Book of the Covenant
Jesus loved the book of Deuteronomy. The gospels record 44 direct quotes from Deuteronomy and 16 additional references. There is good reason Jesus referenced this book more than any other in Torah. Deuteronomy is the summation of God’s covenant with Abraham’s descendants. The Law which Jesus came to fulfill is stated perfectly within its scroll.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks explains that the ancients employed a set structure for their covenants. Two parties, usually the heads of tribes or nations, would relate the history which had led them to covenant with one another. Then the terms of the covenant would be spelled out in detail. Finally, the document would end with a series of blessings and curses - blessings for those who kept the covenant and curses for those who betrayed it. Deuteronomy follows this pattern perfectly.
Understanding this structure explains why Moses would feel compelled to would feel compelled to write a fifth book which covers material reported in the three previous scrolls. Moses had not forgotten. Deuteronomy is not redundant. Rather, it is a legal record of sorts, capable of standing on its own. And what a glorious covenant this is! God binds Himself to a people by sharing with them His own wisdom and inviting them into His righteousness.
On Sunday, September 1, the readings at Mass began with these words from Deuteronomy 4, the first lines of the covenant section:
“And now, O Israel, give heed to the statutes and the ordinances which I teach you, and do them; that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, gives you. You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it; that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.
Keep them and do them; for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? And what great nation is there, that has statutes and ordinances so righteous as all this law which I set before you this day?”
The reading left me wondering how we Gentile Christians view the Law? Do we understand the glory of the inheritance we have received by our grafting into Israel? I am not suggesting that all the details of the covenant - circumcision, dietary laws, burnt offerings and such - apply to us. The early apostles, led by the Holy Spirit, determined that was not the case. And in fact, Jews cannot keep the full law themselves because of the destruction of the Temple. Nevertheless, for both Jew and Gentile Christian, the Law is full of truth and wisdom.
Do we understand how privileged we are to know what pleases God? Do we consider it our glory to care for widows and orphans? Do we truly believe that keeping just scales and defending the rights of the alien makes us a great nation? Do we believe the God is looking at where we set boundary stones? Do we believe He sees when we stand up before the elderly? Do we know that He is listening to what we say about the deaf? Do we believe that nations will take notice when we walk in the righteousness Jesus taught us?
Reading this section of the covenant, I understand better what Jesus meant when He said He came to fulfill the Law, not to abolish it. Jesus is righteous! He lived, and lives, in the fulness of the Father’s wisdom. He loves the Father with all his heart and mind and soul; and He loves us, His neighbors, as He loves Himself. Living like Jesus, in the wisdom of covenant, is indeed our glory! And God is truly near to those who walk in His ways.