The chapters we read this past week continue to restate the code of conduct for Israel. I was particularly struck by chapter 26. The chapter starts, “When you have entered the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance and have taken possession of it and settled in it, take some of the firstfruits of all that you produce from the soil of the land the Lord your God is giving you and put them in a basket” (26:1-2a). The following verses contain a description of the ceremony in which the people presented back to the Lord a sacred portion from all they had produced. The ceremony included a prayer of remembrance for what the Lord had done for His people. The giving of the firstfruits, the tithe, was an act of obedience that demonstrated remembering the Lord’s provision and deliverance. That act of obedience was to include reverence and gratitude.
At this point in the Book of Deuteronomy, I remember that this is God’s covenant with his people. God made the covenant because of His love for His people. I think of it as a love letter to God’s people meant for their benefit. The prayer of remembrance includes, “Then we cried out to the Lord, the God of our fathers, and the Lord heard our voice and saw our misery, toil and oppression. So the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders” (Deut. 26:7-8). God’s mercy and unmerited favor was poured out because of His love. As the Lord continues to guide their journey into freedom and favor, there are rules of conduct to be remember.
The Old Testament covenant between God and his people was similar in structure to the ancient treaties of the time in the Near East. The people were already familiar with the format of treaties. In simplified form, the similar elements to the treaty format are:
-- Historic Prologue (Deut. chapters 1-3): an introduction providing important information for what was to follow in the covenant
-- Stipulations (Deut. chapters 4-26): formal conditions to be followed
-- Document Clause (Deut. chapter 27): a distinct section outlining specific conditions in more detail and was meant to make directions very clear and leave no doubt
-- Blessings and Curses (Deut. chapter 28): benefits and consequences related to obedience.
In chapter 27 verse 1 we read: Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: “Keep all these commands that I give you today.” The chapter continues with specific instructions on recording and displaying the code of conduct. God is gracious in repeating the directions more than once. There is plenty of opportunity to grasp the assignment. Blessings and curses are included because a covenant relationship involves responsibility along with privilege. God looks for our obedience, but let’s not forget that obedience should arise out of loving the Lord our God with all of our heart and with all of our soul and with all of our strength.
