The first part of the Old Testament known as the Pentateuch, or five-volume book, concludes with the Book of Deuteronomy. It is a Greek name for the words deuteros nomos which means the “second law.”
A better translation of Deuteronomy would be “a copy of the law.” The Law, of course, is the whole complex of regulations which governed the moral, social and religious life of the Jewish nation.
Deuteronomy is not dull reading like a juridical book, for the Law is shown as the message of salvation. Perhaps the idea of the Law is explained best in Deuteronomy 30:11-14: “For this Law that I enjoin on you today is not beyond your strength, or beyond your reach. It is not in heaven so that you need to wonder, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us and bring it down to us, so that we may hear it and keep it?’ No, the Word is very near to you, it is in your mouth and in your heart for your observance.” God has given the Chosen People the Law as a means of of expressing their devotion, as a way to love Him with all their hearts, souls, and strength.
Scripture scholars believe that the book owes its origin to the school of Jewish theology and biblical writing which arose in the southern Kingdom of Judah under the inspiring leadership of Josiah. He instituted a reform patterned after that of his great-grandfather, Hezekiah This school of theology and writing is known as the Deuteronomic tradition. It is responsible mainly for the Book of Deuteronomy, the Books of Joshua and Judges, the two Books of Samuel, and the two Books of Kings.
This anonymous school of preachers and teachers undertook to recreate the first fervor of the people in the time of Moses and to renew the faith of the community which had made a solemn covenant with God. They were helped considerably by inheriting a copious collection of Mosaic Law which was developed probably during the ninth and eight centuries through the repetition of the covenant ceremony at the northern sanctuary located at Shechem. It is thought today the core of Deuteronomy (4:44 to 28:69, except Chapter 27) comes from this source. It is also thought that it was put in written form in the first quarter of the seventh century B.C. However, it was lost for a time and only discovered in the Temple at Jerusalem during a renovation in the year 622 B.C. It seems that it had been brought to the Temple by the Levitical priests who fled to the southern kingdom under the Assyrian persecution about fifty years before it was discovered.
Chapter 28 of Deuteronomy contains some frightful curses on those who not observe the Law. The Second Book of Kings (22:13) records the impact of these words on King Josiah. “Great is Yahweh’s wrath that is kindled against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book.” From then on, Josiah’s reform was inspired by Deuteronomy. A great covenant renewal ceremony was held in Jerusalem, perhaps for the first time. Passover became a pilgrimage feast as Deuteronomy 16:5 commands. Other reforms took place. Jerusalem became the sole place where God could be worshiped in the land and the Temple became the dwelling place of God’s name.
Profound respect for Moses is evident throughout the Book of Deuteronomy and is stated explicitly in the last three verses of the book. This tradition of the utmost respect for Moses continued through the centuries. What Moses said, what Moses taught were the norm and guide. The efforts of the prophets were centered always on bringing the people back to Moses whenever they strayed from his way of life. Also, the Book of Deuteronomy played a very important part as a source of the authentic tradition. It is interesting to note that all three scriptural texts used by Christ to counter the devil’s temptations are from Deuteronomy.
It is interesting also to consider what a bombshell it was for Christ to stand before the people and to declare, “I have not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, I have come not to abolish but to complete them.” Then He began to teach in the place of Moses, “You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors…but I say this to you…” He was the new Moses