Deuteronomy 16-18 Notice how there are historical reasons given for the instructions to observe the Passover: (16:3) "For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread with [your sacrifices]--the bread of affliction--because you came out of the land of Egypt in great haste, so that all the days of your life you may remember the day of your departure from the land of Egypt." Notice, too, how future generations are in their re-enactment of Passover, considering themselves part of the group that made the Exodus journey. And note how the Festival of Weeks, an early harvest festival, is to be observed (16:11-12): the whole community, whether slave or free, whether Israelite or not, whether poor or well off: "Remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and diligently observe these statutes." I love that times are set aside specifically for celebrating and rejoicing. Not for getting extra work done around the house, or for having a big sale at the mall. For celebrating and relaxing together. Amazing!
As Moses reminds them to set up a justice system, look at his colorful language about bribes: "a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of those who are in the right. Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, so that you may live and occupy the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
As Chapter 17 continues this concern with justice, note that it is really serious to be a witness against somebody; because if they are convicted, the witness must be one of those that casts the stones which kill the criminal. Also note the concern that nobody may be condemned to death unless there are at least two witnesses. Note also the big role that is envisioned for the Levites and priests as judges and consultants on matters of justice.
And notice in 17:14 and following how Moses discusses the possibility of a king. Note how it seems that God doesn't think it is a very good idea--it's an idea that comes from the people "like all the nations that are around [us]" . But if they have to have a king, then he must be Israelite; he must not acquire many wives or horses or wealth. Of course, as we read further, we will discover that these are the very temptations that Saul, David, and Solomon fall into!
Note in Chapter 18 how the concern is for the Israelites to stay entirely loyal to the LORD and not to fall into the religious ritual habits of the neighboring nations.
Finally, note how in 18:22, a prophet's reliability can only be judged after the fact, not prospectively.
Psalm 58 How comfortable are you with the idea of asking God for vengeance on one's enemies? This psalm makes me squirm. Again, remember that the prayers of the psalmist may not necessarily all be prayers that we should emulate.
Luke 4 Jesus, returning from his baptism has his own wilderness experience. Like the prophets. Like John the Baptizer who lives in the wilderness. Like Moses. Like the Israelites. Each of the Gospel writers has a different way of saying what happened to Jesus in the wilderness. In Luke, the Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness. (In Mark, the Spirit drives him into the wilderness! Not exactly the Comforter we see portrayed in John. At least not on the surface. Comfort really is about making one stronger, and sometimes that requires leading us where we don't necessarily want to go.) Matthew and Luke both tell the story of the Temptation of Jesus. Note the differences in the order that the temptations are presented. What might that mean to the emphasis of each of these gospel writers?
Note how in Luke, the rejection of Jesus and his ministry comes at the very beginning. And note how his time in the wilderness has enabled Jesus to understand and articulate his vision for his mission. Then look at how in a few short verses Luke gives us a sense of a typical day in Jesus' ministry in Judea.
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