Contemplative Bible Reading

Deuteronomy 6:20-25 (New International Version)

²⁰ In the future, when your son asks you, “What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the LORD our God has commanded you?” ²¹ tell him: “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. ²² Before our eyes the LORD sent miraculous signs and wonders—great and terrible—upon Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household. ²³ But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land that he promised on oath to our forefathers. ²⁴ The LORD commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the LORD our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. ²⁵ And if we are careful to obey all this law before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness.”

In these verses, the people were preparing to enter the promised land. Moses was addressing them for the last time before he died. Moses anticipated the day when children would ask their parents a simple question that children ask their parents daily:

Why?

Why obey all these laws? Why do this? What is the meaning?

The simple answer comes in verse 24 in two parts:

1. Prosperity
2. Life

These people were slaves for most of 400 years in Egypt. Now they were free. What were they do to? How were they to live? God’s laws in the Old Testament taught them how to treat mildew and open sores, how to rest the farm lands, and how to loan and borrow funds. God also taught them about loving one another, being faithful to your spouse, and avoiding incest. God  taught the people these and many other things that led to prosperity and life.

Let’s consider the exhortations we find in the New Testament. Love your neighbor, treat your spouse as you would treat yourself, raise your children in the Lord, and forgive. We could live hateful and mean lives, but who wants to do that? We could live dependent on drugs and gambling and other vices, but who wants to do that? Have you ever met someone who was physically dependent on a thing and happy? Have you ever met someone who happily divorced his wife and happily lost the right to hug his child? Sigh.

Prosperity and life. God still shows us the way to them. Thank you God.