SECOND TELLING: verse by notes on Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy technically means "second law" but this is not a new law being given to the next generation of Israelites. This is a second recitation of the Law. The first was given to the generation of God's people who left Egypt and camped at Sinai. The second telling of the Law is given by Moses to the children of that first generation. Why? Because all their parents were dead and buried in the wilderness; it will be up to the next generation to claim the Land of Promise. Even Moses himself will remain behind: The one who will lead the campaign to take Canaan is Joshua, who will plead with his people to follow the Lord and not turn to idolatry like their parents did. Moses' final words to Israel contain the same plea. In this text, as he recites the Law, he reminds his kinsmen of the love of the Lord, the expectations of holiness, and the precious promises in store for those who make God their only God.