After reading chapter 16:
* Here is a reiteration of the instructions for observing the Passover, except with the addition that it must be celebrated in the place the lord will choose for a dwelling, not in their towns. Then we revisit the feast of weeks and the feast of tabernacles. In verse 18 the Israelites are instructed to appoint judges for each tribe, in each town. No bribing judges allowed. Also, no Asherah poles next to the altar and no sacred stones.
After reading chapter 17:
*Do not sacrifice a blemished animal to the lord, for he is picky. If anyone is found to be guilty of worshipping other gods, they are to be taken outside the city gate and stoned to death. However, there must be more than one witness. Plus, the witnesses must cast the first stones.
*Difficult court cases must be brought to the place the lord chooses and decided by a priest or a judge. Thier decisions will be binding and must be obeyed or the penalty is death.
*When they enter the promised land and go to choose a king, they must choose someone of whom God approves. He must be an Israelite, not a foreigner. He must not acquire a lot of horses, wives, or silver and gold. (All things that Solomon supposedly acquired. ) When he becomes king, he is to write his own personal copy of the law on a scroll and read it every day, so he will follow it carefully. The king is not to consider himself better than other Israelites, then he will reign a long time. Apparently the author of Deuteronomy was not aware of any objections to having an Israelite king, which we will see later.
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Monday, January 25, 2016
Deuteronomy 15
After reading chapter 15:
*Every seven years the debts of all Israelites to other Israelites are to be cancelled, but not the debts of foreigners. Besides, the promised land will be so good that there shouldn't be any poor Israelites. Then they will loan money to other nations, but never borrow from others. Consequently, they will rule over many nations and no one will rule over them. Well, history tells us things didn't work out quite this way.
*So, IF there happens to be a poor man (not woman) among them, they must be generous. Plus, they must not refuse to lend to someone because the year of cancellation is too near. Now, after saying there should be no poor among them in verse four, because of the rich blessings of the promised land, they are told there will always be poor people in the land in verse 11. Which is true?
*Next we find that a man or woman can sell themselves as servants for six years, but in the seventh year, they must be set free. When they are let go they are to be given grain and wine. But if a servant wishes to remain a servant, his or her ear is pierced. Then they are a servant for life. This is somewhat different from Exodus 21, where only male servants go free and female servants do not go free at the end of seven years. Unless no one wants them and no one will provide for them, then they get set free with nothing in payment. It seems that Deuteronomy does not assume the master's right to the sexual services of the maid servants like Exodus does. Also, unlike Deuteronomy, the male servants in Exodus get no payment when released.
*The last part of the chapter commands the setting aside of all the unblemished firstborn livestock for the lord. But they get to eat them with their families in the place Yahweh decides. The blemished animals can be eaten in their towns, just not the blood. We musn't forget about the blood.
*Every seven years the debts of all Israelites to other Israelites are to be cancelled, but not the debts of foreigners. Besides, the promised land will be so good that there shouldn't be any poor Israelites. Then they will loan money to other nations, but never borrow from others. Consequently, they will rule over many nations and no one will rule over them. Well, history tells us things didn't work out quite this way.
*So, IF there happens to be a poor man (not woman) among them, they must be generous. Plus, they must not refuse to lend to someone because the year of cancellation is too near. Now, after saying there should be no poor among them in verse four, because of the rich blessings of the promised land, they are told there will always be poor people in the land in verse 11. Which is true?
*Next we find that a man or woman can sell themselves as servants for six years, but in the seventh year, they must be set free. When they are let go they are to be given grain and wine. But if a servant wishes to remain a servant, his or her ear is pierced. Then they are a servant for life. This is somewhat different from Exodus 21, where only male servants go free and female servants do not go free at the end of seven years. Unless no one wants them and no one will provide for them, then they get set free with nothing in payment. It seems that Deuteronomy does not assume the master's right to the sexual services of the maid servants like Exodus does. Also, unlike Deuteronomy, the male servants in Exodus get no payment when released.
*The last part of the chapter commands the setting aside of all the unblemished firstborn livestock for the lord. But they get to eat them with their families in the place Yahweh decides. The blemished animals can be eaten in their towns, just not the blood. We musn't forget about the blood.
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Book review: Undeniable by Bill Nye
Bill Nye's book was written after he had his well publicized debate with Ken Ham. It covers some of the points he covered in the debate and a little more. Undeniable reads in a rambling "folksy" tone which makes me hear Bill in my head. I enjoyed it for the most part, but felt that the flow of information was a little choppy and unstructured. Also, though informative, it was pretty basic stuff that most people should know. If you don't know the basics of modern evolutionary thought, this will help get you on track. But, if you already have a good awareness, it is mostly entertaining, with maybe a few tidbits that you haven't covered before. I was especially interested in the info about viruses, which I will look into further.
