Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 68:2 (Fall 2006)
Article: Deuteronomy 30:11-14 As A Prophecy Of The New Covenant In Christ
Author: Steven R. Coxhead

WTJ 68:2 (Fall 2006) p. 305

Deuteronomy 30:11-14
As A Prophecy Of The New Covenant In Christ

Steven R. Coxhead

Steven Coxhead is a Part-time Lecturer at the Presbyterian Theological Centre and Visiting Lecturer in Hebrew at the Sydney Missionary and Bible College in New South Wales, Australia.

Deuteronomy 30 is arguably the climax of the magnificent sermon of Moses that makes up the large majority of the book of Deuteronomy. There is a question, however, of how vv. 11–14 are to be interpreted within this noteworthy chapter. A quick survey of the way that the various versions of the Bible commonly translate these verses shows that the assumption is that Moses shifts in v. 11 from prophesying of the future (which is what he is doing in vv. 1–10) to exhortation in the present for covenant obedience on the part of Israel. But is this the case? This article will argue for an interpretation of Deut 30:11–14 that sees these verses as forming an integral part of the grand restoration prophecy of vv. 1–10 that immediately precedes the passage in question. Furthermore, it will be argued below that this interpretation of Deut 30:11–14 is confirmed by Paul’s use of this part of Scripture in Rom 10:6–8.

I. Viewing Deuteronomy 30:11-14 as a Prophecy of the New Covenant

John Sailhamer in his work on the Pentateuch has suggested that Deut 30:11–14 should be taken as conjoint with the new covenant prophecy of Deut 30:1–10 and that Deut 30:11–14 explains the nature of the new covenant by comparing it with the Sinaitic covenant.1 Sailhamer notes that it is only in Deut 30:15 that “the perspective and focus on Moses’ words” changes from “the future time after the captivity” to the present.2 Wayne Strickland has also suggested that Deut 30:11–14 be read in this way.3 Douglas Moo calls the interpretation that takes Deut 30:11–14 as prophetic of the future “an attractive alternative” to the majority position but then rejects th...