Page 115 - Pentateuch

through the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5), we know by experiencing a different category of love. We can no longer
put our lesser human loves
on the same level as God’s love for us through Christ. In comparison, we “hate” the ones we most love.
God’s love first. Family comes second. War is a much less valuable activity.

Another value of this section of laws in Deuteronomy is its foundational character for other OT books. We
cringe (again) about the instructions in 21:18-21 concerning a rebellious son. After all attempts to
“discipline” him, he is brought to the elders at the gate of the town, the place where court cases are
decided. If he is found guilty of rebellion, engaging in activities like gluttony and drunkenness, he is to be
stoned to death by the men of the town.

The word “discipline” connects us to both Proverbs and Psalms. It carries connotations of “teach, discipline,
and chastise.” 135 This is the role of parents in the life of a child if that child is to grow up knowing God. In
the book of Proverbs, the word is used five times. Three are in connection with parental teaching and
discipline, very powerfully presenting a picture of hope and joy instead of death (19:18; 29:17; 31:1). The
law in Deuteronomy is the basis for these practical guidelines.

When this principle of discipline is applied to God’s relationship with his people in the Psalms, we
understand better how God works in our lives. We do not want to be disciplined in God’s wrath (Ps. 6:1).
The experience often consumes what we value (39:11). If a nation continues to reject God, his discipline 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 finally reject them.

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 ____________________________

135 J. Andrew Dearman, The Book of Hosea (Erdmann: Grand Rapids, 2010), p. 211.
113