Deuteronomy #01

Deuteronomy is a commentary, a sort of didactic explanation given by Moses about the first four books of the Pentateuch. It is also the Testament of Moses, the last loving words spoken by the great patriarch to the Children of Israel.

Thirty-eight years of wandering are coming to an end. The first generation who rebelled against God has passed away and it is their children who are about to enter the Promised Land.

Because Moses had disobeyed God, he will stay behind and die in the wilderness. Moses accepts his punishment and instead of thinking of himself and his final fate, he focuses on the children of Israel and speaks to them, reminds them of God's love, and exhorts them to remain faithful to the Lord.

In this lecture, we focus on the structure, content, and intent of Deuteronomy from the point-of-view of Moses. In many ways, Deuteronomy is like a papal encyclical, expounding on Scripture and teaching us the precepts of God