In Deuteronomy, as in Exodus, the writer gives us a lot of preliminary material before he gets to the actual “rules and regulations” of the law. Please read through the Deuteronomy study questions, then read carefully the first six Chapters of Deuteronomy. I'd like you also look through the various "statute" laws of the chapters 7-15, but you don't need to read that material quite so carefully.What is there in this preliminary material (Chapters 1-6) you find particularly, interesting, important, or worth discussing in class? In what way does this material show Deuteronomy to be a particularly fine law code or something more than just a law code?
In the description of the law in Deuteronomy, there's so much difference between our modern law and other law codes of and before Moses's time. While other laws might ask for even a significant amount of respect, God demands complete reverence for His law and for Him as the author of that law and their salvation. Deuteronomy 6: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." Deuteronomy 6:7 and 4:9 both command the Israelites to teach the Lord's commands to their children, on and on, so that the law remains. Like I said before, this law was meant to be perfect and eternal because that is the nature of the One who created it and us. This isn't just a law for the sake of numbered rules. Rather it is the way to be right with the one true God, who brought the Israelites out of captivity.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, I think there's really something to be said to the fact that God keeps fighting for the Israelites even after they routinely disobey His commands. Moses tells his people to "not be in dread" or afraid of their human enemies, because "the Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes" (Deuteronomy 1:29-30). The law is put in place to keep the Israelites holy and under God's rightful reign. But there's abounding mercy within His law, not found in other law codes, that simultaneously brings it to a higher level of holiness as well as a human level.
In the first chapter of Deuteronomy one thing I found interesting was how Moses knew he needed to delegate authority through various leaders and judges this is something that I believe still applies today. While reading Chapter 2 I connected Moab from the bible to Moab the mountain biking Mecca in Utah. In Chapter 3 I observed how they divided the lands and how it would be a good policy in a good law code. In Chapter 4 there was a really good quote that should go into law code because it would leave no room for slanting things to fit your agenda. Deuteronomy 4:2 "Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you." The principle of this quote is do as I say and nothing else this is a really good base for law codes to follow. Later on in Chapter 4 the Ten Commandments are briefly talked about and that is another policy that should be for the most part be implemented into every law code. I think holistically the ten commandments are a life code rather than a law code. In chapter 6:18 the bible says "Do what is right and good in the LORD’s sight, so that it may go well with you". This is another example of a very good idea to implement in a law code. In Chapter 10 one thing that is critical for keeping a law code consistent is multiple copies and they do that in this chapter. In Chapter 12 Deuteronomy is shown to be more than a law code with implementing one place of worship for everyone. It is the saying a country that prays together stays together.
ReplyDeleteTrent Shuey
DeleteI find it interesting how it in Deuteronomy 4:2 it says "You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I commanded you." This is real point of contention in the New Testament that Christ addresses frequently because the Pharisees have added a lot of extra rules to the Torah in his day. This shows the Torah as being a fine law code because Moses is trying to keep the integrity of the text so it's intent can't be twisted and will be easier to transmit to future generations. He also includes in here that this is so they will be able to follow the commands because who can follow what they don't know or understand. This chapter also includes that the Lord alone is God to unite the people under one God and unite what constitutes God's views that separates him from pagan Gods. He also reminds to forget what they experienced and saw Egypt and to be careful to keep them in their heart and pass it down to their children. This shows the Torah as being more than just a fine law code because it also includes a moral injunction on it's hearers to not forget it's stories that capture the spirit of the law as well.
ReplyDeleteIn Ch. 1-6, what I find so interesting is the immense reiteration of what happened from the time the Israelites were let out of slavery from Egypt until the time they were about to enter into the land of Canaan.
ReplyDeleteJust as I began a new chapter, I would find myself thinking that a reader would easily assume that this chapter would be the one where they start to cross the Jordan, but then it would refer back to stories of the Exodus and then their time wandering the desert. I appreciated this part because it tells you just how important God knows it is for us/them to remember Him and all that He has done, and I thought about how often I may forget about the Lord.
The material of Deuteronomy makes it a fine law code because each law is accompanied by reason and logic. Each law is brought out multiple times and it tells you that there is meaning behind it, they’re not just made up, they are of a divine lawgiver.
