Fundamental Human Kindness (Deuteronomy 10:12-19)

We heard from the scripture from Deuteronomy, what God had done for the Israelites and how Moses now called to respond and make a commitment to God. "The structure of the passage reveals an enveloping pattern in which we encounter commands to obey God (vv. 12-13), embrace the outcome of command to show proper care and concern for people, especially the socially and economically disadvantaged later in vv. 14-19. The motive part of this whole pericope and that which binds the whole together is v. 17, a confession of the sovereignty of God and of God’s justice." In view of God’s past grace to God’s people, what did God require of them? Moses summarized Israel's responsibility: fear, walk, love, serve, and keep. God expected total commitment, faithfulness and obedience to God’s covenant. "These are the central ideas not only of Deuteronomy but of the whole Pentateuch in its final shape." 

 

Let us look to God in prayer: When you preached on earth, Lord, you found the divine words that were able to reach the hearts of your hearers. Your truth moved them deeply and encouraged them to follow you and to live for you. Lord, bless now the words that I speak and the meditation of all our hearts be acceptable in your sight, our rock and redeemer. Amen.

A priest was sent behind bars just because he was propagating the word of God. This is an incident which happened in Kashmir, when he was debarred from the land of Kashmir with an allegation that “he was converting people forcefully”. In the text Moses asks, "So now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you...?" What does God require from us today as we reflect on this passage? That priest was fulfilling God’s requirements but still he suffered and injustice enthralled his life. He boldly said, “It is my responsibility to preach God’s Word. I can’t refuse anyone. The house of God is open for all.” Now we have to keep in mind that this text addresses people who already know God; those who already have a personal relationship with God. So this is speaking of requirements for living a Christian life, not entering it.

Deuteronomy serves as Moses’ farewell speech to the nation of Israel as the nation prepares to embark on entering the Promised Land. It was written to instruct the covenant people of Israel how to live in relationship with God. The opening words of v12 are among the most familiar in the Hebrew Bible, partly because of their use in Micah 6:8 “'what does YHWH require of you?', that gives the answer in Deuteronomy .i.e. to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

This question represents one of the two basic ideas about our faith and religion. How can a human approach God? One answer is: with sacrifice which people used to do at early times, things and by doing good works which are pleasing to God. The other answer is also reflected in v8. God requires not some external gifts from a worshipper, but a humble communicant who loves to serve God and practices justice towards their fellow humans. Now the question is how justice can be prevailed? Our so called sophisticated society, cannot breathe until we accomplish our mean and selfish desires by dumping or by hurting each other. The priest, about whom we have just talked, still continues to give his testimony as what God requires from him he will do and serve till his last breath.

The news readings which have been read before us explain the scenario of happenings in our societies, about the injustices that are prevailing. How justice can prevail over the nations, how we can do justice to our neighbors and others, that is still a big question even as we are witnessing in such a time as this. Where girls can’t walk freely, where caste issues still prevail, where people are dying of hunger, where dalits are made voiceless, we still keep quiet and thus we, the theological community, who make several liberal theologies showing great interest in pain and agony, we do talk but silently, we do react but don’t act, we do show solidarity but hardly we are recognized with them.

Jesus told the story about the Good Samaritan. A man was robbed and left for dead on the side of the road. Three people passed safely on the other side of the road- a Jewish priest, a Jewish rabbi, a third dirty and messy religious. It was only the Samaritan who stopped, knelt down and offered to help in kindness, mercy, and gentleness. The ingredient that God requires from His disciples is fundamental human kindness…to family, friends, work associates, classmates, and strangers.

How Moses now expounds the ‘requirements’ about fear of God can make a difference in our lives. When we hear the word “fear” that itself creates a misunderstanding between the relationship of human and God, which can be taken as the fear of God is to fear the judgment of God and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God. But here the fear of God is something much different. The fear is reverence of God.

Proverbs 1:7 declares, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge…” Until we understand who God is, and develop a reverential fear of Him, we cannot have true wisdom. True wisdom comes only from understanding who God is, this is where we misunderstood God who is holy, just, and righteous. Deuteronomy 10:12, records, "Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name. He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen." The fear of God is the basis for our walking in His ways, serving Him, and yes, loving Him.
What does the Lord require of you? Do justice. Love kindness. And walk humbly with your God.

Amen

Amos Massey

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