Friday, January 22, 2016
Deuteronomy 14
After reading chapter 14:
*Here we find a list of more dos and don'ts for the Israelites. Don't shave your head or cut yourself for the dead. Do eat ruminants, don't eat pigs. Don't even touch a dead pig. Do eat sea creatures that have both fins and scales. Do eat "clean" birds. Do not eat unclean birds, including bats. Do not eat flying insects that swarm, except the clean ones. Do not eat anything found dead, but you can give it to foreigners to eat. The difference is the Israelites are "holy." These regulations were also in Leviticus 11.
*Then there are the regulations for tithes, which is a tenth of everything produced. They get to eat the tithe at the designated place of worship. But if it is too far away, they trade the tithe in for silver, go to the place Yahweh designates for worship, buy food and drink, and have a party with their relatives, not forgetting to give something to the Levites. Every three years, the tithes are to be stored to provide food for the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows. This is a bit different than the instructions for tithes in Leviticus 27, where it seems implied that the tithes are given to the priests, um the lord, not eaten themselves.
*Here we find a list of more dos and don'ts for the Israelites. Don't shave your head or cut yourself for the dead. Do eat ruminants, don't eat pigs. Don't even touch a dead pig. Do eat sea creatures that have both fins and scales. Do eat "clean" birds. Do not eat unclean birds, including bats. Do not eat flying insects that swarm, except the clean ones. Do not eat anything found dead, but you can give it to foreigners to eat. The difference is the Israelites are "holy." These regulations were also in Leviticus 11.
*Then there are the regulations for tithes, which is a tenth of everything produced. They get to eat the tithe at the designated place of worship. But if it is too far away, they trade the tithe in for silver, go to the place Yahweh designates for worship, buy food and drink, and have a party with their relatives, not forgetting to give something to the Levites. Every three years, the tithes are to be stored to provide food for the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows. This is a bit different than the instructions for tithes in Leviticus 27, where it seems implied that the tithes are given to the priests, um the lord, not eaten themselves.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Deuteronomy 13
After reading chapter 13:
*This chapter is a stern repetition of the command not to follow other gods, no matter what. No one is to be trusted who would lure them into the worship of other gods. Not prophets or dreamers, even if they can work miracles and accurately forecast events. They must be put to death. Not brothers, sons or daughters, wives or close friends. They must be stoned to death without pity. In fact, the person they tried to entice away from Yahweh must cast the first stone. Then the rest of the Israelites will hear and be afraid. No kidding.
* If they hear about a town that has turned away from Yahweh to other gods, they must investigate. If it is true, they must slaughter the whole town and the livestock.They must gather all the plunder in the center of town and burn it as a sacrifice to the lord. Then it is to remain a ruin forever. This is to be done to turn away the fierce anger of the lord, so he doesn't take his wrath out on them. Then he will show them mercy and compassion. Though after reading this, what his mercy and compassion would look like is a mystery to me.
*Why doesn't Yahweh just tell them those other gods don't even exist? Why does an omnipotent, omniscient God even need to threaten and cajole? Doesn't he already know what will happen and the reasons for it? To what purpose is his anger? Not to mention that anger is an obviously human emotion.
*This chapter is a stern repetition of the command not to follow other gods, no matter what. No one is to be trusted who would lure them into the worship of other gods. Not prophets or dreamers, even if they can work miracles and accurately forecast events. They must be put to death. Not brothers, sons or daughters, wives or close friends. They must be stoned to death without pity. In fact, the person they tried to entice away from Yahweh must cast the first stone. Then the rest of the Israelites will hear and be afraid. No kidding.
* If they hear about a town that has turned away from Yahweh to other gods, they must investigate. If it is true, they must slaughter the whole town and the livestock.They must gather all the plunder in the center of town and burn it as a sacrifice to the lord. Then it is to remain a ruin forever. This is to be done to turn away the fierce anger of the lord, so he doesn't take his wrath out on them. Then he will show them mercy and compassion. Though after reading this, what his mercy and compassion would look like is a mystery to me.
*Why doesn't Yahweh just tell them those other gods don't even exist? Why does an omnipotent, omniscient God even need to threaten and cajole? Doesn't he already know what will happen and the reasons for it? To what purpose is his anger? Not to mention that anger is an obviously human emotion.
Deuteronomy chapter 12
After reading chapter 12:
* Again, the Israelites are told to destroy all signs of the worship of other gods in the promised land, including alters, idols, sacred stones, Asherah poles, high places, and under spreading trees. (Hmm. Abraham worshipped under "great trees" numerous times.) The Israelites can only worship in the places and manner in which they are told, not like the surrounding nations, and not like they see fit, as they are doing now, verse 8, since they haven't achieved the promised land yet. When they get there they won't be able to make offerings any where they please.
*They can slaughter animals for anyone in their towns to eat, but they must not eat the blood. However, free will offerings and gifts to God must be eaten in the place Yahweh (the Levites) chooses. If they want to eat meat and the center of sacrificial worship is too far away, they are free to kill and eat, again except for the blood. But sacred vows must be presented at the altar of the lord, always obeying regulations so it will go well with them.
