March 10, 2021
What is the purpose of the law?
In his second speech, Moses moves from general to more specific covenant stipulations that Israel must obey in the Promised Land. The order of this expansion of the law follows the order of the Ten Commandments.
Deuteronomy 12 explains proper worship of the Lord, expanding on the first commandment about having no other gods before Him. The Lord desires to lead His people away from idols and false gods. Moses challenged Israel to remove the evil practices of their surrounding nations, even to the point of death. Canaanite worship included many abominable moral practices such as prostitution and child sacrifice.
The Lord called Israel to totally remove such practices, knowing they would be influenced by the nations if they compromised. If Israel will walk in obedience to the Lord, they will experience His mercy, compassion, and provision.
“Jesus answered, ‘The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’” - Mark 12:29-30
The scribes and teachers of the law challenge Jesus’ character and authority in this passage. One scribe asks Jesus which commandment is the most important. Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and Leviticus 19:18, showing that he came to fulfill the law, not abolish it (Matthew 5:17). He was challenging the status quo and called out those who taught the law but did not respond with surrender to Him as the Son of David (Mark 12:35-37).
Jesus concludes by instructing his disciples about true sacrifice. In the example of the widow’s offering, the poor widow gave more than the rich when measured by God’s economy. She shows her love for God through her act of sacrifice and surrender, trusting in His provision.
Make It Personal
- Do you see influences in your life leading you to “worship false gods?” If so, how can you eliminate those influences and ”purge the evil from you”?
- Is there an area of your life where you are going through the motions but your heart is not actually surrendered to loving God and loving others?