Immerse: Beginnings Full Volume - Flipbook - Page 284
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IMMERSE
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BEGINNINGS
Next comes a description of what the High King has done for his
subjects. Deuteronomy emphasizes what the Lord has done for Israel,
concentrating on God’s provision and protection during the nation’s
wilderness journey.
The next part of the treaty makes a demand for exclusive allegiance.
Moses explains how the Israelites are to live out their exclusive allegiance by welcoming each new generation into the covenant. Also,
they are to protect their relationship with God in their new land by
completely shunning the worship of foreign gods.
Deuteronomy next describes the High King’s other expectations.
An extensive body of law regarding offerings and festivals, community
leaders, safeguards of justice, warfare, sexual relations, and much more
shows that loyalty to God is to be expressed in every aspect of life.
This is followed by a list of blessings for keeping the treaty and a list
of curses for breaking it. As we will see in the story that follows Deuteronomy, the consequences flowing from the treaty will determine
Israel’s future.
Finally, the treaty is witnessed and copies are safeguarded. The
“entire body of instruction” in Deuteronomy is written in a book and
given for safekeeping to “the priests who carried the Ark of the Lord’s
Covenant.” And as Moses names the treaty’s witnesses he also pulls
together its main themes: “Today I have given you the choice between
life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and
earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life,
so that you and your descendants might live!”