*Again, they are told not to be curious about other religious practices and attempt to follow them. According to this, the others do detestable things the lord hates, including child sacrifice. However, we have seen that the Yahweh himself has nothing against wholesale slaughter of humans, if he orders it.
* Again, the Israelites are told to destroy all signs of the worship of other gods in the promised land, including alters, idols, sacred stones, Asherah poles, high places, and under spreading trees. (Hmm. Abraham worshipped under "great trees" numerous times.) The Israelites can only worship in the places and manner in which they are told, not like the surrounding nations, and not like they see fit, as they are doing now, verse 8, since they haven't achieved the promised land yet. When they get there they won't be able to make offerings any where they please.
*They can slaughter animals for anyone in their towns to eat, but they must not eat the blood. However, free will offerings and gifts to God must be eaten in the place Yahweh (the Levites) chooses. If they want to eat meat and the center of sacrificial worship is too far away, they are free to kill and eat, again except for the blood. But sacred vows must be presented at the altar of the lord, always obeying regulations so it will go well with them.
*Again, they are told not to be curious about other religious practices and attempt to follow them. According to this, the others do detestable things the lord hates, including child sacrifice. However, we have seen that the Yahweh himself has nothing against wholesale slaughter of humans, if he orders it.
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Deuteronomy chapter 11
After reading chapter 11:
*Again and again, the Israelites are told to love God and keep his commands. They are again reminded of the exodus and subsequent events and punishments for disobedience. They are reminded that their children didn't see any of those things. They are told again to follow the commands that Moses gave them so they will live long in the promised land, a land of mountains and valleys watered by God, not like Egypt where they must use irrigation.
*Again, if they love and obey God, they will have what they need. Again, if they worship other gods, Yahweh will get angry, there will be no rain, and they will perish. Again, they are told how to indoctrinate their children. Again, they are told if they do these things God will drive out the former inhabitants of the land and no one will be able to stand against them. Plus, everyone will fear them.
*The above are Moses's official blessing and cursing. When they cross the Jordon and get to the promised land, they are to recite the blessings on Mount Gerazim and the cursings on Mount Ebal. They are about to cross over, so they better remember all these commands.
*Again and again, the Israelites are told to love God and keep his commands. They are again reminded of the exodus and subsequent events and punishments for disobedience. They are reminded that their children didn't see any of those things. They are told again to follow the commands that Moses gave them so they will live long in the promised land, a land of mountains and valleys watered by God, not like Egypt where they must use irrigation.
*Again, if they love and obey God, they will have what they need. Again, if they worship other gods, Yahweh will get angry, there will be no rain, and they will perish. Again, they are told how to indoctrinate their children. Again, they are told if they do these things God will drive out the former inhabitants of the land and no one will be able to stand against them. Plus, everyone will fear them.
*The above are Moses's official blessing and cursing. When they cross the Jordon and get to the promised land, they are to recite the blessings on Mount Gerazim and the cursings on Mount Ebal. They are about to cross over, so they better remember all these commands.
Friday, January 15, 2016
Deuteronomy chapter 10
After reading chapter 10:
*Now Moses tells about his chiseling of the second set of stone tablets and his construction of the ark. Even my study bible's footnotes admit that this sequence of events is different than that in Exodus 34-37. There, the ark is not made til after Moses brings the second set of tablets down from the mountain, and then it was made by Bezalel, not Moses. Also, the commands Yahweh gave Moses to put on the second set of the stone tablets in Exodus 34 are very different than the famous "Ten Commandments" mentioned in Deuteronomy. The ones in Deuteronomy say nothing about feasts, sacrifices, or cooking young goats in their mother's milk.
*Then we are told in an aside that the Levite's inheritance is the lord not land and they have the responsibility of caring for the ark with the commandments inside. After the aside, Moses stays on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights, again. Then God tells him to go lead the Israelites to the promised land. Again they are reminded to obey god's commands, for their own good. Again they are told everything belongs to God and God loves them in spite of their obvious flaws (why?).
*Verse 17 is in praise of Yahweh, the lord of lords and God of gods. This is an interesting verse. Does it mean the Israelites believed there were other gods besides Yahweh? If you look at an interlinear translation, you can see that the word "gods" is a form of Elohim, the same word translated as "God" (singular) a great many times in scriptures so far. The verse says God shows no partiality, but he obviously shows partiality to the Israelites. It says he accepts no bribes but we have seen that he expects many many sacrifices. We are told he loves the alien (foreigners) but he plans on destroying the Canaanites. Then the Israelites are told to *love* aliens because they were aliens in Egypt. ???
Well, guess what, they are still aliens in Deuteronomy. They just think they own land that belongs to someone else.
*Lastly, they are told again to fear God and serve him.
I use the Bible Hub website for interlinear translation.
