This passage discusses the relationship between God and the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. It describes the relationship as a formal legal contract or agreement where God agrees to be their God and support them, while the Israelites agree to obey God's laws and commandments. This two-way relationship establishes expectations for both parties to fulfill, with benefits for both such as the Israelites becoming superior to other nations and God receiving glory. The commentary raises questions about how this language of one nation being superior fits with desires for fairness, and how obedience to God's laws should be understood today given diversity of views.

1. Friday
Psalm 112
Background
Today's passage spells out more clearly that the relationship between God and God's people is a
two-way one. It starts with God's initiative, God's grace, for God has agreed to be their God (v.
17). For the Israelites, who have gone through such hardships to get to the threshold of reaching
the Promised Land, this is an important offer. They are about to encounter many other people
already living in the same land, who worship local gods. They know there will be con몭ict ahead
as they try to establish themselves in this new place, and to know that the powerful God, who
freed them from slavery in Egypt, who parted the waters of the Red Sea and who led them
through the wilderness, is on their side and will walk with them in the di몭culties, challenges and
even battles that lie ahead, is both important and reassuring. Without such support their quest
will surely be doomed to failure.
However, in return, they are to observe the laws –"statutes and ordinances" (v. 16) – that God
has given them in order to live a good and holy life. To do so requires total commitment; it will
require the use of all their heart and soul (v. 16). They are commanded to obey. Just as the Ten
Commandments command children to obey their father and their mother as a sign of their love
(Exodus 20:12), so too are the people of God to show their love by obeying the law that has been
given to them.
This relationship has the sense of a formal legal contract. An agreement has been "obtained"
from the Lord (v. 17) and in return God has obtained the people's agreement. There are
expectations placed on both parties to the agreement, but there are also potential gains for both
as well if the deal works as intended. For the Israelites, they will become "high above all nations"
(v. 19), just what they want to hear as they begin their encounters with other more established
nations, while God receives re몭ected glory and praise from the "people holy to the Lord your
18 November 2022 Deuteronomy 26:16-19
“
'Today the Lord has obtained your agreement: to be his treasured people, as he promised
you, and to keep his commandments.' (v. 18)
”
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2. God" (v. 19).
To Ponder:
Other than in sports competitions, the suggestion of one nation being "high above all nations"
(v. 19) can cause uneasiness. How do we reconcile this promise of God with our desire for
fairness and justice for all people?
What does it mean for someone in the Church today to obey the "statutes and ordinances" (v.
16) and how should we manage diversity of views?
Consider your own relationship with God and what commitments you are prepared to make in
response to God's grace.
Previously published in 2019.
Bible notes author
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Pavel • 2 days ago
This resembles a treaty rather than a relationship of love. "If you worship me and obey my
commandments, I will look after you and give you a higher status than other peoples." It sounds
like a strict patriarch making demands on his children, requiring them to meet his conditions to
earn his love and favour. The concepts of grace and unconditional love have clearly not yet
been developed in the mind of the writer. To what extent do we think personally, or doctrines
within the church still imply, that people must meet certain requirements before they are

Dr Richard Vautrey
Richard Vautrey is a local preacher and church steward in Leeds, and a former
Vice-President of the Methodist Conference. He works as a GP, is an elected
member of the BMA Council and is chair of the BMA's GP committee.
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• Reply •
within the church still imply, that people must meet certain requirements before they are
acceptable to God?
1 △ ▽
David King • 21 hours ago
• Reply •
To Ponder: No. 2.
The statement: "Statutes and Ordinances", as per Duetronomy, is key.
But I struggle over "someone in the Church today". That leaves me pondering over at least two
things. One: The "someone" and their possible relation/interpretation of the imperative to obey
(which) "statutes and ordinances".
Two: The "Church today". Which church? The Methodist Church? Roman Catholic Church.
Church of England. Or any number of other societies that are Christian?
As I understand it, those
of the Jewish faith would have a different stance on this subject to those of the Christian
Church. To complicate matters there is a lack of continuity and agreement of thought amongst
Christians on "statutes and ordinances" as we read in Duetronomy.
Managing Diversity amongst believers is handled according the the rules of the society that we
belong to or wish to belong. With some everything is Black or White. Grey is not acceptable.
Others take a more relaxed approach.
But all would claim that the important point is:
To Love God and love our neighbour with the same zeal that we love ourselves.
.
△ ▽
Porp • a day ago
• Reply •
What does it mean for someone in the Church today to obey the "statutes and ordinances" (v.
16) and how should we manage diversity of views?
We are not called to judge anyone but to love them regardless. We are not even called to
disapprove, which is judgement. It must be the sin we dislike, not the person.
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