5. Jesus In Deuteronomy

9/25/2022

Introduction

This morning we will be partaking of communion together. In 1 Corinthians 11:24 we are told to do it in remembrance of Jesus. As we prepare for communion then, we are going to consider a few aspects of how the book of Deuteronomy points us to Jesus and His work of redemption. We have looked at Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers in the past. So we are continuing on to see how different books of the Bible help us remember Christ and our salvation.

Overview

To begin with, it would be helpful to have an overview of what is going on in the 34 chapters of Deuteronomy. That will help us better understand how it points to Christ and will help us have a better point of reference for some of the quotations and allusions that occur in the New Testament.

The English name, Deuteronomy, comes from the Greek Septuagint title for this book. It means “second law” or “repeated law.” God originally gave the law to Israel at Mount Sinai near the beginning of the wilderness wanderings. This first giving of the law is expressed in Exodus 20-23 and then more extensively in the book of Leviticus.

After the giving of the law there, Israel rebelled against God and would not enter into the land of Canaan to take it. Instead they followed the fears of 10 of the 12 spies that had checked out the land. Because of that sin God did not let that generation enter the promised land. Now, nearly 40 years later, a new generation is preparing to enter the land. God made a new covenant with that generation with this “second” giving of the law.

The book of Deuteronomy can be split into 5 main sections. In the first four chapters Moses recounts some of Israel’s history with God through the wilderness wanderings. This includes the rejection of God by the people when they would not enter the promised land the first time, their travels with that generation’s death in the wilderness, and then the victorious wars against king Sihon of the Amorites and king Og of Bashan. Chapter four concludes this section with a strong command to remember, obey, and listen to God’s Word. They were to especially beware of idolatry, because God would not tolerate it.

Chapters 5-11 begin the giving of the law with the ten commandments. After that, though, this section is more like a preamble to the law with the heart and soul of it being communicated rather than a list of laws. There are repeated exhortations to love the Lord God with all their heart, to remember what God had done in their history, to not forget Him, to beware of idolatry, and to know that God would strongly judge disobedience and unfaithfulness.

Chapters 12-26 give the details of the law with all of the commandments. Idolatry is to be avoided and destroyed. God is to be worshipped and enjoyed with the sacrifices and feasts. Clean and unclean animals for eating and sacrificing are distinguished. Tithes and sabbatical year laws are specified. Laws for judges, kings, Levites, and prophets are given. Additionally, in chapter 18 there is a prophecy of a coming prophet like Moses who must be obeyed. Beyond that there are laws about the cities of refuge, about justice and witnesses, how warfare was to be conducted, and how many different civil matters were to be dealt with.

Chapters 27-30 then deal with the covenant that was being made between God and this new generation of Israel as they prepared to enter the promised land. Chapters 27 and 28 focus on the blessings that would come from obedience, and the curses of judgment that would come upon them for disobedience. Then in chapters 29 and 30 God makes the covenant with them amidst a recounting of their history, a preview of their future, and many solemn warnings. God would judge and exile them for their idolatry. In the end He would also restore them after they repented and He cleansed their hearts to love Him with all their heart and soul.

Chapters 31-34 make up the last section of this book as it wraps up “final things.” There is a final transition to Joshua as leader, a final song of remembrance which God commissioned to be a reminder to the people to not forget Him, a final blessing of the tribes by Moses, and a recounting of Moses’ final days as God shows Moses the promised land from Mount Nebo before he died and God buried him.

So that is the book of Deuteronomy in a whirlwind tour. There is a review of history, a giving of the heart of the law, a giving of the details of the law, a covenant that is made, and then the final acts of Moses.

How Then Does The Book Of Deuteronomy Point Forward To Christ And Help Us Remember His Sacrifice?

Throughout the book of Deuteronomy the heavy, dominant themes are of loving God with all of one’s heart, soul, mind and body and thus obeying His law, of remembering what God has done in the past, of not forgetting Him and forsaking Him for idolatry, and of God’s strong judgment which will be upon them when they abandon Him. The certainty with which God speaks on a number of occasions of Israel’s coming idolatry, judgment, and exile is prophetic of what would happen. In addition to that there is also a theme that God will have compassion and mercy on them when they repent. He will restore them, bless them, circumcise their hearts, and atone for them and their land.¹

All of this sets the stage for the coming of Christ to make that atonement and bring about the restoration and blessing that is talked about. The law itself could not do all this. In the very giving of the law, in the history recounted, and in the future prophesied we see that the law will be insufficient to preserve them faithfully serving God. A future atonement will be needed for them to reap God’s full blessing. A future prophet would be needed to bring about God’s full blessing. A circumcision of their hearts would be needed to bring about God’s full blessing. This is what Jesus and His sacrifice is bringing about.

