The last book of the Torah is a compilation of materials, much which has been already told in the other books of the Pentateuch. Many scholars believe that the rediscovery of the law in Josiah's reform was really a discovery of the scroll of Deuteronomy. has a lot of material that you have seen in the other books of the Pentateuch. The first passage follows directly after the Deuteronomy 5 rendition of the ten commandments. Every nation has its series of ideal images that carry them forward in struggling times (e.g. "from sea to shing sea" during the 19th century conflicts with Mexico). The one for Israel is that they "were bound for the promised land which was flowing with milk and honey(Deut. 6:3)." Verse 4 is the shema, the opening phrase in each temple worship service. It is a commitment to monotheism (the belief in one God over against the polytheistic nations around them).
Actually, the journey to a belief in only one God was gradually learned, even within the Old Testament. The earliest parts of Genesis ("Let us...," "Elohim") point to a belief in more than one God. Then David in the Psalms shows a different development, henotheism - a belief that our God is better than other gods. Eventually, the assertion is that all other gods are imposters and there is only one (a development from the prophets). The biggest threat for the Israelites as they got ready to enter the promised land was not that they would totally abandon their Jewish faith, but rather they would combine it with the faiths around them. Chapter 6 also raises the original sin inside affluence, that we start to think that we built it all by our own knowledge, ingenuity and strength.
Chapter 7 commands the children of Israel to drive out the nations from the lands they occupy. They are to be on the offensive and courageous, lest they become compromised. Chapter 8 gives the root of why Israel falls, her forgetfulness. They get busy and distracted and forget the LORD. That's why the Old Testament is so strong in rehearsing Israel's history and what it means (the Exodus, the 40 years of wandering). We do the same with "the Lord's Supper." As canned as the liturgy may seem, it is meant to root us deeper as we face the different challenges of our lives. The liturgy doesn't change, but we do and that's why it speaks differently.
Chapters 9-11 remind them that they are becoming a great nation because God has chosen them and blessed them without any merit on their part. They remember the good things but they also remember their failings ("the golden calf" and the remaking of the ten commandments,the murmurings. They are to fear the Lord (both to be frightened of his power and give reverence because he is holy and just), which shows in both our devotion (love as faith-full actions) and obedience.
Chapter 12 commands that they protect the integrity of their worship. The surrounding nations built their altars on the hills and in the mountains, called "high places." Some kings of Israel did follow this command and destroyed the high places, while other kings either ignored them or they themselves worshiped there. Verse 5 talks of the dream of having a temple in which to worship. Nathan Timmons and I had a discussion today about the stages of development in faith movements. Almost all of them start out in the "tabernacle" stage as a movement that meets in temporary headquarters ("the Village Theater." a 34th street store front for offices and some classes; a middle school, "the purple palace," an 82nd street storefront) and finally dreams and builds permanent facilities - "temple stage." The hazard for every church emerges when it hits "temple" stage. The great majority of new churches peak in their 6-10 years. Temple stage is usually accompanied by institutionalization which assures longer tenure but also can mean more attention, energy and funds are paid to maintenance than mission. This seems to be the original sin of churches as they develop. How are we like that? Is such a hazard now a possibility for us at the southwest?
Chapters 32-34 are the finale of Moses' life. I like the fact that it ends with a song by Moses. The last song of Moses is found in Exodus 15 following the Exodus. Psalm 90 is also known as a song of Moses. Sister Miriam also sang. They must have been a musical family. Moses dies on Mount Nebo, overlooking the promised land, but due to his sin in Numbers 20 he does not get to go in. The spirit of leadership is passed from Moses to Joshua. Chapter 34 closes with a tribute to Moses and his incredible leadership in the building of a great nation.
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