The Glory Of God In Salvation Through Judgment In Deuteronomy -- By: James M. Hamilton, Jr.

Journal: Southern Baptist Journal of Theology
Volume: SBJT 18:3 (Fall 2014)
Article: The Glory Of God In Salvation Through Judgment In Deuteronomy
Author: James M. Hamilton, Jr.


The Glory Of God In Salvation Through Judgment In Deuteronomy1

James M. Hamilton, Jr.

James M. Hamilton, Jr. is Professor of Biblical Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he also earned his Ph.D. He is the author of numerous articles and books such as God’s Indwelling Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testaments (B&H, 2006), God’s Glory in Salvation through Judgment (Crossway, 2010), Revelation: The Spirit Speaks to the Churches (Crossway, 2012), What is Biblical Theology? A Guide to the Bible’s Story, Symbolism, and Patterns (Crossway, 2013), With the Clouds of Heaven: The Book of Daniel in Biblical Theology (InterVarsity Press, 2014). Dr. Hamilton also serves as the Preaching Pastor of Kenwood Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky.

The first mention of loving God in the Bible came in Exodus 20:6, which referred to “those who love” Yahweh and keep his commandments. But the idea of loving God is not elaborated upon until Deuteronomy.2 In Leviticus, Israel is urged to obey Yahweh’s commands on the basis of his identity, the assertion “I am Yahweh” often prefacing or following his commands.3 In Numbers, the God who is a consuming fire purges the wickedness of his people in the wilderness. In Deuteronomy, Moses prepares the people to enter the land.4

The first three chapters of Deuteronomy review Israel’s history from Sinai to the plains of Moab. Deuteronomy 4-11 then seeks to motivate Israel to keep the law. Chapters 12-28 set forth the stipulations of the covenant, and in chapters 29-34 Moses gives his last will and testament.5 As Peter Vogt writes, “At the heart of the Deuteronomic world view is the supremacy of Yahweh. One of the primary goals of the book is to inculcate a sense of total loyalty to him.”6

From Sinai To Moab

Forty years have passed since the exodus from Egypt (Deut 1:3). Deuteronomy describes its own contents as Moses’ attempt to explain the Torah (1:5).7 It is important to recognize that the ...

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