Deuteronomy 1:1-8, Renewal or a New Covenant?

The title “Deuteronomy” means “Second Law” and was the name given this book in the Latin translation.  The Hebrew title, as usual, comes from the opening words of the book: These are the words.  In what sense is Deuteronomy a “Second Law?”  Is it a repeat of what was given in Exodus and Leviticus, and thus is being renewed?  Or is it different, a second covenant?

When you read Deuteronomy you can see that there are certainly differences from what was given at Mt. Sinai.  The Levitical laws about sacrifices and cleansing and feasts are not in Deuteronomy.  And there are some additional laws, some of which we’ll note in a moment.

The key passage on this question is Deut. 29:1: These are the words of the covenant which the LORD commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, besides the covenant which He made with them in Horeb.  At the least this verse indicates, one, that the Mt. Sinai covenant is not being replaced; and two, there must be differences between the two. 

Here are a few thoughts from various commentators:

·       Jamison, Faucette, Brown says they are substantially the same, but renewed.

·       The saint J. Vernon McGee says it is the law interpreted in light of 38 years of experience.  It is an application of the law to the different generation.

·       John MacArthur says it is not a second law.

·       Matthew Henry calls it a ratification of the first, done because many now were not at Sinai.

·       Albert Barnes refers to it as the solemn renewal of the covenant.

·        Charles Ellicott, on Dt. 29:1, says that the covenant being made is the one spoken of in Dt. 29-30, not what was said from Dt. 5-28.  And what follows in Dt. 29-30 is the current generation affirming the special relationship of God with the Nation.  He also points out Dt. 5:2 at the beginning of the statutes and judgments of Deuteronomy which reads, The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.  What that passage makes clear is that the Sinatic covenant is still intact and the current generation is accountable to that as well as what is in Deuteronomy that might be additional.

We will talk a little more about this in the next post.  For now, I am going to post one of my favorite “maps” (drawings) of Israel that shows how Moses’ description of the land in Dt. 1:7 is precise as to the various geographical areas: the mountains of the Amorites (Ramat HaGolan), the neighboring places in the Arabah (the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea and on to Eilat), the mountains (Samaria, Benyamin, Judea, Hevron), the lowland (the shephalah, little hills from Modi’in to Beersheba), the South (below Beersheba to Egypt), and the seacoast (the coastal plain).  What a varied and fascinating piece of land.  HaEretz Yisrael, the Land of Israel.