Before relinquishing his position as the visible leader of Israel, Moses was directed to rehearse to them the history of their deliverance from Egypt and their journeyings in the wilderness, and also to recapitulate the law spoken from Sinai. When the law was given, but few of the present congregation were old enough to comprehend the awful solemnity of the occasion. As they were soon to pass over Jordan and take possession of the Promised Land, God would present before them the claims of His law and enjoin upon them obedience as the condition of prosperity.

Inden Moses trak sig tilbage fra sin stilling som Israels synlige leder, fik han befaling til at gentage beretningen om deres udfrielse af Ægypten og deres rejser i ørkenen; desuden skulle han ganske kort gentage loven, der var blevet forkyndt på Sinaj. Ved lovgivningen var de fleste af de nulevende israelitter for små til at forstå alvoren i det, der skete. Nu skulle de snart drage over Jordan og tage det forjættede land i besiddelse. Forinden ville Gud gøre dem bekendt med lovens krav og indskærpe, at lydighed var betingelsen for, at det ville gå dem godt.