One Last Thing Before I Go – Deut. Chpt. 1

Deuteronomy is the 5th book of the Bible and the final book of the Pentateuch. It was written just prior to Moses' death. The word 'Deuteronomy' comes from the Greek 'deuteronomion' which means 'second law'. Essentially, Deuteronomy is a second record of Exodus and Leviticus, combined in abbreviated form. But why?

As Moses speaks the words of this book, he is preparing for his own death. He will not enter the Promised Land due to an event that happened years earlier. So before he dies, he feels the need to remind the congregation of Israel all that God had said to their parents 40 years earlier. Those who were alive back then were just kids. But most of the current congregation had been born AFTER the law was first given on Sinai. So Moses gives them a quick lesson before he goes.