In the opening chapters of Deuteronomy (1-3), Moses recalled the history of Israel's wanderings in the wilderness: the refusal of the people to march into Canaan, the judgment of God on that generation, avoidance of Edom, Moab and Ammon (because God gave these nations their own land as possessions), the defeat of Sihon of the Amorites and of Og of Bashan (compare Num 20-21), allotment of land beyond Jordan to Reuben and Gad.  From the time Israel turned away from the Promised Land, 38 years elapsed during which "that entire generation of fighting men had perished from the camp"  (Deut 2:14-15).

         

One way to handle the long discourses in Deuteronomy is to approach the book thematically. This allows us to bring together verses that are scattered throughout the book.  The topics we shall cover are: the Priority of Israel, Blessings and Curses, Israel's Destiny, Treatment of Foreigners, the Glory of the Law, the Threefold Cord, and God's Word.