Page 105 - Pentateuch

In the early days of Christianity, the Ten Commandments were recognized as the foundation for all the rest
of the laws. Many experts do not accept the covenant treaty view of the organization of Deuteronomy.
Because parts of the book seem obscure and difficult to fit into the scheme, they reject the “table of
contents” explanation. Despite the general rejection, many still see the Ten Commandments as “a seed that
sprouts and grows and eventually yields its beautiful flowers.” 122 The various holiness instructions in the
Pentateuch, designed to give life, beauty, and power, flow from the Ten Commandments.

The third part of the typical treaty contains specific treaty stipulations. This is the bulk of the book, from
chapters six through twenty-six. God instructs Israel with laws that will distinguish them from other nations,
laws that will reflect their love of him. “These are the decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to
teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess (6:1). Throughout the section,
we find reminders of the need for obedience. “See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take
away from it (12:32). Future kings are to write out a copy of the law for personal use (17:18-20). The last
paragraph in the section reminds the nation, “Carefully observe them with all your heart and with all your
soul (26:16).” The result would be “praise, fame, and honor high above all the nations he has made
(26:19).” Truly, they would be a unique, holy people.

As we have noted the form of a vassal treaty already in Deuteronomy, we must note the structure of this
section. God is using a 1400 B.C. form to communicate to his people, but he does not allow the human form
to change its content. The structure of this section can be laid out in sub-sections reflecting the Ten
Commandments as already given by God to Israel.

Commandment Content Passage
1 5:6-7 worship of God 6:1-11:32
2 5:8-10 idolatry 12:1-31
3 5:11 misuse of the name of the Lord, 13:1-14:21
4 5:12-15 Sabbath 14:22-16:17
5 5:16 authority (honor) 16:18-18:22
6 5:17 homicide 19:1-22:12
7 5:18 adultery 22:13-23:14
8 5:19 theft 23:15-24:7
9 5:20 false charges 24:8-25:4
10 5:21 coveting 25:5-26:15 123

At this point, with Israel about to enter the Promised Land and evict the people living there, it is valuable to
consider God’s command to eliminate certain peoples, called “the ban.” Sometimes the word is used in
reference to devoting an object in service to God. The action is
optional as the person is expressing their thanks to God (Lev. ~rex]h – “the harem” - the
27:28, 29). Most of the time, the word refers to “utter

destruction, the compulsory dedication of something which impedes or resists God’s work, which is
considered to be accursed before God.” 124 The word alone may not communicate the meaning to us in

122 Daniel I. Block, Deuteronomy (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012),169.
123 This outline is modified from Kaiser, Toward Old Testament Ethics, p. 129. Much debate surrounds the division of
the first and second commandment. Many authors put the two together and split the tenth commandment, much as
the Catholic Church does. Yet chapter twelve with its focus on a central place of worship would seem to highlight the
importance of turning from idols specifically. Stephen A. Kaufman writes (“The Structure of the Deuteronomic Law,”
Maarav, Spring, 1979, Vol. 1. No.2, p. 122), there is a “formal demarcation between chaps. 11 and 12 and the notable
difference in style and message between chaps 6-11 and chap. 12.”
124 Leon J. Wood, “ban,” Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, Harris, et al eds. (Chicago: Moody Bible Institute,
1980), 1:324.
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