Deuteronomy: Outline/Overview

Analysis (Edward Woods, 2011):

1. First Address of Moses: Retrospect - What God Has Done (1:1-4:43).
2. Second Address of Moses: What God Commands for the Future (4:44-28:68).
3. Third Address of Moses: Recapitulation of the Covenant Demand and the Call to Choose God and Obey (29:1-30:20).
4. The Transition from Moses to Joshua (31:1-34:12).

The major sections (Christopher Wright, 1996; Edward Woods, 2011):

1. Historical review followed by exhortation (1:1-4:43).
2. The heart of covenant faith, followed by exhortation to covenant loyalty, law, covenant renewal, blessings and curses (4:44-28:68).
3. Summary and concluding challenge: Recapitulation of the covenant demand (29:1-30:20).
4. Epilogue--the last acts of Moses: commissioning of Joshua, song and blessing, death (31-1-34:12).

Concentric literary pattern (Wright, Woods):

A The outer structure: A Look Backward (1-3).

B The inner frame: The Great Peroration (4-11).

C The central core: Covenant Stipulations (12-26).

B' The inner frame: The Covenant Ceremony (27-30).

A' The outer structure: A Look Forward (31-34).

Deuteronomy (Peter Craigie, 1976):

1. Introduction to Deuteronomy (1:1-5).
2. Address of Moses: Historical Prologue (1:6-4:43).
3. Address of Moses: The Law (4:44-26:19).
4. Address of Moses: Blessings and Curses (27:1-28:68).
5. Address of Moses: Concluding Charge (29:1-30:20).
6. The Continuity of the Covenant from Moses to Joshua (31:1-34:12).

The key elements in treaty form (Wright):

1. Preamble: identifying the speaker and addressees (1:1-5).
2. Historical prologue: relating significant events in the relationship between the parties (1:6-4:49).
3. General stipulations: outlining the broad terms of the treaty (5-11).
4. Detailed instructions: the requirements of the imperial state on its vessel (12-26).
5. Blessings and curses: sanctions and motivations for observing the treaty (27-28).
6. Witnesses (cf. 30:19; 31:19, 28; 32).

Misc:

1. The Gospel in Deuteronomy (ESV Gospel Transformation Bible).
2. The Words Moses Spoke (Dt 1:1-46).