8 Powerful Lessons in the Book of Deuteronomy

8 Powerful Lessons in the Book of Deuteronomy are taught by Moses as he prepares Israel to enter the Promised Land. Deuteronomy, the final book of the Torah, was written by Moses and records his final messages to the nation of Israel. The Book of Deuteronomy is a book of adventure and sadness all at the same time. Moses, the great leader, is at the end of his life and now preparing new leaders and the people for revelation of the Promised Land.

Moses has been the central figure throughout Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Throughout his life he has learned powerful lessons, beginning with a not-so-spectacular act that changed his life and ending with a truly spectacular summary of his life.

Lesson 1 – Don’t Let Circumstances Stop You From Hearing God

As we look at Moses and the lessons in the Bible, we see a man born to a Jewish woman, who was then raised by Pharoah’s daughter. Moses knew he was an Israelite by birth. We know little of his life until he was a grown man who encountered trouble coping with life’s circumstances.

He saw an Egyptian hit a Jewish servant and became very angry. In his anger, he killed the Egyptian for striking one of his kinsmen. He thought no one saw what he did but, the next day, he learned that others knew what he did. He ran away from Egypt. Here we see a very human reaction – running from the bad things in life. 

However, God used this circumstance to bring Moses to a burning bush in the desert where He could speak with Moses and set the course of his life.

If we listen to God’s voice as Moses did, God can turn the bad into good. This is one of the powerful lessons in the life of Moses and the Book of Deuteronomy. Moses had sinned and run away from his own sin. But, he was still the one God wanted to use to establish the nation of Israel and lead them to the Promised land. Why? Because Moses submitted himself to his God.

When we sin, there is forgiveness in God as we listen to His voice and obey Him. He can take what was bad and make it good if we let Him. Here in the Book of Deuteronomy, we see the outcome as Moses learned and grew in faith. His stirring and powerful words to the nation still guide us today.

Lesson 2 – Choose the Reward of the Treasures of Faith

Moses had power and wealth in Egypt but he chose a life of sacrifice, hardship, and difficulty instead. Moses might have been able to return to Egypt after Pharoah died. But, from the beginning by the burning bush, Moses understood obedience and faith. 

Faith enabled Moses to choose God’s will, for although he was raised as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, he refused to make that his identity, choosing instead to suffer mistreatment with the people of God. Moses preferred faith’s certainty above the momentary enjoyment of sin’s pleasures. He found his true wealth in suffering abuse for being anointed, more than in anything the world could offer him, for his eyes looked with wonder not on the immediate, but on the ultimate—faith’s great reward! Holding faith’s promise Moses abandoned Egypt and had no fear of Pharaoh’s rage because he persisted in faith as if he had seen God who is unseen.

Lesson 3 – Obedient Humility Is Better Than Sacrifice

The concept of obedience to a King in today’s world can have a negative connotation. We may think of a cruel dictator who demands obedience and, if you fail to obey, you are punished harshly or killed.

However, obedience to God is different in that, our obedience is based on a personal choice. We choose to obey traffic laws; we obey and wear our seat belts; and, we obey regulations in our jobs. In all of these instances, our obedience is voluntary. We obey because we see the benefit to ourselves and our society. Laws attempt to bring safety and order. 

Of course, laws can be violated and negative circumstances ensue. For most people, this enforces our desire to obey the law and see others do the same.

When God speaks of obedience, He speaks of love. His laws are laws meant for our good. God’s laws protect us. He lovingly builds a fence (the law) to keep us safely within His presence. 

Moses was a humble man. He humbled himself before God and this humility gave him the ability to be obedient. Disobedience to God is born from arrogance and pride. Disobedience means we have become our own God. 

Moses understood the reward of obedient humility and knew that God is our life. Deuteronomy 30:19 could be the greatest message Moses delivered. 

• Love the Lord your God. 
• Obey His voice. 
• Hold fast to Him.

Choose Life Through Obedience

Moses himself set a choice before the people, a choice for life or death, and throughout the book of Deuteronomy he tells them that life only comes through loving and obeying God and the Torah.

In Deuteronomy 20:5-6 Moses says, “Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore, be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'”

Lesson 4 – Understand that Your Faith Impacts the Generations to Follow

In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses wanted the people to remember their time in the desert so that they would not repeat the sins and so that their children would know and see the truth. He understood the impact their testimony would have upon their children and their children’s children.

• Don’t forget what you have learned.
• Teach what you have learned to your children and grandchildren

A life spent keeping the Word of God in your heart should change the words of your mouth and impact generations to come. This is a powerful lesson that every generation should be passing on.

Lesson 5 – Beware of Idolatry

Moses brings a strong warning regarding idolatry. The warning extended into the future when the children and grandchildren might be tempted to create idols or to worship the sun, moon, and stars. Then he reminds them again of the wonder of what God has done with this nation.

• He tells them that ‘nothing like this has ever happened before.’ 
• God created a nation out of another nation.
• He spoke to them out of fire.
• He performed miracles in Egypt.
• He let them hear His voice. 

How easily we all fall into idolatry. We may not create golden calves or carve gods out of wood, but we can make idols of many other things – money, cars, people. Instead, Moses calls all generations to remember what God has done, is doing, and will do in their lives. Remember the lessons others have passed on to you and the ones you have learned and then teach them to the generations that follow.

Beware of idolatry because no idol we can create compares to the majestic greatness of the Lord your God.

