Deuteronomy means “second law.” In other words, this is a re-telling of some key points in Genesis through Numbers. Deuteronomy is in some ways Moses’ version of all that has taken place and we often find helpful extra bits of information and theology in Deuteronomy. One of the insights Moses offers the Israelites is that God has acted on their behalf in order to reveal Himself to them!
Moses tells the people to remember the laws and remember the events. They should keep these things in their hearts and teach them to their children always. If they do not, they will soon forget and drift away from the Lord. Moses sets these questions before them. “Since the day that God created man...this has ever happened or was ever heard of. Did any people ever hear the voice of a god speaking...and still live? Or has any god...taken a nation for himself from the midst of another nation...?” Then later he adds, “Out of heaven he let you hear his voice...on earth he let you see his great fire...he loved your fathers and chose their offspring...brought you out of Egypt...driving out before you nations greater and mightier.” Wow! An absolutely, phenomenal, miraculous history! What was God up to? Moses says, “To you it was shown, that you might know that the Lord is God; there is no other besides him.”
The same could be asked of us today concerning Christ. Has there ever been a god who left his glory to fulfill God’s demands of righteousness and justice on your behalf? Has there ever been a god to die in your place and then rise again to secure your salvation and hope? What was God up to in Christ? He was showing us his power, grace, and glory that we might know Jesus is Lord; there is no other Savior besides him!
Doesn't it seem as if God has gotten much more personal and close in Deuteronomy?? There is a change in tone, both in tenderness and in the serious rebuke of a loving father, and I'm trying to find verses to explain what I mean. Do you see it?
ReplyDelete1:21 Do not fear or be dismayed (God to Israel at the border of Canaan the first time)
1:27 Because the LORD hated us He has brought us out of the land of Egypt... (when Israel said, "no")
1:31 You have seen how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son (Moses telling Israel that God does NOT hate them)
2:7 He knows your going through this great wilderness...you have lacked nothing. (Moses' reminder and encouragement to move on now)
3:22 You shall not fear them, for it is the LORD your God who fights for you. (Moses to Joshua before the Jordan crossing)
3:26 Enough from you; do not speak to me of this matter again. (God to Moses when Moses asked again to please go into Canaan)
4:7 For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon Him? (Moses encouraging Israel to live by the laws of God)
4:9 Only take care and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget...lest they depart from your heart... (Moses reminding Israel of how the Law was given to them, how valuable it is)
4:10 Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear My words, so that they may learn to fear Me all the days that they live (God calling the people close to Sinai--at the time it was absolutely terrifying!)
4:29-31 But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find Him, if you search after Him with all your heart and with all your soul...for the LORD you God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant... (Moses telling Israel of God's mercy toward repentant Israel in the future)
4:37 And because He loved your fathers and chose their offspring... (because of this Israel should obey His laws)
Had I missed it before this? Had God talked about how much He LOVED these people? Of course He DID love them, but did it say so?? Something is different.
Beyond that, BOY do I have questions. Moses certainly remembers things differently than I read them in the earlier books! "God was angry with me because of YOU, and that's why I don't get to go into the land!" He IS an old man, and we all have tendencies to remember things in ways that make all of OUR choices seem perfectly reasonable, but... I don't get it.