Page 126 - Pentateuch - Student Textbook

will turn to punishment (94:10). A person who accepts discipline and learns from it gets relief, but a pit is
dug for the wicked (94:12). The contrast is stark and very much in line with the principles stated in
Deuteronomy. “The LORD has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death (Ps.
118:18).”

The book of Hosea is another part of the OT that is very dependent on Deuteronomy in general and
reflected in the prophet’s use of the concept of “discipline.” In 7:15 God announces that he “trained”
the nation of Israel and plans to “punish” them at a future date (10:10). Hosea chapter 11 has an
extended metaphor about God’s relationship with his people. Although the prophet does not use the
word “discipline,” he uses images like teaching to walk (v. 3), leading with cords of human kindness (v.
4), and bending down to feed them (v. 4). The parallels are deeply valuable. As God taught his people to
“discipline” their children, so he disciplines his children. Only as a last resort, when everything has been
tried and they continue to rebel and to reject him, does he reject them finally.

15.4 Let’s Practice…

1. The OT covenant is based on for God.

2. The greatest threat to spiritual life is a failure to be

3. Israel was instructed to the high places of the nations in
Palestine.

4. To obey God Israel was required to their hearts.

5. On the seventh Sabbath all debts were

6. Respect for judges, kings, priest, and prophets is an extension of the commandment.

7. Fighting to protect family is less valuable than

8. Something as simple as the misuse of a could result in sin and death.

9. Charging interest was considered just as much as harvesting a neighbor’s grain.

10. Honest weights and measures were a reflection of the commandment.

15.5 Let’s Personalize this Lesson…

In all of these expansions, we see a depth in the law, even in the individual paragraphs of the
law. Law is the basis of everything in the wisdom books and in the prophets. We learn more
about YHWH, what he likes and doesn’t like. We learn more about how we are to live. We learn
more about how he works in our lives daily. This is his law. This is him.

Are there specific illustrations of laws in your culture that reflect the Biblical standards? Does your
church teach people that it is possible to follow the law? Are there some laws that your church teaches
as more important than others? Do believers take pride in their ability to obey more than others?

125