To be able to see all this a bit more clearly we will now take a look at some of the specific prophecies and quotations from Deuteronomy that relate to Jesus.

How Is Deuteronomy Used In The New Testament And In Jesus’ Work Of Redemption?

Deuteronomy is one of the most quoted books in the New Testament. It is what Jesus quoted three times in dealing with Satan’s temptations in the wilderness. It gives us God’s standard of right and wrong as well as the heart of God behind the law. So it is no surprise that it is referenced so many times. Because of that we are not definitely not going to take a look at all of the quotations that are made.

Instead we will focus on three main areas where it points to Jesus’ work of redemption.²

1. A Prophet Like Moses, Deuteronomy 18:15, 18-19

The first prophetic aspect in Deuteronomy we are going to look at is Deuteronomy 18:15, 18-19.

Deuteronomy 18:15, 18-19 “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.

18 ‘I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. 19 ‘It shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him.

In Acts 3:22-23 Peter quotes this prophecy that God would raise up for them a prophet like Moses and that those who did not heed him would be destroyed. He directly applies this to Jesus in a message to the people in the temple after the healing of the lame beggar (Acts 3:19-26).

In Acts 7:37 Stephen also quotes this prophecy that God would raise up for them a prophet like Moses from their brethren. Stephen does this as part of his proof that the prophets had announced “the coming of the Righteous One whose betrayers and murderers” they had “now become” (Acts 7:52).

The book of Deuteronomy itself ends its last three verses with another reference to this coming prophet (Deuteronomy 34:10-12). A later editor notes that no prophet like Moses, who knew the Lord face to face and through whom God did such amazing miracles, had yet arisen. This was a prophecy still yet to be fulfilled and the very end of the book sets us up to be on the lookout for Him. Jesus is the one who fulfilled it, not any of the prophets of the Old Testament period. Jesus is the ultimate prophet who would reveal the Father to the people. He is the complete fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies of the coming prophet, priest, and king.

In the likeness of Moses—with miracles, face to face interactions with God, and revealing the Word and will of God to the people—Jesus was the ultimate prophet. As God come in the flesh no one could reveal the Father better.

Similarly, in the likeness of the timeless Melchizedekian priest, Jesus would be the ultimate priest who would make once-for-all atonement for the sins of the people. He did this on the cross through the sacrifice of His own life on our behalf. (cf. Genesis 14, Psalm 110, Hebrews 5-7)

Similarly, in the likeness of David His ancestor, Jesus will be the ultimate king who will bring justice. He will rule over Israel and the whole world with all authority forever. Every knee will bow to Him. (cf. Genesis 49:10, 2 Samuel 7:13, 16, Psalm 2:6-12, 45:6, 89:35-37, Isaiah 9:6-7, Daniel 7:13-14, Luke 1:32-33, 1 Corinthians 15:22-28, John 12:14-16, 18:36, Philippians 2:10-11, Revelation 17:14.)

Jesus is the ultimate prophet, priest, and king. Moses, Melchizedek, and David were foreshadowing examples of God coming in the flesh as the promised messiah in the person of Jesus. Deuteronomy foretells the aspect of His coming as the ultimate prophet who would mediate between God and man (Deuteronomy 18:16-17; 1 Timothy 2:5). It gave the expectation to look forward to. God would continue revealing Himself and working for their ultimate redemption and blessing. He would reveal the Father to us even more clearly than the law could. He would do signs and wonders even greater than Moses did. That is precisely what Jesus did. He validated His words with His miraculous works. He revealed the Father even more clearly to the world by His life and explanation of the heart of the law.

This is a major way that Deuteronomy points forward to Christ and His work of redemption.

2. A Circumcised Heart, Deuteronomy 30:6

Not only would there be a need for another prophet like Moses to bring in God’s full blessing, but there was also an internal need of people to enable them to walk in perfect obedience and receive God’s full blessing. Deuteronomy 30:6 tells us about this. After their future apostasy from God, their judgment, their exile, and then repentance this is what God says He would do:

Deuteronomy 30:6 “Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.

Throughout the Covenant they were being told that they needed to remember God and what He had done in redeeming them from Egypt, and in protecting and preserving them through their wanderings. They were being told that they must not forget God when things were good in the promised land which He would bring them into. They were being told that they must not become ensnared in idolatry. Future generations were even being forewarned to repent and turn back to God after their failure and exile out of the land under God’s judgment! But here we see that ultimately they will need something more.

