Assemble the people, men, women, and little ones, and the sojourner within your towns, that they may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, and be careful to do all the words of this law, and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.
Deuteronomy 31:12-13
Regular and consistent exposure to the reading of the Law of God was meant to be part of regular life in Israel. The Feast of Booths was to be celebrated yearly. In it the people commemorated the wilderness wanderings by living in "tents" made of palm branches. During that time when the routine was purposefully shaken up, emphasis was placed on God's Law. Every seven years, this feast centered on the public reading of the Law (perhaps just the book of Deuteronomy) from cover to cover.
The goal of this was twofold: it served as a reminder AND it passed on a commitment to a new generation. Twice in this passage this is explained by the phrase "learn to fear the LORD your God." The Law existed as a means to understand and relate to God.
I believe Christians ought to have constant exposure to the Bible for the same reason. And in a culture as literate as mine is, I think such exposure is a daily necessity. Taking the time to reflect on God's Word shows where we learn to respect and trust God.
- Posted with my iPad. The Apple Kool-Aide tastes fine.
No comments:
Post a Comment