*Now Moses tells about his chiseling of the second set of stone tablets and his construction of the ark. Even my study bible's footnotes admit that this sequence of events is different than that in Exodus 34-37. There, the ark is not made til after Moses brings the second set of tablets down from the mountain, and then it was made by Bezalel, not Moses. Also, the commands Yahweh gave Moses to put on the second set of the stone tablets in Exodus 34 are very different than the famous "Ten Commandments" mentioned in Deuteronomy. The ones in Deuteronomy say nothing about feasts, sacrifices, or cooking young goats in their mother's milk.
*Then we are told in an aside that the Levite's inheritance is the lord not land and they have the responsibility of caring for the ark with the commandments inside. After the aside, Moses stays on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights, again. Then God tells him to go lead the Israelites to the promised land. Again they are reminded to obey god's commands, for their own good. Again they are told everything belongs to God and God loves them in spite of their obvious flaws (why?).
*Verse 17 is in praise of Yahweh, the lord of lords and God of gods. This is an interesting verse. Does it mean the Israelites believed there were other gods besides Yahweh? If you look at an interlinear translation, you can see that the word "gods" is a form of Elohim, the same word translated as "God" (singular) a great many times in scriptures so far. The verse says God shows no partiality, but he obviously shows partiality to the Israelites. It says he accepts no bribes but we have seen that he expects many many sacrifices. We are told he loves the alien (foreigners) but he plans on destroying the Canaanites. Then the Israelites are told to *love* aliens because they were aliens in Egypt. ???
Well, guess what, they are still aliens in Deuteronomy. They just think they own land that belongs to someone else.
*Lastly, they are told again to fear God and serve him.
I use the Bible Hub website for interlinear translation.
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Deuteronomy chapter 9
After reading chapter 9:
*Moses tells the Israelites that the people and cities in the land they will take are bigger and stronger than they are. Nevertheless, God will go before them and subdue those people so the Israelites can annhilate them. After that, the Israelites better not claim it was because of their righteousness, it was because of the other people's wickedness...still the best religious excuse for destroying other people.
*Then Moses reminds the Israelites of the time he was on the mountain waiting to receive the tablets of stone, for forty days and forty nights, without bread and water. A person can only live up to a week without water and three weeks without food. That's a little short of 40 days. But maybe Moses had meat and wine.
*After he got the stone tablets, he went down off the mountain and saw that the Israelites had made an idol for themselves. God was angry. Moses was angry. Moses broke the tablets. Then Moses had no bread and water for another 40 days! Incredible!
*After that incident, Moses pleaded to Yahweh on behalf of Aaron and the Israelies, and God listened to Moses. Then Moses took the golden calf, ground it to a powder and threw the gold dust into a stream that flowed down the mountain. It doesn't sound nearly as horrific as the story in Exodus 32:20 where Moses put the gold dust in the Israelites water and made them drink it. Gold thrown into a stream would just be washed down stream or sink to the bottom. Besides, people can consume gold without harm, though it seems a waste of gold to me.
*Starting at verse 22, Moses tells the Israelites about all the times they made God angry, and how the only reason they are still alive is because Moses interceded on their behalf, laying prostrate before the lord for another forty days and nights. Moses persuaded God to keep the Israelites as his people so Yahweh's reputation would not be tarnished in the eyes of the Israelite enemies.
*Moses tells the Israelites that the people and cities in the land they will take are bigger and stronger than they are. Nevertheless, God will go before them and subdue those people so the Israelites can annhilate them. After that, the Israelites better not claim it was because of their righteousness, it was because of the other people's wickedness...still the best religious excuse for destroying other people.
*Then Moses reminds the Israelites of the time he was on the mountain waiting to receive the tablets of stone, for forty days and forty nights, without bread and water. A person can only live up to a week without water and three weeks without food. That's a little short of 40 days. But maybe Moses had meat and wine.
*After he got the stone tablets, he went down off the mountain and saw that the Israelites had made an idol for themselves. God was angry. Moses was angry. Moses broke the tablets. Then Moses had no bread and water for another 40 days! Incredible!
*After that incident, Moses pleaded to Yahweh on behalf of Aaron and the Israelies, and God listened to Moses. Then Moses took the golden calf, ground it to a powder and threw the gold dust into a stream that flowed down the mountain. It doesn't sound nearly as horrific as the story in Exodus 32:20 where Moses put the gold dust in the Israelites water and made them drink it. Gold thrown into a stream would just be washed down stream or sink to the bottom. Besides, people can consume gold without harm, though it seems a waste of gold to me.
*Starting at verse 22, Moses tells the Israelites about all the times they made God angry, and how the only reason they are still alive is because Moses interceded on their behalf, laying prostrate before the lord for another forty days and nights. Moses persuaded God to keep the Israelites as his people so Yahweh's reputation would not be tarnished in the eyes of the Israelite enemies.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Deuteronomy chapter 8
After reading chapter 8:
*More exhortation to keep the commandments, then a treatise on the Israelite's time wandering in the desert for 40 years. Apparently, it was a test to see if they would keep Yahweh's commands. The Manna was an object lesson to teach that "man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of Yahweh." But... They couldn't live on Yahweh's words, that's why they needed the manna, duh. (We are ignoring that in Exodus and Leviticus they were said to have large flocks and herds of animals which could have provided food.)
