Deuteronomy 9-24 part II. - a podcast by Rev Mark Sheppeard

 

God's Covenant (4:44-Ch. 28): Since it's a reiteration of Jewish law, it makes sense that the largest section of Deuteronomy is devoted to an extensive review of rules and statutes put in place as an agreement between God and the Children of Israel. Of all the points stressed in this section, or the book as a whole, the notion of obedience to God's decrees is of the utmost importance. Without obedience, all of the Torah and its instructions would be rendered null and void, along with God's covenant to provide the Hebrews with peace and prosperity in exchange.

This section is a source of some of the most essential teachings in all of Judaism. It not only restates the Ten Commandments, but also emphasizes the teaching of these and other mitzvoth to subsequent generations. Here, we also find outlines for various practices and observances still seen today, such as the use of phylacteries and mezuzot to keep God's teachings close at hand or the proper celebrations of the Feasts of Passover, Shavu'ot, and Sukkot. Perhaps most importantly, though, we see a call for centralized worship in a single sanctuary, which further highlights fundamental elements of monotheism and a move away from sacrificial practices.

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