The covenant is now presented to the people. They will not be faithful to it, and this defection is important in the teaching of the New Testament. “These are the words of the covenant which the Lord commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel . . .” (Dt. 29:1-29). The first nine verses …
Because They Did Not Eat the Fat, or Drink the Sweet
The covenant sanctions include fearsome curses. This section is significantly longer than the blessings, but given the situation the warnings are to the point. This section is not so much an argument as it is a painted picture—it contains a good deal of repetition. These are warnings, not proofs. The proof comes in the judgment. …
The Inclusivist Snare
John Stackhouse is a professor of theology and culture at Regent College in Vancouver, BC. He is part of the Christian Vision Project, and he writes in favor of “inclusivism” here. Inclusivism, as he defines it, says that there are many outside the Christian faith who are saved because of their demeanor of faith, without …
Fear of Being Blessed
In this chapter, we come to the covenant sanctions. The first part contains the blessings which follow obedience, the latter portion, four times as long, contains the curses. The terms have been set out, the covenant renewed. What will happen if Israel keeps covenant? What will happen if they do not? “And it shall come …
The Mountains of the Covenant
The exposition of each of the ten commandments has now been concluded. Once the terms are established and made clear, the covenant is made (Dt. 27-30). One of the great features of covenants, the blessings and curses, is now set plainly before the people. The blessings and curses are mountains on either side of the …
Give to Get to Give Again
In the hearts and minds of the faithful, the prohibition of covetousness is grounded in a right relationship of grace, obedience, and blessing. This blessing is of course grace, which leads to grateful obedience, and more blessing. We receive, and we give, in order to receive again, so that we might grow mighty in giving. …
Heart Lusts
The tenth commandment excludes covetousness—of anything. In this portion of Deuteronomy, we see many different ways in which covetousness will work its way out if the command is not heeded. The eighth commandment prohibited stealing. The ninth commandment prohibited “legalized” stealing through false witness. The tenth commandment prohibits “legalized” stealing through false motives. “Thou shalt …
Leprosy and Fraud
The ninth commandment prohibits judicial deceit and corruption, and we now come to the portion of Deuteronomy that treats this commandment. While lying is a way to break the ninth commandment “downstream,” the commandment is actually prohibiting “false witness” or what we would call “false testimony in a judicial setting” against one’s neighbor. We see …
When Remarriage is Theft
The conclusion of Moses’ exposition of the prohibition of theft may strike modern ears somewhat oddly. But understanding the laws in this context brings additional light to the question. “When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath …
Pentecost and American Empire
INTRODUCTION: The giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is thought by many Christians to be the birthday of the Church. But because the Church existed throughout the Old Testament, perhaps it would be better to think of it as the Church’s wedding day, or better yet, as the day of her betrothal. Her wedding …