“Staying on track, staying focused”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Friday, March 3, 2023
Deuteronomy 10:12-22 (Forward, p. 33) CEV p. 178
Many of us have trouble just doing one thing well and not fouling it up in some way, but to do two things at once—no way! And yet, that is exactly what God is asking of us in today’s passage.
On the one hand, we are to honour, respect and serve only God, and serve Him with all our heart and soul. And, on the other hand, we are to care for our fellow human beings, for those in need such as orphans, widows, and foreigners. This seems to go against the ‘only’ part mentioned earlier. It would almost seem to be like having a team of horses where one wants to go one way and another one wants to go elsewhere.
But here the image of a team of horses might prove helpful. There are two things that keep a team of horse ‘on track’, heading in just one direction. One is the yoke; the other is the teamster or driver. The yoke keeps them in sync with each other, united, you might say, and the teamster or driver gives them their overall direction.
In the case of our passage today, the yoke is God’s law and teachings. This is something that binds us all together. We are informed and shaped and guided by them. And the driver or teamsters is none other than God Himself. And here we learn several very important things about Him:
-His love: He chose Israel as His very own people and gifted them in several most incredible ways and made His covenant with them;
-His power and His constancy: not only did He create this world and all that exists, He also rules over all things. All kings and powers, whether earthly or heavenly, are subject to Him. Furthermore, He does not change or vacillate and is always fair. He does not change His mind;
-His sense of reciprocity: God expects us to respond in kind, to respond appropriately to what He has done for us. We have seen and experienced His power and salvation, so we should respond with love and honour and respect and obedience. We should serve only Him and make promises, offer prayers, in His name alone. And, as we have been treated, so too in like manner we should treat others. So, Israel, as they had once been foreigners whom God helped and rescued, they too should treat foreigners with respect and compassion.
In many ways, we have received from God even more than had the Israel of old. While it had been freed from its slavery in Egypt and brought into a new land, we have been freed from sin and death and Satan and brought into God’s glorious and everlasting kingdom. So, how much more grateful we should be, and how much more devoted to honouring Him with all our being and serving Him wholeheartedly. Knowing this should keep us on track, keeping focused. Amen.
Forward notes: “Circumcise, then, the foreskin of your heart, and do not be stubborn any longer” (verse 16).
“People say I can be stubborn, and I suppose I can be. It isn’t so much that I like to win arguments, though I can hold to an opinion like a dog with a bone.
“Younger me would argue not so much to be right as to hear an opposing view spoken out loud, either by who I am arguing with, or by myself. I am an audible processor; speaking is how I explore the world—that explains at least some of my bullheadedness. The people of God seem bullheaded too. Were they exploring their faith, expanding their love of God? Or were they just plain bullheaded?
“Exuding love and adoration, this reading from Deuteronomy reveals God as one who cares so much that God not only accepts you as you are, regardless of your stubbornness or some other faith-expanding or faith-contracting trait, but also invites you to love in return.
“Love God, and welcome all—all—who might be less than you or more than you. We are all wanderers and strangers on this earth.”
Moving Forward: “What makes you respond with bullheadedness? Ask God for love, patience, and understanding.”