* We are now told that the Israelite's clothes miraculously did not wear out and their feet did not swell during the 40 years of wandering. (I'm guessing that passage is intended to answer an ancient Hebrew skeptic's questions.) Again with "obey the commands of Yahweh", because he is bringing them into a rich land. Plus, they better remember him after they find satisfaction in their new land. After all, he protected them in the desert and gave them the ubiquitous manna.
*Just like preachers around the globe today tell their flocks every Sunday, Moses tells the Israelites that they may think that everything they accomplish is by their own hands, but really it is God. He gave them the ability to to produce wealth and that just confirms his covenant. Win-win for Yahweh. Again, they better not forget it or they will be destroyed, just like the nations they, um God, destroyed. Hey, that last part is in the past tense, but they haven't destroyed the nations yet.
*More exhortation to keep the commandments, then a treatise on the Israelite's time wandering in the desert for 40 years. Apparently, it was a test to see if they would keep Yahweh's commands. The Manna was an object lesson to teach that "man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of Yahweh." But... They couldn't live on Yahweh's words, that's why they needed the manna, duh. (We are ignoring that in Exodus and Leviticus they were said to have large flocks and herds of animals which could have provided food.)
* We are now told that the Israelite's clothes miraculously did not wear out and their feet did not swell during the 40 years of wandering. (I'm guessing that passage is intended to answer an ancient Hebrew skeptic's questions.) Again with "obey the commands of Yahweh", because he is bringing them into a rich land. Plus, they better remember him after they find satisfaction in their new land. After all, he protected them in the desert and gave them the ubiquitous manna.
*Just like preachers around the globe today tell their flocks every Sunday, Moses tells the Israelites that they may think that everything they accomplish is by their own hands, but really it is God. He gave them the ability to to produce wealth and that just confirms his covenant. Win-win for Yahweh. Again, they better not forget it or they will be destroyed, just like the nations they, um God, destroyed. Hey, that last part is in the past tense, but they haven't destroyed the nations yet.
Monday, January 11, 2016
Deuteronomy chapter 7
After reading chapter 7:
*We shall call this the "sanctioned genocide" chapter. Here, Moses tells the Israelites that God will deliver 7 nations stronger than they are into the Israelite's hands. When that happens, they are to show no mercy and take no prisoners alive. Total destruction is the name of the game. All symbols of the worship of other Gods are also to be destroyed.
*God picked the Israelites as his special people because he loved them best. Why? Who knows. There is a caveat: they better keep his commands if they want to stay in his good graces. If they do, they will be blessed with an increase of population and material goods. No couple, animal or human, will be childless. As for the people who hate the Israelites, they will come down with horrible diseases, if they aren't slaughtered first.
*Moses tells the Israelites to remember what happened 40 years ago when they left Egypt. He tells them they saw it with their own eyes. However, we must remember that everyone who was over twenty at that time is now dead, except Joshua, Caleb and Moses. Plus, surely half of the Israelites alive at this time were not even born yet.
*Anyway, they are told not to be afraid, God will deal with the people they will drive out, the same way he dealt with the Egyptians. He will even send " the hornet" to find any survivors who may be hiding. This passage is a reiteration of what Yahweh told the Israelites in Exodus 23:23-30. The hornet appears there also and seems to be an agent of Yahweh's that is not very pleasant. As in Exodus, they are told it will take some time to drive all the people out. That is so the land won't become overrun with wild animals. In the meantime, everything will be in confusion, until the destruction is complete.
*Also, they are not to take any silver or gold from the people they conquer. It must be "set apart for destruction." The cynic in me wonders if that means it was supposed to be given to the priests.
*We shall call this the "sanctioned genocide" chapter. Here, Moses tells the Israelites that God will deliver 7 nations stronger than they are into the Israelite's hands. When that happens, they are to show no mercy and take no prisoners alive. Total destruction is the name of the game. All symbols of the worship of other Gods are also to be destroyed.
*God picked the Israelites as his special people because he loved them best. Why? Who knows. There is a caveat: they better keep his commands if they want to stay in his good graces. If they do, they will be blessed with an increase of population and material goods. No couple, animal or human, will be childless. As for the people who hate the Israelites, they will come down with horrible diseases, if they aren't slaughtered first.
*Moses tells the Israelites to remember what happened 40 years ago when they left Egypt. He tells them they saw it with their own eyes. However, we must remember that everyone who was over twenty at that time is now dead, except Joshua, Caleb and Moses. Plus, surely half of the Israelites alive at this time were not even born yet.