What’s interesting, is that when the covenant was made they were also being told just a few verses later on in this same chapter that these commands to obey, to love God, to remember and not forget, were not too difficult for them (30:11-14). God’s Word is described as being very near to them—in their mouth and heart—that they might observe it. They were being told to choose life and not death. So things were not hopeless. Rather, they needed to place their hope and faith in God.

Jesus was going to come, and they needed Him to circumcise their hearts and complete their atonement and redemption from sin. Yet the life of faith and trusting in God was open to them then and there. True, the law could not save them, but in loving God and trusting Him for His way of life they would have life. It would not be impossible. They could not perfectly carry it out, but they could trust in God for His plans of redemption and life.

We know that this was indeed the case, because we have record of many who chose the life of faith, obedience, and loving God with all their heart, soul, mind and body (i.e. Hebrews 11). They were not perfect, and they would still need this promise of a circumcised heart to perfectly love God and to have their sins finally and completely atoned for. Yet it was not a false offer. Rather it was one which needed to be received by faith. They needed to remember what God had done in the past and trust Him for the future that what He said was best and right.

The law itself could not save them. It showed them the righteous standard, but even here within the giving of the law we see prophecies of things missing that were still needed. The prophet like Moses would come and they would need to listen to Him. Their hearts would need to be circumcised and changed like Ezekiel 36:22-38 talks about. They needed the New Covenant which Jeremiah 31:31-40 talks about with God’s Law written in their hearts. Jesus is the one who changes hearts, who gives His Spirit, who will give new perfect resurrection bodies, and who will bring His people unto His kingdom where they will perfectly serve Him in the millennium and on into eternity.

3. An Atoned For Land And People, Deuteronomy 32:43

Deuteronomy also talks of one other thing which they needed and which God would do for them. The law and its sacrifices were not sufficient to completely and finally atone for their sin. We can see this in Deuteronomy 32:43.

This verse is the last verse in the song which God had Moses write at the end of his life. It was to be a witness for and against the people of Israel for when they would apostatize from Him and go into exile.

It reminded them of who God was, what He had done for them, recounted the evils they would do in abandoning Him, explained why they would go into exile, the judgments God would place on them, but then also mentions His compassion upon them (verse 36) and ends with this final verse.

Deuteronomy 32:43 “Rejoice, O nations, with His people; For He will avenge the blood of His servants, And will render vengeance on His adversaries, And will atone for His land and His people.”

This is an astounding verse which has so much packed into it. It is rather astounding in what it says. First it tells the nations—the rest of the world—to rejoice with Israel. Then it talks about God’s vengeance on His adversaries. Then it talks about God atoning for His land and His people. At face value this could all be quite confusing. Yet in the midst of an exile in foreign lands, and in light of history it all comes together quite amazingly.

This whole song in Deuteronomy 32 proclaims God and His goodness, calls out Israel’s sin and idolatry for the destructive foolishness that it is, declares God’s judgment on sin, but then ends with His compassion and atonement. But not only does it have all this truth for Israel, it ends by also calling the nations to rejoice with Israel. This is a call to repentance for Israel in her exile and for the people of the nations in whom she is in exile with.

As Romans 11:11b-12 says, by Israel’s

“transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. 12 Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!”

Thus in Deuteronomy 32:43 we see God’s future plan for both Israel and the nations. God had it all recorded in a song that they were to teach from generation to generation so that when they were in exile it could be used to call them to repentance and also call the nations to repentance. A purpose of our salvation as gentiles is to make Israel jealous and bring them back to God. That in turn becomes a blessing for the whole world as God completes His work of salvation and restoration for the whole world. Yet, in the midst of this, do not forget, God’s vengeance will be upon His adversaries. All those who persist in their idolatry and sin will be judged.

Paul directly makes this connection between Deuteronomy 32:43’s future hope of atonement and Christ in Romans 15:10. The beginning part of Deuteronomy 32:43 is quoted there. Here Paul also quotes a number of other passages to make his point, so we will read from verse 8-13 to take it all in.

