Dear APUMC Family,
A good discussion arose in the Thursday morning Bible Study today. This group is now reading Deuteronomy together, with appreciation for the way that Moses is telling and retelling the events of God’s faithfulness to the Israelites. His task is to prepare the people for their next chapter and to remind them that the good they are about to enjoy is not of their own making.
In every new beginning, there is still hard work to be done. The Israelites needed guidance as they entered the promised land. It was not enough to be able to recite the rules of community engagement; they had to be able to interpret and apply them with justice. This is a dynamic responsibility–certainly more than Moses can handle on his own.
In first chapter, we are given insight into the kind of justice that is appropriate to the covenant.
You shall not be partial in judgement. You shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not intimidated by anyone, for the judgment is God’s (Dt. 1:17).
In our reading, we notice that the laws to follow in Deuteronomy devote great attention to the “small,” to the politically powerless and the economically vulnerable, in order that they can be regarded as full, first class members of the community.
I think about this as I am on my way to the Joseph Project this morning to distribute food resources to our neighbors. I’ll be thinking about this at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Adoption Rocks office later this afternoon. I’ll be thinking about it again as we celebrate the gift of new life in worship this Sunday through the Blessing of the Babies here at Ashland Place UMC. I be thinking about it still as we begin our new confirmation class this Sunday at 5:00.
This week, let me encourage you to join those early Israelites in reflecting on the many ways in which our society gives priority to the “great” against the “small.” Consider how this distortion of true community shows up in our own land , in all kinds of public and private interests.
Moses’s vision is that matters of justice dictate neighborly policy and practice. He also knows that the fulfillment of the promise does not happen overnight, but requires much discipline, devotion, and steady participation.
Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children…so that they may learn… (Dt. 4:9-10).
There is a Word there that speaks to me!
Take care… make known…so that they may learn…
Yours,
Darren