Deuteronomy 29-30 & Psalm 36

As Israel continues in its preparations to finally enter in to the Promised Land, Moses makes one last speech to them. In Deuteronomy 29 he gathers this "new generation" of Israel, who parents agreed to the covenant at Sinai, in Moab to renew the covenant.

Moses speaks of the faithful care of God to lead Israel through its wanderings, to defeat armies that have stood in the way, and to provide for the daily needs of Israel. He calls Israel to understand the individual and communal ramifications of agreeing to this covenant. There is the reminder of the blessings and curses and he exhorts Israel to live unlike other nations and live to God.

If Israel fails to live up to the covenant and God's wrath burns against them, the nations will bear witness to God's righteousness of action.

Yet, and this is a big yet, if Israel turns from destructive behavior and turns back to God, God will always be faithful. Even if they are exiled to the ends of the earth, God will gather Israel and redeem them, this is the promise laid out in Deuteronomy 30. This life, and that is what it is Life, is a gift from God and it is attainable. It is not some far off promise but a reality that is present.

Moses final exhortation to the Israelites is to choose life.

If commentators are correct, chapters 29 & 30 were written later in Israel's history, possibly during the exile. If so, the words that are offered are presented as a call to change. If the Israel is to ever find a home in the Promised Land again, they must turn back to God, who will redeem them.

Psalm 36

This Psalm is a prayer for help, but it takes its form from traditional Wisdom literature, that which you might find in Ecclesiastes or Proverbs. The Psalm itself contrasts the behavior of human wickedness versus God's goodness.

While the reason for the prayer is not offered, it is clear that the faithful one offering the prayer is besieged by the wickedness of those who do not follow God. However, there is a recognition that God shelters those who are abused by the wicked and that God is more powerful than the evildoer. The faithful shall "feast on the abundance of [God's] house."