The Book of Deuteronomy - Establishing Community

January 3rd, 2026
by Pastor Nate
0
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” – Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Deuteronomy is the farewell address from Moses that includes a list of many instructions and reminders for the Israelite people.   Moses focuses on reminding the people about the importance of their covenant relationship with God.  Included in Moses’ address are also a series of blessings and legal traditions that outline the social, economic, and political expectations for the Israelite people.

The idea behind all of it is that God is building a community in this world.  God desires and promises to be in covenant relationship with God’s people, and in turn they promise to observe the specific expectations that God has outlined.  As ancient and antiquated as these words might seem at times, the message is still the same today:  God wants to establish a unique community and promises to help guide us on this path.
Posted in Bible & Theology, Bible & Theology
Posted in community, Identity, covenant

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