*Anyway, they are told not to be afraid, God will deal with the people they will drive out, the same way he dealt with the Egyptians. He will even send " the hornet" to find any survivors who may be hiding. This passage is a reiteration of what Yahweh told the Israelites in Exodus 23:23-30. The hornet appears there also and seems to be an agent of Yahweh's that is not very pleasant. As in Exodus, they are told it will take some time to drive all the people out. That is so the land won't become overrun with wild animals. In the meantime, everything will be in confusion, until the destruction is complete.
*Also, they are not to take any silver or gold from the people they conquer. It must be "set apart for destruction." The cynic in me wonders if that means it was supposed to be given to the priests.
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Deuteronomy chapter 6
After reading chapter 6:
*This chapter reiterates the command to be obedient and follow to Yahweh's laws as long as they shall live, if they want things to go well. Here is where we see the famous verses used in liturgies and prayers throughout the world. Verses 4-5, sometimes along with verses 6-9. "Hear, O Israel....." This is part of what is called the Shema. Verses 7-9 stress the indoctrination of children and the constant daily consideration that is to be given the commandments. These instructions were taken very literally and led to the invention of phylacteries and mezuzahs.
* The Israelites were also warned about getting too satisfied with the life they will have in the promised land and forgetting about God. There are reminders that Yahweh is jealous and will not tolerate the worship of other gods. He will get angry and destroy them if they do not keep his commands. If they are obedient, God will help them take over the land and get rid of their enemies. It must be noted here that the only reason the inhabitants of the land are the Israelite's enemies is because the Israelites want to take over, and they are naturally resistant to giving up what has been theirs for some time. Let's put it this way, how would you feel about a violent tribe of people coming into your town, confiscating all property and killing resisters because their God said they could?
*Then the Israelites are given a statement to repeat to their children if they should question the meaning of the laws and decrees.
Edited.
*This chapter reiterates the command to be obedient and follow to Yahweh's laws as long as they shall live, if they want things to go well. Here is where we see the famous verses used in liturgies and prayers throughout the world. Verses 4-5, sometimes along with verses 6-9. "Hear, O Israel....." This is part of what is called the Shema. Verses 7-9 stress the indoctrination of children and the constant daily consideration that is to be given the commandments. These instructions were taken very literally and led to the invention of phylacteries and mezuzahs.
* The Israelites were also warned about getting too satisfied with the life they will have in the promised land and forgetting about God. There are reminders that Yahweh is jealous and will not tolerate the worship of other gods. He will get angry and destroy them if they do not keep his commands. If they are obedient, God will help them take over the land and get rid of their enemies. It must be noted here that the only reason the inhabitants of the land are the Israelite's enemies is because the Israelites want to take over, and they are naturally resistant to giving up what has been theirs for some time. Let's put it this way, how would you feel about a violent tribe of people coming into your town, confiscating all property and killing resisters because their God said they could?
*Then the Israelites are given a statement to repeat to their children if they should question the meaning of the laws and decrees.
Edited.
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Deuteronomy chapter 5
After reading chapter 5:
*Moses again summons all Israel and makes another speech. He tells the Israelites that it was not their fathers that he made his covenant with, but them, those who were alive at that moment. This is patently false. The Israelites who were alive at this time weren't even considered adults at that time, forty years ago. Then Moses proceeds to talk to them as if it truly was they who were present at the reception of the "Ten Commandments." He reiterates the basic commands:
You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make and/ or worship idols.
You shall not misuse the name of Yahweh.
You shall observe the sabbath and keep it holy.
Honor your father and mother.
You shall not commit murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. (It dies not say you shall not lie.)
You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor. (Thought crime.)
* In verse 22, Moses says that God gave the Ten Commandments and added nothing more, then wrote them on stone and gave them to Moses. We are skipped over the forty days Moses spent on the mountain while God gave him hundreds of other rules and regulations, before the stone tablets were given to Moses. (Exodus chapters 20-31)
*Then Moses says a lot of baloney about how these Israelites, who had to have been minors at the time, responded to Moses and God. Supposedly, after God spoke to them from the fire and cloud on the mountain top, they were sufficiently awed and frightened to freely give all authority to converse with God personally to Moses, and they agreed to obey whatever Moses would tell them that God said. So, they better be careful to do what the lord said, if they want to live long and prosper.
*Deuteronomy refers to the place these events took place as Mount Horeb, where Exodus refers to it as Mount Sinai. It appears that no one actually knows where either of those places may have originally been located, or whether they are the same place.
*Moses again summons all Israel and makes another speech. He tells the Israelites that it was not their fathers that he made his covenant with, but them, those who were alive at that moment. This is patently false. The Israelites who were alive at this time weren't even considered adults at that time, forty years ago. Then Moses proceeds to talk to them as if it truly was they who were present at the reception of the "Ten Commandments." He reiterates the basic commands:
You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make and/ or worship idols.
You shall not misuse the name of Yahweh.
You shall observe the sabbath and keep it holy.
Honor your father and mother.
You shall not commit murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. (It dies not say you shall not lie.)
You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor. (Thought crime.)
