32: RUN THAT PAST ME AGAIN
Based on the book Deuteronomy (DT)...Read more there.

Deuteronomy might be called 'another way of looking at' many of the same issues we've seen in the earlier 'Mosaic' books of the Law (GN, EX, LV, NB). It serves as a reminder, a revision of what has gone before. Like so much in the first four 'books of Moses', or 'the Law', as those of the Hebrew faith know it, DT is a compilation from a date much later than the original events. One scholar suggests a main concern is how to make older teachings about cultic (religious) & legal traditions relevant to new generations by those whose responsibility it is to teach & preach them in later days (N1). Is nothing new?! As we work our way through DT it will help if we keep those 'another look at former things' way of looking at it & the recapitulation angle both in mind.

The Hebrews move on from Horeb (Sinai) & approach the Promised Land via scuffles & fights with rival clans. In Chs.5-11 we find pep-talks by Moses including a 're-broadcast' of the Commandments & why the people should keep them. The reason is neatly summarised at Ch.7:6. Moses goes on to promise the people that YHWH will raise up a Prophet like himself [Ch.18:15]. Is he pointing to Joshua, his successor, or Someone Else? (N2).  From half way through Ch.23 till early in Ch. 25 we find a collection of laws more compassionate than we might expect from so long ago & dealing with various situations. Most of us would happily give an 'Amen' to many of them today. Ch. 26 reminds the people - & us, too - of our need to be grateful to YHWH God & to show our gratitude in generosity. Moses, drawing near to the end of his life now, reviews the people's Exodus from Egypt & the covenant God has made with them before the assembled people in Ch. 29. Then in Ch.30:11+ Moses tells the people: a) what they have been commanded to do is not beyond their ability to obey; b) the Word (of God) is very near them (N3); & c) they should choose life rather than death. If we don't read anything else in DT, let's 'hear, read, mark, & inwardly digest' this bit! (N4)

Moses knows he will not live to cross the Jordan into the Promised Land & prepares for the hand-over to Joshua. In Ch.31:14-15 God sets His seal on this with the appearance once more of the Cloud at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Then Moses, or someone else later launches into a long song or psalm celebrating the power & faithfulness of God (Ch. 32) before giving a formal blessing to each of the tribes (Ch. 33). From the top of Mt. Nebo, opposite Jericho, YHWH shows Moses the Promised Land he will not enter (Ch.34) The book then ends solemnly & rather poignantly with: 'Moses, servant of YHWH died as YHWH had decreed; they buried him in the valley, in the country of Moab, opposite Beth-Peor, but to this day no-one has ever found his grave....' (NJB) And the story continues: 33: Joshua Not Only Fit The Battle Of Jericho..!

(N1) von Rad, Deuteronomy, SCM Press, London, 1979 edn. p. 23. (N2) Christians usually take this to be a prophecy of the coming of Jesus as Messiah. See AC3:17-23 (Peter) & AC7:37 (Stephen). (N3) The 'Word' in the sense of the Creative Principle of the Universe will later become a major theme in both Older & Newer Testaments as it does in some other traditions. A 'Wisdom literature' develops. Some Christian churches see Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, & Song of Songs as 'Wisdom' literature; others add Wisdom & Ecclesiasticus from the Apocrypha, too. Notably, John the Evangelist opens his Gospel with, 'In the beginning was the Word....'  (N4) From the Collect for Advent 2 in the 1662 English Prayer Book.

Question: Do we have the wisdom to recognize Wisdom when faced with 'It'?