Dylan Schimke -
ReplyDeleteChapter 2 and 3 were the most interesting to me. God was telling the Israelites to be patient and to not fight other groups of people for land, because he had a plan. The plan came to light when the Heshbons did not allow them to pass through and attacked them. After God gave victory to the Israelites, the Bashans attacked them as well, which God also gave victory to the Israelites once again. I think these stuck out to me because the Israelites were defeated when God told them not to attack the Amorites. I think these could be taken as an example to trust God and not do anything rash. After the defeat against the Amorites, God cursed that current generation and they were unable to get any lands promised before they disobeyed the Lord, so the lesson is to trust God and follow his laws.
The most interesting part to me was the laws themselves, especially when it was discussing debts and how one should treat the poor. Nowadays, people have been brainwashed into thinking the poor simply aren't working hard enough to dig themselves out of the hole they're in.
ReplyDeleteMore often than not, they're just really down on their luck.
The bible states that people should be kind and to help the poor, a kindness that extends to debts and the like by having them forgiven every 7 years.
It's a truly interesting thing to see, especially given how I have seen Christians in the modern day go directly against these law codes.
I found it interesting how there is a lot repetition of idolatry and worshiping other gods. In chapter 4, the Israelites are reminded of how they created a Golden Calf while they were at Horeb and in doing so they broke the Lord's commandment. The Israelites are also told that when they move into the land the Lord set aside for them, that they are to completely destroy the idols and gods of the people who dwelt in the land before them. Continuously God instructs the people not to worship idols or other gods. In Exodus God states that he is a jealous God, and that definitely seems to be the case. I feel like this repetition is needed though in order to get the message across. It’s like having to tell a little kid something. You have to tell them the same thing multiple times because 1) they might not have been listening the first time and 2) it really emphasizes the importance of whatever it is they aren't supposed to do. This is clearly a religious law but I feel like it also serves as a reminder to the Israelites that they shouldn't let other things come in the way of the Lord. What I mean is you shouldn't let something else take up so much of your time and energy that you put it first instead of God. In that way I think this could also be advise on how to live your life.
ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting to look at the struggles of Moses as he is leading the people of Israel. If you put yourself in his shoes, then one can only imagine how difficult and frustrating it was. One specific part that I found interesting was when he mentioned to the people as he was speaking to them that God was angry at him because of the people. It may have been the way my Bible worded it, but it sounded like Moses was putting all the blame on the people and not himself. Why would God punish Moses (by not letting him enter the land) because of how the people were acting? An intriguing discussion topic!
ReplyDeleteLauren Bland
In the New Testament, Jesus quotes Moses in chapter six verse five saying that the greatest commandment was, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." If you've studied history for any length of time, you know the importance of a good summary. The entire law code of the Old Testament can be summarized in that one verse. This is indicative of a good law code. Without knowing all of the minutia in the law, you know what the intent of it is. It's all supposed to point towards God. You're supposed to care for the poor, the sick, the weak, the young. If something feels like it's not glorifying God, you're most likely doing something wrong. So without knowing the specifics of the law, you are more than capable of following it.
ReplyDeleteWalker Larson
I believe the main verse in these chapters is Deuteronomy 6:5. However, as often as it is quoted and as Jesus say sums of the whole law it really is difficult to comprehend. In simple terms it is to love God with all of ones self. How is that even possible? It seems to be quite large claim for an Israelite people who can barely follow a single commandment. Although I believe it gives us something to strive for and continue to fix our eyes on God in whatever we are doing.
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DeleteAndrew brennan
I think that chapter 4: 1-8 of Deuteronomy is very important to discuss in relation to Ancient Israel. In these verses, Moses urges the people of Israel to listen to the rules and guidelines that God has put into place so that they may one day join the Lord in his land. I think that verse two, when Moses says not to change the rules that God has given them, is important because these are the rules that Israel lived by for years. These verses highlight the wisdom of God which rises above the wisdom of man and sets Israel apart from other nations.
ReplyDeleteJorja Whempner
One thing I found very interesting was the journey of Moses. His journey was to lead them all to the promised land. The journey started at Mount Sinai. The emphasis focused on god's law code. The focus was to follow and praise God. That maybe one day it would inspire future generations. After their years of wandering God rewarded them the promise land.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that I found most interesting was Moses never stopped trying to get the people of Israel to follow God's laws. He stressed the importance of God's laws to the people. He reminds Israel what happens when you don't listen and obey god. Not only does Deuteronomy talk about the laws but the people of Israel are shown and told about consequences of not following God's laws.
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