Deuteronomy 13-31: Tough laws, tough consequences, and a tender leader.

Congratulations for making it through the first five books of the Torah so far! And remember, if you have not been following the Read Scripture program meticulously since January, don't worry about it - just start where we are this coming week. Our focus is on progressing through the Bible this year and not being unduly pressured to be perfect in the reading schedule. The key is progress, not perfection!

As we cap off the reading the of the first five books from Genesis to Deuteronomy, I plan to organize an online "fireside chat" event with Pastor John Sittema to discuss on a few possible topics. However, we would like this to be an audience-driven event i.e. we will only organize if there is a demand for it. The demand will be measured by the number of questions we receive arising from your reading schedule thus far (from the Genesis to Deuteronomy). As long as your questions are linked to these books, you can fire away from any angle! 

Click here to submit your questions - especially questions from your children (appreciate if you could do it latest by March 15). We look forward to receiving your responses.

Connect the dots
As you read through Deuteronomy chapters 13-31 this week, you will notice numerous occasions where the death penalty is called for. Eg, for false prophets (13:5), false god worshippers (17:5), harlotry (22:21) stubborn and rebellious children! (21:20-21). Does this mean that capital punishment is a rampant feature of the Mosaic law, demonstrating just how archaic and brutal the Old Testament laws are? 

Knowing that premeditated murder was the only crime for which capital punishment was always required helps us better understand the Mosaic law (Num 35:9-34). Aside from capital murder, it seems death was the maximum sentence when it was prescribed in the law, not necessarily the required one. Judges were to weigh the circumstances of each offense and consider the offender’s hard-heartedness before wisely applying the standards of the Mosaic law.
Ref: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/capital-crimes-and-punishment/

On another note, let's observe Deuteronomy chapter 28 carefully to connect a few dots: 

• It is the fourth longest chapter in the Bible - so obviously, it has a lot to say.
• Although there are equal number of proclamation of blessings and curses (six each), yet out of the 68 verses of chapter 28, only verses 1-13 covers the blessings, the rest of verses 14-68 covers the curses and the consequences of disobedience. Close to 81% of the chapter focuses on cursing and its consequences rather than the blessings and its ensuing benefits!
• Deut 28:49-57 reads awfully familiar to the writings of Lamentations when Jerusalem fell to the Babylonian siege several hundred years later.
• Think about it - why does Moses spend a disproportionate amount of his farewell discourse on the negative rather than leaving a positive, "team-building", motivational message? (In fact, the prior chapter 27 has an additional listing of 12 curses).

After all is said and done, what did God ask Moses to do? Turn the teachings into a song (Deut 31:19,22,30)! Personally, I would love to hear Moses sing his teachings - that would be so cool. It might not make it to the billboard charts but I am sure it will make an impression. We will discuss more about Moses' song next week.  

Activity idea
Instead of just teaching the commandments of Scripture to your children, try highlighting the associated consequences of breaking the commandments. As my children were growing up, I recall sharing regular news items (an article, a picture or a brief video chip) with examples of what happens when biblical commands are disregarded. Of course, these activities need to be age-appropriate. Wisdom is the ability to be able to connect the dots of commandments and consequences, sowing and reaping. This is the essence of training for wisdom, being ready for life.

Christ in Scripture

In the midst of warning the Israelites about the detestable practices in the land of Canaan, Yahweh promised that He will raise up a prophet who will continue to proclaim Yahweh's words like Moses (Deut 18:15-18). But what does that mean - to be a prophet like Moses?

Note the editorial comment in Deut 34:10-12, "Since then no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, for all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, all his servants, and all his land, and for all the mighty power and for all the great terror that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel."

This Mosaic expectation of a coming Prophet includes Moses' role as deliverer (Exod 3:7-10), covenant mediator (Exod 34:27), priest (Ps 99:6), and ruler (Exod 2:13-14, Acts 7:27). In fact, John the Baptist was asked - "Are you the Prophet?" (John 1:21). John replied - "It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie." (John 1:27). John was pointing to Jesus Christ.

As the Prophet, Jesus calls us to follow Him from death to life, just as Israel followed Moses through the Red Sea and was baptized into His name (1 Cor. 10:2). And yet he’s greater than Moses. He is the Way (as the King who rules), the Truth (as the Prophet who proclaims), and the Life (as the Priest who mediates) - John 14:6. Truly, there is no king, prophet, and priest like him. He is worthy!

We welcome your comments, feedback and questions - please post them in the comments below.