The book of Deuteronomy is the final book of the Pentateuch (the five books of Moses) and records his three speeches Moses proclaims before he dies. The first speech is a remembrance of the journey Israelites made to reach the Jordan River, awaiting to overtake the Canaanite land, a long-awaited promise which stretches all the way to the promise given to Abraham in Genesis 12. Moses’ second speech is the central focus of the book of Deuteronomy (which means “second law” in Greek). This speech is commonly referred to as the Deuteronomic Law or Code and it presents an expansion of the judicial and governing regulations found in the Book of Covenant (Exodus 21-23). The 3rd and shortest speech formalizes the Deuteronomic Law and pleas for the Israelites to submit to the Deuteronomic Law. The book concludes with Moses reciting a poem and final words to each tribe, before climbing Mount Nebo. Moses takes in all the splendor of the promised land before finally passing away and is succeeded by his loyal attendant Joshua.
