Who the Book of Deuteronomy Is For

These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness...DEUTERONOMY 1:1Deuteronomy is especially for three groups of people.Deuteronomy is for those trusted with leadership.When he sits on the throne… he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law… he shall read in it all the days of his life that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law (17:18, 19).This is a book for everyone who leads. It is for fathers, mothers, elders, pastors, and missionaries. If you are going to lead others, you need to know this book.Deuteronomy is for all God’s people.You shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Assemble the people, men, women, and little ones… that they may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, and be careful to do all the words of this law. (31:10, 11, 12).This book is about God’s will for the lives of His people. Children need to hear what is in this book. It is for families. It is for the whole church.Deuteronomy is for people who have forgotten the Lord.More than 800 years after Moses spoke these words, God used this book to ignite an extraordinary change in Israel. God’s people went through some dark times under kings who did great evil. For example, during Manasseh’s 55- year reign this book was completely forgotten. The result was a generation that did not know the Lord and could not tell good from evil or truth from error.When Josiah came to the throne, the high priest found a copy of Deuteronomy in the temple and read it to him. Josiah tore his robes, gave himself to prayer, and launched a reformation that changed the nation. God has used this book powerfully in the past, and He may well use it in your life. Do you think this book is for you? Why or why not?Written by Colin SmithRead by Sue McLeish www.openthebible.org.uk