Commuter Bible

When it comes to rebuking pride and selfish ambition, James doesn’t pull any punches, calling man’s tongue a “restless evil, full of deadly poison,” and pointing to self-centered passions as the cause for conflict amongst brothers. He chastises the rich who withhold wages from the poor and calls out businessmen who plan presumptuously. Finally, he calls the church to humility, encouraging them to trust in the Lord.

After spending some time writing to the church concerning trials and temptations, James writes to the church about the role of works in the believer’s life, citing specific works such as caring for orphans & widows in their distress and avoiding favoritism. Just as Jesus said you would know a tree by its fruit, James says that you will see someone’s faith by his works. It is not one’s work that earns him salvation, rather, good works are the evidence that one is a true disciple. Faith without works is a dead faith.

In our final reading of the book of Deuteronomy, the Lord tells Moses that Israel will indeed rebel against Him after Moses dies. The song of Moses recorded here prophesies the coming wrath of God for Israel’s rebellion, focusing on God’s power over the worthless idols that Israel has turned to worship. After this warning Moses pronounces blessings on each tribe of Israel, and then dies in the land of Moab.

In our reading today, Moses outlines the curse that will fall upon Israel if they fail to keep the covenant of the Lord. Keep in mind that the covenant and the statutes include the prescribed ways that Israel can repent of sin and execute justice. To reject the statutes and ordinances is to reject a good God and His ways. Israel will serve as a witness to a watching world. If they obey God, the nations will see God’s kindness and provision. If they reject God, the nations will witness the devastation and ruin of those who turn from His goodness and grace.

Some laws in today’s reading may seem strange to our modern-day ears, like the brother-in-law who is called to marry the widow without sons, for example, but even this was a means of providing for those less fortunate. A widow would have few ways of earning income in that day, and this law kept widows from becoming destitute. Honest measures kept transactions fair, impoverished brothers were not to be left without basic necessities, and crops were loosely harvested so that others might benefit from their neighbor’s generosity.

Our reading today contains some statutes that seem harsh, some that seem odd, and others that are easily understood and incorporated to daily interactions today. A few things to remember: first, the covenant with Israel was one in which the entire community had to remain holy because the Lord is holy and lived among them; sometimes this means being set apart in daily routines as a reminder to the user that they are to be distinct among the nations. Second, the Lord hates injustice, which is why he sent His Son in our place, so that justice could be executed on Jesus. Third, nobody likes a mooch, man! Go home and eat your own grapes!

Moses continues to speak to the Israelites before he is gathered to his people in death, reminding this new generation about the laws and statutes that have been put in place. Many of the structures given here for a system of justice continue to provide a template for our judicial systems in the west today. Concepts such as the testimony of multiple witnesses, a hierarchy of courts, and varying degrees of manslaughter. We also see a foreshadow of Christ in today’s passage, the prophet raised from among Israel’s brothers who will tell them everything God commands Him.

There is a beautiful picture on display in the act of bringing a tenth of your produce to the Lord as an offering. The instructions given to Israel are that they should bring the tenth to where the Lord resides and have a feast in the presence of God. So get this: God provides all the food as a gift, the Israelite brings some of it back to supply the party, and then in a way the Israelite and God feast together at the same table. Who would turn aside from this God? I imagine only those who want to use God to meet their own ends.

As Moses continues his final words to the nation of Israel, he warns them against self-righteousness, asking them to remember that the land they are entering has been given to them, not because of their righteousness, but because of the wickedness of the nations they are entering. When they become satisfied with the good of the land, they are not forget to worship God, love Him, and keep his commands. If they turn from the Lord, they will receive a curse from Him, rather than a blessing.

You can hear a sense of desperation and heartfelt pleading as we read the words of Moses today, as continues to urge a new generation to trust the Lord and obey His statutes so that they might flourish. He reminds them of the Ten Commandments and the covenant Israel made with God. If you’re acquainted with the New Testament, there are sure to be some passages you’ll recognize from today’s reading as they are quoted later by Jesus and the apostles.