As Moses recounts the story of the Golden Calf and the rebellion of Israel, he reminds Israel, in Deuteronomy 10, that he returned to the mountain so that he could get two new tablets on which God writes the covenant to replace the tablets Moses threw down upon seeing the calf. Don't you love God's finger pointing, "I will write on the tablets the words that were on the former tablets which you smashed." This is just one of the many ways in scripture that God seems very "relateable."
In the second half of the tenth chapter, Moses outlines the social justice aspect of this faith. This new society is based upon all of Israel fearing the Lord, walking in his ways, loving him and serving God with all of our hearts and souls. Why must we do this, because God loved us as strangers first, so we too are called to care for others. This chapter offers balance to the heavily legalistic language of previous chapters. The laws are given so that people might build a better place.
I suppose it might seem like some of these chapters are getting repetitive and perhaps they are, but I think that is the point which Moses is trying to get across to the Israelites. God has done amazing things in the past, is doing amazing things now and will continue to do amazing things in the future, if but Israel just walks the path God is laying out.
In very practical terms, God makes this real. In Egypt, farming was primarily done by utilizing the Nile River to irrigate the lands. In Canaan, the country side is more dependent upon rain from heaven. God promises Israel that they will find water in abundance to farm, to raise livestock for the Lord will provide.
Romans 1
The letter to the church in Rome is Paul's fullest theological expose. Some believe that it was most likely written while Paul was imprisoned and he sent to the church in Rome as an introduction to himself. From the Book of Acts we know that the church in Rome predates Paul and that he is not the founder. From others it is believed that Paul wrote this letter on his way back to the Jerusalem at the end of his second missionary journey.
The purpose of the letter might be related to the tension going on in Rome between the Roman authorities, the Jewish community, the Gentile Christians and the Jewish Christians. I know, that is a lot of acts. During the 50's, there was much tension between Jews in Rome and Roman authorities, eventually Emperor Claudius expelled the Jews from Rome and historians record this is because of "Chrestus" who has created a stir in the community. The purpose of the letter could be after the return of the Jews to Rome, tension has developed between the Gentile Christians and Jewish Christians. Gee, that's not surprising as it seems to be a recurring theme in the New Testament.
The shape of the Letter to the Romans takes on the classic Hellenized form with an introduction with an offering of grace, a main body and a salutation. As Paul opens his letter he offers and introduction of himself and the purpose of his writing. He names himself as one set aside by God for the purpose of proclaiming the Good News. This Good News is knowledge of God and God's righteousness which Paul then sets opposite those who have turned from God and now pursue delights of the flesh. Paul speaks of how God has let go of those who have fallen prey to sin, which in this case is an indictment of the Gentiles.
Paul, having said this to emphasize the grace that God has offered to Gentiles and in this case Romans who have accepted the Word, for the heart of the letter is about the righteousness of God. The power of the Gospel is that God reveals this righteousness to the whole world, which is way Paul finds no shame in it.
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