Deuteronomy 12-14 & Romans 2

After exhorting Israel to live according to the commandments laid out by God at Sinai or Horeb, Moses begins a further explanation of these commandments in Deuteronomy 12. Corresponding to the first commandment, that God is the God of Israel and that they should have no other god, Moses warns the people to destroy all things related to the gods of the Canaanites when they enter the land.

All altars must be pulled down, sacred items must be destroyed by fire, supposed sacred locations must be completely demolished. Israel is not even to worship God in these places, for God will appoint locations within each tribal region to worship God. The names of these former gods must be wiped from the land, so that even the memory of the names cease to exist.

Since the people are in the land that God has given them, he relaxes certain rules pertaining to slaughtering of animals for food, no longer must they offer them as sacrifices to God. Instead, they may kill the animal and carefully drain the blood which is to be poured out onto the ground and then they may partake of it.

However, appropriate sacrifices must still be brought to the place that God appoints for proper religious practices.

Towards the end of the 12th chapter, Moses warns the people not to imitate the practices of the peoples that God is removing from the land, this warning continues into Deuteronomy 13. Normally, the truth of the prophet is seen in his proclamations coming true and occuring, however, even if a prophet of another god pronounces words that come true, Israel is not to follow this prophet or the god he speaks of, instead this man must be put to death. As a matter of fact, even if it is a family member, they must be put to death. If it is heard that someone in a community a ways off, then they must go and destroy that person and their property.   Israel must remain pure and holy and these steps are taken to insure that Israel remains true in its worship of God.

Deuteronomy 14 continues in prohibition against pagan practices and then reviews the foods that Israel may eat. It also speaks of the need to set aside a tithe that will be given to the Lord.

Romans 2

Picking up on the tendency of humanity to sin, Paul emphasizes the sin of those who judge others when they themselves have failed to live up to God's commands. All who sin will be judged accordingly, whether those who live under the law or not. Paul points out that it is not the hearers of the word who are saved, but instead those who do the Law. This opens the door to Gentiles who might not know of the Law but live in a manner consistent with it.

The last half of the 2nd chapter might be seen as an attack on Judaism but more accurately it condemns "arrogant" Jews who speak one way and live another. He points out that the true circumcision for the Jews is of the heart.