Day 69: Deuteronomy 25-27

The book of Deuteronomy is nearing its conclusion. The Torah is coming to an end. Moses is anticipating the end of his life. The wilderness wandering is about to be over. In these last few chapters, why are these specific commandments given? In order to prepare his people to be God's special nation in the promised land, Moses is careful to describe the way family lines are to be preserved (helping us to understand the book of Ruth, the lineage of David and Christ Himself). He gives them the ritual for presenting the first offerings of the fruit of the land to God, including a recitation to help them understand their relationship to God, and another, asking Him for acceptance and blessing. And he begins the curses and blessings pronounced over the people that they are to endorse with their "amen." It's interesting that one curse has to do with idolatry (their relationship with God); the rest are all about living peacefully, respectfully and with integrity in their relationship with one another.

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