Today's reading was fairly clear and simple. I think it boils down to two simple theses. One: You are a rebellious and sinful people. Do not forget the LORD, who loved you enough to bring you out of condemnation.Two: "[F]ear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees..." (Deut. 10:12-13, emphasis added).
Moses reminded people of all of their wickedness and how stiff-necked they were to the LORD (Deut. 9:5-6, 13). Stiff-necked like a stubborn and ornery donkey, Israel would not listen to the LORD for long, instead turning to wickedness, sin, and apathy. He reminded them of the golden calf incident after having just received the Ten Commandments, and how he had to rid the sin from the people and go back up to God for the second tablets.
I can almost hear him plea as he implors the people to turn from their wickedness and to simply love God. The whole thesis to this is found in Deuteronomy 10:12-13. It seems like this passage also contains an almost all encompassing life statement. What I mean is that, one could use this as a "mission statement" for their life as a follower of Christ. Now, before I tell you what it is, remember how we have discussed the issue of the fear of the LORD. This is not simply reverence. This is Moses falling prostrate, terrified that the fire will consume him. This is the fear struck into the hearts of people as they watched the godless get swallowed by the earth. This is a fear that renders us as good as dead before God so that we realize that that is the truth. We are as good as dead before God, were it not for God's love. Because of the LORD's love, His power surrounds and envelopes us, protecting us and drawing us into His love.
Here is the passage in Deuteronomy 10:12-13: ... what does the LORD ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observethe LORD's commands and decrees that I (Moses) am giving you today for your own good?" (Brackets added by me). Highlight that in your bible. I know I did.
Many of you who know me, know that I work at an agency in the city which advocates and serves a portion of Winnipeg which is typically composed of those who are disenfranchised, poor, women, not White, abused, neglected, suicidal, and/or destitute. In other words, the agency's clientele tend to be those who are not advantaged in the system we have set up in the West, which favours rich White men. I love this passage in Scripture, and I have highlighted it, because it will remind me that God is a God of "the least of these". In Deuteronomy 10:18-20, it says, "He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt." Everything we have is a blessing beyond our control. Therefore those in advantages positions in society had a lot of benefits to begin with, typically. The rich man usually never comes from rags, despite what we may want to believe. The rich man usually comes from linens and silver spoons. It is only by chance he was born into a particularly advantaged situation.
It is like God is saying to these people (the rich and blessed) to show the same mercy and grace God showed them. Love the least of those around you. For when we do, we love God, and whenever we turn a blind eye or scorn those widows, the poor, the destitute, the disadvantaged members of the system, we do so to God, just as Christ said (Matt. 25:31-46). God is a God of the least of these. He is found in the pregnant inner city woman, the immigrant worker, the sexually abused child, and the widow struggling to cope with financial and emotional pressures. How we treat and love them and (equally as important) what we fail to do for them matters to God.
The greatest commandment is found in Deuteronomy 11:13, "... to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul" which is similar to what Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-40 when he was asked what the greatest commandment was, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Cool.
Interesting and meaningful read today. Lord, please let it penetrate my heart. I love you, and I desperately need you.
1688 pages to go!
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