Title: You Choose Life
you choose life
Text/ Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (Reference, Deuteronomy 28:1-30:14)
1. Introduction
There are three representative laws of the Old Testament. Code of law refers to a document that summarizes God's commands, ordinances, and laws (Deut 30:16) that the people of Israel must follow in their social life such as daily life, sacrificial rites, and judgment (Deuteronomy 30:16).
first. The Covenant Code: Exodus 20:22-23:33.
second. The Deutronomic Code (Deuteronomy 12-26).
third. The Holiness Code (fp19:26).
<Reference: B.W. Anderson, Understanding The Old Testament, p.96>
After Moses passed down the Code of Deuteronomy, in Deuteronomy 28:1-30:14, he vividly proclaims the blessings that will come to those who keep this code well and the curses that those who don't keep it. This text is the final concluding statement after listing the contents of the blessings and curses in detail.
2. What is the significance of the Code?
Every sport has rules of play. Without the rules of the game, the sport itself cannot exist. Sports matches are fun and enjoyable when the organizers, players, referees, etc. play according to the rules. But if you break the rules or cheat, the match is no longer a match. That's why the apostle Paul said, "If a player does not compete according to the law, he cannot receive the crown" 2 Timothy 2:5.
In this way, the code of law is like the rules of the game that a society must have for its existence. Codes are the basic rules of society. Codes are the basic infrastructure of society. A society with poor infrastructure cannot grow, and when the infrastructure collapses, the entire society collapses. Today, Korean society is confused by various gates. Why? This is because people in power, leadership, and economic circles did not follow the basic laws of Korean society.
Please read Deuteronomy 28:1-14 while meditating deeply once again. It records in detail what blessings those who follow the Code of Deuteronomy will receive. Deuteronomy 28:15-68 records in detail what kind of curse those who do not follow the Code of Deuteronomy will receive. Do you keep the Code of Deuteronomy for the standards of blessings and curses or not? depends on Therefore, Moses declares, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; choose life so that you and your descendants may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). Indeed, blessings and curses lie before us.
3. Then, how will we keep the Code of Deuteronomy?
The Code of Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 12-26) is a social code that God prepared for the social life of the ancient Israelites 3000 years ago. To receive blessings and curses based on the Code of Deuteronomy does not mean that all people living in the modern world will be blessed if they literally follow the Code of Deuteronomy, or they will be cursed otherwise. Because no matter how hard you try to keep the Code of Deuteronomy literally, you cannot keep it.
We who are living in 2002 cannot go to Jerusalem to offer burnt offerings. I can't help but eat pork. There is no paper today. An eye cannot repay an eye for this. You can't even have a concubine. No right?
Then, what does it mean to keep the Code of Deuteronomy for us living in the modern age? It means to observe and protect the original legal spirit of the Deuteronomy Code.
4. Then, what is the legal deity of the Deuteronomy Code?
first. You are to fear the Lord God. <The Fear of God> is the alpha and omega of the legal god of the Deuteronomy Law. How is the fear of God manifested in reality today?. It is Holy Week. Tithing. Church service.
second. You are to be considerate of your neighbours. It means that the good Samaritan's self-sacrificing love for his neighbor is impossible, but he should live with basic consideration for his neighbor. If you build a house, you make a railing (Deuteronomy 22:8), if you dig a puddle, you build a fence, and if you see a stray donkey, you take care of it until the owner comes to you (Deuteronomy 22:1-4) and live.
third. You are meant to live with common sense. If you have given him work, do not push the king away or eat away from him (Deuteronomy 24:15). When there are joyous things, enjoy them together with the servant of the Lord (Deuteronomy 14:27). Do not conduct business that violates the Fair Trade Act (Deuteronomy 25:13-16). All of these things are common sense. I mean, it's the right thing to do.
5. Closing Story
The conclusion of this text is that if you live in the fear of God, considerate of your neighbors, and live with common sense, you will be blessed, and if you betray God, you are disrespectful to your neighbors, and you live irrationally, you will be cursed. The blessed life is so easy (Deuteronomy 30:11-14). And yet, what's really strange is that many people dare to go down the cursed path. He said, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse, so choose life.” I bless you in the name of the Lord that you may become one of those who choose life. Hallelujah, Amen!.
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