Lesson 6 – Love Your God With All Your Heart

Moses’ second sermon begins in 4:44 and ends in 26:19. He starts by remembering the Ten Commandments and then makes a statement that was emphasized by Jesus and is repeated to this day:

Moses follows that with instruction for families, “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:6-9 NKJV

Teach the lessons of love from the life of Moses. Moses reiterated the law to the children of Israel, but, as you read the Book, notice all the times Moses points out the love of God toward us and the necessity of our deep love for Him. 

Lesson 7 – God Hears Your Intercession

The lessons from the life of Moses in the Book of Deuteronomy include a reminder against rebellion. At one point, God had been very angry with the Israelites, calling them stiff-necked people. God wanted to destroy them. However, Moses interceded on their behalf. He destroyed the golden calf, prayed for Aaron, and fasted for 40 days and 40 nights calling out to God to change His mind. God heard Moses’ voice and spared the people.

In the New Testament, we are told that Jesus is now in heaven interceding for us:

“He” of course, is Jesus, our intercessor. Intercession is the act of intervening on behalf of another. Moses stood between God and the people. He interceded, not for his own good, but for the lives of others. The lessons from the life of Moses show us the power of intercession and the New Testament tells all believers to be intercessors.

Intercede with passion. Sometimes passion is lacking in our prayers. We pray just because we know we should. A friend may ask you to pray for someone you don’t even know and you do, but without any real passion or belief that your prayers can change things. 

When Moses interceded for the lives of the people, there was complete passion. He didn’t just ask once. He kept asking. He prayed for the people. He fasted. He was serious and passionate about this request and he didn’t give up until he got an answer. That is passionate prayer.

Continued Reminders

Moses reminded the people to care for the poor and reminded them to keep the feasts God had established. In Deuteronomy 18:15, Moses prophesied of One who would come to take his place. Another lesson from the life of Moses is that of passion which led to him being ‘all in’ regarding obedience to God, faith in Him, and total surrender to God. The feasts were important pointers to the coming Messiah and Moses understood the need to observe them.

Lesson 8 – Your Words Matter

The name “Deuteronomy’ means ‘words’ in Hebrew. The entire book, with the exception of the last chapter, is the ‘words’ of Moses. Deuteronomy functioned as a type of national constitution. King Josiah is thought to have used a scroll of the ‘words’ to call Israel back to obedience. Jesus quoted the ‘words’ during His time of temptation in the desert.

You are to fear Adonai your God, serve him and swear by his name. You are not to follow other gods, chosen from the gods of the peoples around you;” Deuteronomy 6:13-14 CJB was quoted by Jesus in Luke 4:7

You are not to test Adonai your God, as you tested Him at Massah. Deuteronomy 6:16 TLV Also Quoted by Jesus in Luke 4:12

Your Words Count No Matter Who You Are

Moses was a unique individual. He was a prophet, leader, and he knew God face-to-face. Of course, his words held great impact and we may tend to think, “I’m not Moses so my words don’t really matter.”

One of the lessons from the life of Moses is his recognition that everyone’s words matter to those around them. Your words matter to your family, friends, and acquaintances. Your words can be passed down from generation to generation.

In fact, your words matter to you! You hear yourself speak and if your words are negative, filled with anger, or are hopeless, you are creating that reality within yourself. Words have power. Words create.

In Deuteronomy 6 Moses said to teach the Words of God. 

• You shall teach them diligently to your children.
• You shall talk of them when you sit in your house
• when you walk by the way
• when you lie down
• and when you rise up.
• You shall bind them as a sign on your hand
• they shall be as frontlets (little bags with scriptures written on parchment inside) between your eyes.
• You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 NKJV
• Even today, Jewish people write scripture on the doorposts of their homes. They also have containers in various places with scriptures inside them. As the people pass by, they place one hand on the container to remember the word of God. 
• Lesson 8 – Our words should teach and reflect the Word of God. Your words matter to all those around you and to your own spiritual health and strength.

The Death of Moses

The book of Deuteronomy ends with the death of Moses and here is the spectacular statement that sums up Moses’ life and life lessons. 

Since that time there has not arisen in Isra’el a prophet like Moshe, whom Adonai knew face to face. What signs and wonders Adonai sent him to perform in the land of Egypt upon Pharaoh, all his servants and all his land! What might was in his hand! What great terror he evoked before the eyes of all Isra’el! Deuteronomy 34:10-12 CJB

8 Powerful Lessons in the Book of Deuteronomy

Here are the powerful lessons from the Book of Deuteronomy and the life of Moses in the Bible. I would have to write a book to include all that we can learn from him and Deuteronomy. 

1. Don’t let circumstances stop you from hearing God.
2. Choose the reward of the treasures of faith.
3. Obedient humility is better than sacrifice.
4. Understand that your faith impacts the generations to follow.
5. Beware of idolatry.
6. Love your God with all your heart.
7. God hears your intercession.
8. Your words matter.

Below, you will find a link to Scripture cards from the book of Deuteronomy to keep with you and use as reminders of God’s love for you. 

CLICK HERE – 16 Free Scripture Cards for 8 Powerful Lessons in the Book of Deuteronomy

You might also enjoy reading – The Book of Numbers – Bridge to the Promised Land

Inspiration For Life Today uses verses from different Bible translations. To see more information about the copyright for each one, please visit this page – Scripture Citations.