Romans 15:8-13 For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers, 9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, “THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES, AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME.” 10 Again he says, “REJOICE, O GENTILES, WITH HIS PEOPLE.” 11 And again, “PRAISE THE LORD ALL YOU GENTILES, AND LET ALL THE PEOPLES PRAISE HIM.” 12 Again Isaiah says, “THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT OF JESSE, AND HE WHO ARISES TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES, IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES HOPE.” 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This promise for the future in the atonement that God will carry out is what brings hope to both Israel and the nations. This hope of atonement is fulfilled in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross where He offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice to fully and finally pay the debt and penalty for our sin. He atoned for our sin. He took our punishment upon Himself. He paid our debt in full. He brought forgiveness and life. He redeemed us from the curse of the law.

We also see some additional references in the New Testament to Deuteronomy which add to our picture of this atonement. From reading Deuteronomy by itself we might not have seen all of these allusions, but in looking back they stand out as God intentionally brings them to our attention.

In Deuteronomy 21:23 in reference to a law prohibiting hanged people from remaining there overnight it adds an explanation that “he who is hanged is accursed of God.” Then in Deuteronomy 27:26 at the end of the consequences section of the covenant that God made with Israel it said this:

Deuteronomy 27:26 ‘Cursed is he who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

Galatians 3:10-14 pulls this together, along with some other quotations, to explain this salvation that Jesus provided in His atoning death, burial, and resurrection.

Galatians 3:10-14 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.” 11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” 12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The law could not bring redemption and atonement. We are all accursed for our failure to keep God’s perfect law. Our only hope, whether for Israel or the nations, is to be justified by faith in God and for He Himself to bring that about. Back there in Deuteronomy 32:43 God explicitly said that He would do it. Jesus, as God, did it. He bore our curse, paid our penalty and through faith we receive the promise of the Spirit. He makes our hearts alive, begins our transformation, and is a promise and proof that God will complete it when we die and go to be with Him. He will do it.

Have you trusted in Jesus to cleanse you of all unrighteousness, to justify you in God’s sight, to give you His righteousness, to open your heart and mind to know God, and to one day circumcise your heart? Thousands of years ago it was prophesied within the very giving of the law that God would accomplish all this. It was prophesied that Israel would not stay faithful, that they would be exiled, that God Himself would atone for the land and for His people and that it would be reason for all the nations to rejoice with Israel. This has and is taking place in Christ. Is He your refuge and hope? He is the only true hope that Israel and all the other nations have. Without Him we will only continue on in our destructive sinful behavior which will receive His just punishment.

May we heed the words of this final song in Deuteronomy and turn to Him as our only hope and salvation. He alone is the only true God. He is righteous and pure. He alone can and has atoned for sin. Trust Him.

Then, may we continue on trusting Him day by day. May we heed the many warnings in the book of Deuteronomy to remember what He has done. Remember His salvation of us from our sin. Remember what He has brought us through in life. Remember His promise to be with us always until the end of the age. May we also heed the many warnings to not forget Him in His blessing like Israel did and begin worshipping and serving the things and gods of this world.

Conclusion

Deuteronomy 12:29-32 gives us a fitting reminder in our own day and age for us to consider in that regard.

Deuteronomy 12:29-32 “When the LORD your God cuts off before you the nations which you are going in to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, 30 beware that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?’ 31 “You shall not behave thus toward the LORD your God, for every abominable act which the LORD hates they have done for their gods; for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. 32 “Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it.

If we are not careful with our leisure time in our blessing from God our curiosity can lead us into checking out and following the world’s idols. Our lives as God’s redeemed people should not be imitations of the world. We should not be trying to see how close we can get to being like the world. We should not look to them as our examples to follow. We should not look to them or their TV shows for how to have a fulfilled and satisfying life. We should not look to them for our hope and purpose in life. We should not look to them as our political saviors as if we could build God’s kingdom on earth through their efforts and ideas. Jesus alone is our Savior and hope. He alone is our God and purpose for life.

May we not forget God in our affluence here in America. Instead may we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and body and trust Him as we walk in obedience to His Word and purpose for our lives.

As we prepare to take communion now we will have a moment of quiet while we think on these things. Do you know Jesus as your atoning Lord and Savior? Trust Him. Have you forgotten Him in the way you live life? Turn back to living wholeheartedly for Him. Let’s deal with those issues and then remember Him and give thanks to Him for His redemption of us from our sin. Let’s be encouraged to continue holding onto our hope of the completion of our salvation which He will bring about. Let’s be encouraged to fulfill our parts in calling Israel and the nations to this one and only hope of eternal life.

After a moment of quiet reflection in our own hearts we will pray. Then we will partake of the elements together as we corporately remember and give God thanks. ³

© 2022, Kevin A. Dodge, All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB),Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

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Related Topics: Christian Life, Communion, Soteriology (Salvation)