they are. The fact of the matter is that God is and because God is my opinion concerning Him has neither weight nor bearing. The fact of God simply is.

     Not only does the fact of God’s existence not need my opinion neither does his standards. God has taken time to reveal Himself and to present standards of righteousness and holiness. If God calls anything contrary to His Word sin then it is certain that my opinion does not matter. God has a standard and that standard is holiness (Leviticus 20:7, 26; 1 Peter 1:16). The matter of holiness requires being set apart from the world and its ideals (Romans 12:1-2). As such my opinion doesn’t matter. Holiness is the standard set down by God and holiness should be the way of life for the Christian. No, my opinion doesn’t matter.