Seder 159: Deuteronomy 30-31---Moses' Final Tasks

 In Deuteronomy 30:11-20, Moses reaches the climax of his final sermon.  He lays out again the two paths the Israelites can take in the future, with the consequences of each.  

Moses emphasizes that the task set before them is something that they are capable of accomplishing---walking in loyalty to God.  (Note that they are not required to be sinless.)  Far from being an impossible burden, the instruction he has given them is something they can comprehend.  It is not something esoteric.  They won't need to climb a mountain in Tibet seeking enlightenment (or seek out the "Wise Ass on the Hill" like the pig in the Pearls Before Swine comic strip).  

In his epistle to the Romans, Paul quotes Deuteronomy 30 to make a similar point about salvation by faith in Jesus the Messiah (Rom 10:6-13).  Although Jesus is not with us physically, he is present with us and will aid us in following him.  

Having reached the end of his life, Moses wants to be sure the Israelites are fully prepared to cross the Jordan and take the Promised Land.  He encourages Joshua, his successor, and the people to go forward in faith and courage  (Dt 31:1-8).  

Moses writes down the instruction he has given in his final sermons, and he specifies that it be read to the people every seven years at the Feast of Tabernacles (vv 9=13).  This will be yet another opportunity for covenant renewal, so that each generation can feel connected to God and keep Israel's mission in mind.  

In a sermon at Church of the Messiah on September 2, 2023, Kyle Kettering began in Psalm 148, which calls on all the universe to praise God because 

• he is our Creator;
• he establishes a pattern for everything;
• he is our King;
• he has provided protection/salvation to his people, who are near to him.

This last point ties in with Deuteronomy 30 and Romans 10, which also emphasize that God is near to his people.  

Seder 159: Psalm 100---A Call to Give Thanks

 Psalm 100 concludes a group of psalms, starting with Psalm 93, that celebrate God's kingship and universal rule.  This short psalm has two parts, each with a call to give thanks to God and reasons to give thanks.  

Verse 1 urges "all the earth" to make a joyful noise to the God of Israel.  Like other psalms in this group, it has a prophetic element, looking forward to a time in the future when God receives universal acclamation, and people from all nations join with Israel to follow the true God.  

"Serve the Lord with gladness!", we read in verse 2.  There is joy in submitting to God and living in harmony with him.  

The midrash on Psalm 100 contrasts this verse with Psalm 2:11:  "Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling."  Rabbi Akha (fourth century AD) taught that one should serve God with fear in this world so that he can serve him with gladness in the world to come, and be glad at the fear that hostile nations will experience at their judgment.  

Verse 3 says that we are to "know" the LORD is God, a word that connotes acknowledgment or confession.  We confess that he is our creator and therefore our ruler.  When we are in covenant with him, we confess the privileges that come with that status as "sheep of his pasture."

Verse 4 repeats the call to worship:  "Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!"  Thanksgiving and praise naturally go together, as God reveals himself in both his perfections and his mighty works.  We praise God for his mercy and his faithfulness.   

A midrash on verse 4 says that in the world to come, "all offerings will cease, except the prayer of thanksgiving."  This midrash recognizes the prophetic element in the psalm.