* In verse 22, Moses says that God gave the Ten Commandments and added nothing more, then wrote them on stone and gave them to Moses. We are skipped over the forty days Moses spent on the mountain while God gave him hundreds of other rules and regulations, before the stone tablets were given to Moses. (Exodus chapters 20-31)
*Then Moses says a lot of baloney about how these Israelites, who had to have been minors at the time, responded to Moses and God. Supposedly, after God spoke to them from the fire and cloud on the mountain top, they were sufficiently awed and frightened to freely give all authority to converse with God personally to Moses, and they agreed to obey whatever Moses would tell them that God said. So, they better be careful to do what the lord said, if they want to live long and prosper.
*Deuteronomy refers to the place these events took place as Mount Horeb, where Exodus refers to it as Mount Sinai. It appears that no one actually knows where either of those places may have originally been located, or whether they are the same place.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Deuteronomy chapters 3 and 4
After reading chapters 3 and 4:
*In chapter 3, Moses retells the story of the defeat and decimation of the territory of Og, King of Bashan, told in Numbers 21, but with embellishments. The Deuteronomist emphasizes the great physical size of the people the Israelites encounter, much more than the author of Numbers did. Next, we are again told of the division of the land East of the Jordon to the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Mannaseh, in return for their help in conquering Canaan for the rest of the Israelites. Then, it is reiterated that Moses will not cross into the promised land, instead Joshua will lead the Israelites in the conquest of Canaan.
*In chapter 4, Moses tells them to remember what happened at Baal Peor. That story is found in Numbers 25. That was a lesson to teach them to obey all of Yahweh's commands when they enter the promised land. Supposedly, it will make all the other nations think the Israelites are special snowflakes and their God is the specialist snowflake of all. Then he asks them to remember when they stood before the lord at Horeb and recieved the ten commandments. There is one problem here. It was 40 years ago. Everyone alive in this chapter would have been under the age of twenty at that time, many not even born yet. Yahweh wasn't speaking to them at Mt. Horeb, but their parents and grandparents, and they are dead because of god's decree that none of them would live to enter the promised land, except Joshua and Caleb.
*Next, Moses reminds the Israelites that God is a jealous God and he will tolerate no idolatry of any kind. If they should practice idolatry, they will "quickly perish," be destroyed, and scattered among the nations so that only a few survive. (Here is one reason to think this book was put together after the exile, prophecy written after the fact.) There they would worship idols that do not see, hear, eat, or smell, instead of Yahweh, who also doesn't see hear, eat, or smell. However, later they would turn back to Yahweh and obey him, so that it would go well with them and they would live long in the land. The Israelites are asked,"has any other God taken a nation for himself by miraculous signs and wonders like Yaweh?" Apparently not. Then we are again told of the cities of refuge, one for each of the three clans that will be living on the east side of the Jordan. This ends the first speech of Moses in Deuteronomy.
*The stories of Balaam, and the slaughter of the Midianites, along with the keeping and distribution of the Midianite young women, are skipped.
Edited.
*In chapter 3, Moses retells the story of the defeat and decimation of the territory of Og, King of Bashan, told in Numbers 21, but with embellishments. The Deuteronomist emphasizes the great physical size of the people the Israelites encounter, much more than the author of Numbers did. Next, we are again told of the division of the land East of the Jordon to the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Mannaseh, in return for their help in conquering Canaan for the rest of the Israelites. Then, it is reiterated that Moses will not cross into the promised land, instead Joshua will lead the Israelites in the conquest of Canaan.
*In chapter 4, Moses tells them to remember what happened at Baal Peor. That story is found in Numbers 25. That was a lesson to teach them to obey all of Yahweh's commands when they enter the promised land. Supposedly, it will make all the other nations think the Israelites are special snowflakes and their God is the specialist snowflake of all. Then he asks them to remember when they stood before the lord at Horeb and recieved the ten commandments. There is one problem here. It was 40 years ago. Everyone alive in this chapter would have been under the age of twenty at that time, many not even born yet. Yahweh wasn't speaking to them at Mt. Horeb, but their parents and grandparents, and they are dead because of god's decree that none of them would live to enter the promised land, except Joshua and Caleb.
*Next, Moses reminds the Israelites that God is a jealous God and he will tolerate no idolatry of any kind. If they should practice idolatry, they will "quickly perish," be destroyed, and scattered among the nations so that only a few survive. (Here is one reason to think this book was put together after the exile, prophecy written after the fact.) There they would worship idols that do not see, hear, eat, or smell, instead of Yahweh, who also doesn't see hear, eat, or smell. However, later they would turn back to Yahweh and obey him, so that it would go well with them and they would live long in the land. The Israelites are asked,"has any other God taken a nation for himself by miraculous signs and wonders like Yaweh?" Apparently not. Then we are again told of the cities of refuge, one for each of the three clans that will be living on the east side of the Jordan. This ends the first speech of Moses in Deuteronomy.
