Weekly Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 16-34

Last week I said that if the book of Deuteronomy could be summed up in one word it would be the word "remember". Though that may not be an inaccurate statement, it is possible that I miss-spoke. The first half of the book does has a heavy focus on remembering; however, throughout the entire book we see this command over and over....

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. ~Deuteronomy 6:5

This command is given 9 times throughout the 34 chapters of Deuteronomy. The first time in chapter 4, and the last in Chapter 30. I have not done a study to see what other laws were repeated, but seeing as we just finished reading through the Pentateuch (the first 5 books of the bible, the books of the law), I can safely say that I did not notice any other laws being repeated, let alone, 9 times in one book. I love this because we tend to think of this law as a New Testament command due to the exchange Jesus had with the religious leaders in the Gospel of Matthew.

Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” ~Matthew 22:35-40

What an exciting discovery to find that Jesus was actually quoting Deuteronomy here! This concept was not new to the religious leaders, in fact, it was probably what they would have considered to be the right answer. In fact, it is very likely that the religious leaders where hoping He would't answer with this law because it was the right answer. Look at the exchange that happens in Luke 10 between another Lawyer and Jesus...

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ” And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

In this account, Jesus wasn't the one who cited Deuteronomy 6:5 as the greatest commandment, rather it was the Lawyer! And Jesus even commended the lawyer for having the correct answer. Additionally, in this account, the Lawyer seemed to know that loving your neighbor as a close second to the command to love God.

As we wrap up reading the Pentateuch, it is so good to remember that all the laws we read are summed up so simply. As this week's reading showed us, loving the LORD with all our heart, soul, and strength is the Greatest command. And every the other law that we read was written to show us how to love our neighbors well. Moreover, how to love our neighbors as ourselves.

I can definitely say that this is an area in my life that I feel I am constantly in need of growth in. I pray that as we walk forward into this week, month and year, that we would grow in our Love for Christ, and through that, our love for others.

Have a blessed week. <3

Author: Abigail Escobedo