5) The Book of Deuteronomy

DEUTERONOMY records the last words of Moses to Israel. Moses reviewed the history of Israel and offered lawful advice to establish and maintain a spiritual and prosperous nation. These lawful principles formed the commonwealth of Israel (Eph. 2:12). A commonwealth generally designates...a republican frame of government, one in which the welfare and rights of the entire mass of people are the main consideration, rather than the privileges of a class or the will of a monarch (Black's Law Dictionary). A commonwealth seeks the well being of the common people through the common law (Esther 10:3).

A constitutional republic is that form of government in which the administration of affairs is open to all the citizens (Bouvier's Law Dictionary, 1856). The lawful authority in this form of government is retained by the common people (Prov. 29:2), whereas officials are elected as servants to the people. This was the foundational law for the nations of Israel and the original united States of America. The latter formed a Triune Republic with the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. This book serves as a handbook of a lawful foundation for any nation.

Deuteronomy is so named because it records the second (deuce) giving of the Law. This makes it a duet of the Law. This shows that repetition with variation is the key to learning (Isa. 28:9-13; Luke 11:52). Learning from the failures of history is better than repeating them (Eccl. 1:9). National blessings or curses are dependent upon the people's obedience to God's word (Deut. 11:26-28; Ps. 33:12). The book has 34 chapters and 959 verses.

King James Bible