*The stories of Balaam, and the slaughter of the Midianites, along with the keeping and distribution of the Midianite young women, are skipped.
Edited.
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Deuteronomy chapter 1 And 2
After reading chapter 1 and 2:
*There is a short introduction telling us it is the fortieth year and the first day of the eleventh month since the Israelites left Egypt. They are east of the Jordan, in the territory of Moab and Moses is going to speak. 1:6-4:40 is Moses's speech.
* In chapter 1, Moses tells the Israelites about God's promise of land, the choosing of the leaders of the twelve tribes, the sending out of the twelve spies, the people's unwillingness and fear to take over the promised land because of the size of the people, God's 40 year punishment of wandering in the wilderness, the attempt and failure to fight without God, and the beating by the Amorites.These stories are all repeats, mostly from the book of Numbers. However, in Numbers, they were beaten by Amalekites and Canaanites, not Amorites.
*In chapter 2, we have wording that does not occur in Numbers. Here we are told that the Israelites circumnavigated the hill country of Seir because that is where the descendants of Esau lived. They were told to respect them as brothers and pay them for any food and water they consumed. In Numbers, these people are called Edomites (chapter 20) and they deny the Israelites passage through their land after being asked. Plus, in Deuteronomy, God tells the Israelites not to provoke the descendants of Esau because he was not going to give the Israelites any of that land.
*Next, we are again skipped over the succeeding 38 years to the time when all the original fighting men of Israel had died. The Israelites were told not to harass the Moabites or Ammonites because their land was for Lot's descendants. We are given stories about what tribes were displaced so that the Moabites, Ammonites, and descendants of Esau could have the land they occupied.
*Next we are told of the battle with King Sihon of Heshbon. The Israelites ask to pass through his land and say that the Moabites and descendants of Esau were okay with that (verse29) but Numbers tells a different story. King Sihon refuses to let them pass. The Israelites completely destroy Sihon's land and people, with god's help. However, they didn't touch the land of the Ammonites, by god's command. In Numbers, it was because the Ammonite border was fortified. (21:24)
*There is a short introduction telling us it is the fortieth year and the first day of the eleventh month since the Israelites left Egypt. They are east of the Jordan, in the territory of Moab and Moses is going to speak. 1:6-4:40 is Moses's speech.
* In chapter 1, Moses tells the Israelites about God's promise of land, the choosing of the leaders of the twelve tribes, the sending out of the twelve spies, the people's unwillingness and fear to take over the promised land because of the size of the people, God's 40 year punishment of wandering in the wilderness, the attempt and failure to fight without God, and the beating by the Amorites.These stories are all repeats, mostly from the book of Numbers. However, in Numbers, they were beaten by Amalekites and Canaanites, not Amorites.
*In chapter 2, we have wording that does not occur in Numbers. Here we are told that the Israelites circumnavigated the hill country of Seir because that is where the descendants of Esau lived. They were told to respect them as brothers and pay them for any food and water they consumed. In Numbers, these people are called Edomites (chapter 20) and they deny the Israelites passage through their land after being asked. Plus, in Deuteronomy, God tells the Israelites not to provoke the descendants of Esau because he was not going to give the Israelites any of that land.
*Next, we are again skipped over the succeeding 38 years to the time when all the original fighting men of Israel had died. The Israelites were told not to harass the Moabites or Ammonites because their land was for Lot's descendants. We are given stories about what tribes were displaced so that the Moabites, Ammonites, and descendants of Esau could have the land they occupied.
*Next we are told of the battle with King Sihon of Heshbon. The Israelites ask to pass through his land and say that the Moabites and descendants of Esau were okay with that (verse29) but Numbers tells a different story. King Sihon refuses to let them pass. The Israelites completely destroy Sihon's land and people, with god's help. However, they didn't touch the land of the Ammonites, by god's command. In Numbers, it was because the Ammonite border was fortified. (21:24)
Friday, January 1, 2016
Introduction to Deuteronomy
I'm tempted to skip this book and move on, but I will resist. Perhaps I will find it more interesting than anticipated.
Before we begin, let's read the Wikipedia article on Deuteronomy. Here we see that scholars believe the books has roots in the 8th century B. C.E., but was added to and adapted over the time the Jews were in exile. The text attributes itself to Moses but that is highly unlikely. It is an awkward book that unnecessarily repeats much of what has already been stated, and doesn't seem to fit properly between Numbers and Joshua. Nevertheless, it has many passages with wording that has become iconic in the Hebrew and christian religions.
Before we begin, let's read the Wikipedia article on Deuteronomy. Here we see that scholars believe the books has roots in the 8th century B. C.E., but was added to and adapted over the time the Jews were in exile. The text attributes itself to Moses but that is highly unlikely. It is an awkward book that unnecessarily repeats much of what has already been stated, and doesn't seem to fit properly between Numbers and Joshua. Nevertheless, it has many passages with wording that has become iconic in the Hebrew and christian religions.
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