Deuteronomy 8-9 & Acts 28

Moses continues in Deuteronomy 8 to remind Israel that it is God who has brought them into the Promised Land; God who took time to teach them and show them how God will care for and provide for Israel. No matter what happens in the land, no matter how prosperous the people become, they must not forget that it is God who is doing this. They must not take on haughty airs, as if they have done something grand, for it is not their doing but the Lord's.

The theme continues in Deuteronomy 9 as Moses promises Israel that the Lord will lead them into battle and they will defeat even the mighty offspring of the Anakim. But God will do this not because of Israel's righteousness, no God does it because of the wickedness of the present residents of Canaan. Moses takes great pain to remind Israel that they have failed time and again to live up to the covenant and that they are not righteous. The Lord is doing these things because of God's righteousness not Israel's.

This is a bold claim against national self-righteousness and triumphalism. Certainly a reminder to all of the Judeo-Christian family tree who try and place themselves in positions of grandeur and exaltation.

Acts 28

On the island of Malta, Paul continues in his witness, first being bitten by a viper and not being harmed, then by healing the father of Publius and others on the island. It would seem that Paul has some freedom on the island and they wait out the winter til they can sail again.

Finally, as winter passes they set sail again, aboard a boat with Twin Brothers, probably Castor and Pollux, sons of Zeus who are associated with safe passages on the seas. They sail up the western coast of Italy, and come upon believers on many of the stops, which means that the Gospel has already come to Italy, Paul is not the first to preach the Good News there.

As is his wont, Paul meets with the Jews of Rome and again proclaims his ministry and offers his defense. Some respond in faith, others do not. We leave Acts with Paul under a form of house arrest, but still vibrantly proclaiming the Good News.