The Genre of the Law or Torah - Essay Example

The scripture Deuteronomy 6:1-9 warns the Israelites against worshipping any other god but Yahweh.
The big idea in this passage is that the Israelites are a chosen people down their generations. It is apparent from the passage that they must live according to God’s will. The LORD God promises to allow them to live in the Promised Land for a long time if they not only listen to His commandments but also obey them at the same time. In short, God is revealing that His promises are conditional. Moses says, “Listen to them, people of Israel, and obey them! Then all will go well with you, and you will become a mighty nation, and live in that fertile land, just as the LORD, the God of our ancestors has promised (Deuteronomy 6:3).”

This passage fits the theme of the book in the sense that it continues to give laws guiding man’s relationship with God. After being chosen, taken into captivity in Egypt, and finally emancipated, the LORD God makes the terms of His covenant with Abraham specific to the Israelites. The laws given demonstrate that they have been called to righteousness and that they have to be righteous in the first place. They must also have faith in God alone, trust in him and keep his commandments down the generations so that His promises may be fulfilled in their lives.

The historical and cultural background of the passage traces back to the call of Abraham when he was in Ur. Upon demonstrating faith in God, he had been promised that he would be made a great nation. When Abraham’s descendants were now numerous and serving in Egypt as slaves, God saved Moses as the vessel through which he would later free the Israelites from bondage. Moses rises as a great prophet who liberated the Israelites from Egypt in plan with God’s plan. Through him, God gives His people the Law to guide their relationships as they await the Messiah who would one day unite them and the rest of humanity back to him. The audience of the book was originally Israelites, though, in the aftermath of Jesus' salvation of humankind, the audience expands to all believers. Moses was born in Egypt from a Levite tribe, raised in the Pharaoh’s palace as a prince but later left and joined his people. Deuteronomy was written around 1406 BC.

After re-reading the passage and meditating on its meaning for 30 minutes (Lectio Divina), I have come to understand that Moses teaches the Israelites in Deuteronomy 6:1-9 that “they should walk steadily with God in body, mind and in spirit.” As chosen people, they have to be a perfect example of God’s righteousness in thoughts, words, and deeds. The promise of becoming a great nation is pegged on the obedience of the LORD.

The application of Deuteronomy 6:1-9 in contemporary Christian teaching is still relevant. Just as Moses insists on loving God, I believe I have to love God with all my strength, my soul, and my heart so that I may be counted as His child. That way I will walk in fellowship with God. The church also has a duty to teach obedience of the LORD and following his laws to both the young and the old across generations as Moses instructed the Israelites to teach their children. That way, God’s message is passed down generations so that it remains a living word.