Sheffield Old Testament Guides: Deuteronomy
Overview
Clements presents this book as a central law-book (Chapters 12–26) surrounded by a framework (Chapters 1–11 and 27–34). The framework consists of a historical introduction in Chapters 1–3, a series of speeches and exhortation and admonition in Chapters 4–11, and a historical epilogue in Chapters 27–34. The central law-book of Chapters 12–26, says Clements, appears as a recognizable whole, a series of laws, many of which elaborate on earlier laws preserved in the book of Exodus. The author also investigates the central theological themes, authorship, historical background and the social development of Israel and its connections to the book of Deuteronomy.
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Top Highlights
“It makes its appeal to every Israelite to respond wholeheartedly to God’s gracious calling of the nation by displaying a loving obedience towards him. Consequently the laws are backed up by admonitions to learn, teach, remember and obey them as the indispensable basis for the fulfilment of God’s purpose on earth.” (Page 8)
“What we find in Deuteronomy is essentially a re-giving of the laws of the covenant made with Israel on Mount Horeb” (Page 7)
“They viewed the possession of a sacred book of divine instruction as one of the greatest of God’s gifts to Israel. This book was to be kept in the most holy of all places beside the very ark of the covenant (Deut. 31:9–13). Even the king was to govern his own life and that of his kingdom by reading and meditating upon it constantly (Deut. 17:18–20; cf. l Kgs. 2:1–4).” (Page 10)
“Judaism and Christianity have found their faith to be focussed upon a literature of sacred writings. They are both religions of a book, and it is Deuteronomy which most distinctively established the pattern for such a book-oriented spirituality.” (Page 11)
“admonition to Israel before their entry into the land (Deut. 31:1–13).” (Page 7)
- Title: Sheffield Old Testament Guides: Deuteronomy
- Author: Ronald E. Clements
- Publisher: Sheffield Academic Press
- Publication Date: 1997
- Pages: 101
Ronald E. Clements was formerly Samuel Davidson Professor of Old Testament at King’s College at the University of London. He earned his degrees at Spurgeon’s College in London; Christ’s College, Cambridge; and the University of Sheffield, UK, where he received his Ph.D. in 1961. After lecturing seven years at the University of Edinburgh, he spent 1967-83 as a lecturer at Cambridge University. An ordained Baptist minister in England since 1956, he has written more than a dozen significant books on the Old Testament. He also contributed to the esteemed Hermeneia commentary set.