Deuteronomy

The Book of Deuteronomy serves as a final call to remembrance, obedience, and covenant faithfulness. Spoken largely by Moses, Deuteronomy records a series of farewell addresses delivered to Israel on the plains of Moab, just before the nation enters the Promised Land. It is not merely a repetition of earlier law, but a renewed explanation of God’s commands, shaped by experience, failure, and grace.

Deuteronomy looks backward and forward at the same time. Moses recounts Israel’s journey from Sinai through the wilderness, reminding the people of God’s faithfulness despite their repeated rebellion. These historical reflections are not nostalgia; they are instruction. Israel is urged to learn from the past so they do not repeat it in the land they are about to inherit.

At the heart of the book is covenant loyalty. Deuteronomy emphasizes that obedience flows from relationship, not obligation alone. God’s laws are presented as life-giving instructions meant to shape a just, compassionate, and faithful society. Love for God is expressed through obedience, and obedience is shown in daily life—how people worship, govern, work, judge, and care for one another.

One of the book’s central declarations is the Shema: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.” This confession establishes monotheism, loyalty, and devotion as the foundation of Israel’s identity. God demands not partial allegiance, but wholehearted love—heart, soul, and strength fully surrendered.

Deuteronomy also confronts the reality of choice. Blessings and curses are set plainly before the people. Life and death, obedience and rebellion, faithfulness and consequence are not hidden behind mystery. God speaks clearly, urging Israel to choose life—not merely for survival, but for flourishing in the land He provides.

As Moses’ life draws to a close, the book becomes deeply personal. He commissions Joshua, records the law for future generations, and offers a final blessing to the tribes. Though Moses will not enter the land, Deuteronomy affirms that God’s promises will continue beyond any one leader.

The Book of Deuteronomy stands as a timeless call to remember who God is, what He has done, and how His people are to live in response. It teaches that faith is not inherited by location or tradition, but sustained by obedience, remembrance, and love for the LORD.

Deuteronomy 14:1

Ye are the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.

Deuteronomy 14:10

And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you.

Deuteronomy 14:11

Of all clean birds ye shall eat.

Deuteronomy 14:12

But these are they of which ye shall not eat: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,

Deuteronomy 14:13

And the glede, and the kite, and the vulture after his kind,

Deuteronomy 14:14

And every raven after his kind,

Deuteronomy 14:15

And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,

Deuteronomy 14:16

The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan,

Deuteronomy 14:17

And the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant,

Deuteronomy 14:18

And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.

Deuteronomy 14:19

And every creeping thing that flieth is unclean unto you: they shall not be eaten.

Deuteronomy 14:2

For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.

Deuteronomy 14:20

But of all clean fowls ye may eat.

Deuteronomy 14:21

Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his […]

Deuteronomy 14:22

Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.

Deuteronomy 14:23

And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.

Deuteronomy 14:24

And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:

Deuteronomy 14:25

Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:

Deuteronomy 14:26

And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,

Deuteronomy 14:27

And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.

Deuteronomy 14:28

At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:

Deuteronomy 14:29

And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.