Deuteronomy: The Second Law

Looking out at the Dead Sea

When we were children, our parents often had to give us the "law" more than once, especially as a consequence or a punishment.  We may have wondered at the time why they were repeating the rules that we already claimed to know, and we may have rolled our eyes in annoyance as they meted out our punishment and reminded us of past offenses. Similarly, throughout Salvation history, we children of God have failed time and again to follow God's commandments. We sin knowingly, and  our conscience disturbs us until the Sacrament of Reconciliation restores our relationship with God. Like the loving parent, he welcomes us back to his loving embrace, but there are always consequences which we must face.  Atonement must be made.  The rules for remaining in God's favor are the same commandments given to  Israel.  To gain our promised land, we must obey them.  Too often we fail and we must be restored to grace.

This is the essence of the Book of Deuteronomy.  God's chosen people had been wandering in the desert for forty years, and they were on the verge of entering into the promised land, but time and again they had sinned.  They had rebelled. They had turned against Moses and God.  They suffered consequences. They turned back to God and were forgiven. But there was a price. The older generation would not get to enter the promised land.  In fact, not even Moses would enter the Promised Land.  Only their children would enter, if they learned their history. If they lived by the commandments.  If they acknowledged the One true God.

Deuteronomy is divided into three parts.  In Part One, Moses recounts the story of Exodus, recalling point by point to them all that they had been through and all they had done and ending by exhorting them to be grateful for all that God had done. Doesn't this sound like a parent, "After all I have done for you...?"  "Remember what I did for you when...?"  "How many times do I have to ask you to..."

Part Two is the main part of the book.  It begins with the Ten Commandments and follows with a call to be faithful to God and to make a profession of faith. Moses reminds the people that they are God's chosen people. He reminds them of their infidelities, the punishments meted out by God and also all the times that He has won victories for them.  The key theme should not surprise.  It has been told over and over. God is the One God. They must be faithful to Him alone.  There will be blessings on those who fulfill the law and curses on those who do not.

Part Three reiterates Parts One and Two.  They are reminded of their escape from Egypt (again) and of the Covenant they have made with God.  They are urged to choose Life (the right path) over Death ( the wrong path).  I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice, and cleaving to him; for that means life to you and length of days, that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.  DT.30:19-20.

The Book of Deuteronomy reminds us of God's eternal and patient love for us and admonishes us to choose Life over Death, to learn from our past mistakes, and to remain faithful to the One true God. And yes, sometimes we have to hear it over and over in order to learn.

Qumran