Deuteronomic History, Essay Example

The descriptive term ‘Deuteronomic History” was initial used at the start of the 19^th Century. Then and even today, the term was used by scholars to refer to the canonical theory of a historical thread traceable in some biblical books, namely Deuteronomy through to Second Kings. As will be elaborated hereunder, the historical thread traceable in the Deuteronomic history is a central message of obedience versus disobedience to God’s commands. Obedience is depicted as to lead to success while disobedience leads only to disaster (Geoghegan, 2006).

To some schools of thought, Deuteronomic History only refers to the biblical books beginning with Joshua, then Judges, then 1^st Samuel, then 2^nd Samuel, then 1^st and finally the 2^nd Kings. The integrated block of biblical text uniquely covers a period lasting from conquest of Canaan, spans through the destruction of Judah’s kingdom and ends at the beginning of Israelites’ exile in Babylon. Scholars say that a single author, a singular source as it were, must have written the books. The author is also referred to as the D Source, the Deuteronomist or the Deutronomer (Geoghegan, 2006).

The discovery of the Deuteronomic History is today credited to the Martin Noth, a German scholar who first published his legendary findings in the 1943, ‘, Überlieferungsgeschichtliche Studien’. Noth’s discovery noted of similar language usage, similar ideology and a harmonious theme pervading Deuteronomic history books.

Features of the Deuteronomic History

The Deuteronomic history’s books have a similar story line and one that is parallel to the one found in Chronicles. Scholars believe that Chronicles is the historical account that integrates a priestly point of view while also attempting to resolve notable inconsistencies in the Deuteronomic history. In Deuteronomic history, the language used, the style adopted, the sentence structure characteristic of the text, the periodically breaks of speeches to enable characters summaries the story, the central theme consistent purpose (apostasy message of consequences of disobedience) are all the featured characteristics (Campbell, 2000).

Stages of Deuteronomic History

The Deuteronomic history has five distinct stages, which elaborate one basic theme of the Deuteronomic history namely, obedience results to success while disobedience results to destruction. Most scholars refer to this as the Deuteronomic Cycle (Cairns, 1992). The background on which the cycle begins is when Israelites are respectful of God and true worship (Also called settlement stage). Nevertheless, with time the First stage of the cycle sets in when they start following pagan religions of their neighboring nations (Also called rebellions stage). Consequent to the disobedience, the second stage sees God angry (Also called punishment stage). God hands the Israelites to foreign armies and raiders from enemy nations in this stage (Cairns, 1992).

The Third stage is sometimes called Mercies of the Lord, since it is the time during which God raises up several judges to help deliver Israelites and successfully lead their armies to glorious victory (Also called the repentance stage). It is in the forth is stage that people regretfully and repentfully turn back to God and are thus delivered (Also called the renewed victory stage or the reconciliation stage).

However, the fifth stage sets in when the generation that knew of the due punishment to rebellion dies and subsequent generations again fall away from the lord (Also called the Fall Stage). As can be found in the Second Chapter of Judges, line 6 to 23, the last stage is of a generational fall from righteousness. The bible records “¹⁰ after that entire generation had been gathered to their fathers, one more generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel.^”

The Significance of Deuteronomic History

Deuteronomic History begins with David, Saul and then Solomon depicting the Kingship as corrupt, rebellious and blasphemous, thus bringing misfortunes to Israelites. The distinct main theme here is that disobedience to God’s law brings punishment, particularly in the withdrawal of God’s mercy and blessings.

Scholars agree that the principal significance of the Deuteronomic history is a covenant arrived at between God and Israelites at Mt. Sinai (Horeb). This covenant is significant to the Israel’s community in that it is a solemn pact detailing what Israel must do to retain God’s favour. Living by the covenant means success, good life and blessings. Disobedience yields death, curses and suffering.

The Purpose of Deuteronomic History

The Deuteronomic history’s core purpose is to explain reasons why God caused Israelites’ defeat by Babylonians and the consequent suffering. The Deuteronomic history must have been a pastoral message (what we call today, apostasy) to warn the people of Israel against the dire consequences of disobedience to God.

References

Geoghegan, J. (2006).The Time, Place, and Purpose of the Deuteronomistic History. Providence: Brown University. 87-89.

Campbell, F. (2000). Unfolding the Deuteronomistic History: Origins, Upgrades, Present Text. Louisbourg: Fortress Press. 173-174.

Cairns, I. (1992). Word and Presence: A Commentary on the Book of Deuteronomy. Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. 120-127.