Deuteronomy Deuteronomy
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A PATRISTIC COMMENTARY The Book of DEUTERONOMY FR. TADROS Y. MALATY 2005 Translated by DR. GEORGE BOTROS English Text revised by Dr. Nora El-Agamy COPTIC ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CENTER Orange – California ST. MARK COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH 6 Washington D. C. USA 7 THE DIVINE COVENANT AS A SUPPORT FOR OUR DAILY LIFE The Book of Deuteronomy is a group of farewell talks by the prophet Moses, the first leader of the people of God, when he was 120 years old, before his departure from this world. He presented them to the new generation, which was born in the wilderness, and was about to enter into the Promised Land, under the guidance of Joshua the son of Nun. The Holy Spirit inspired these talks, in order that the commandment of God would be their guide and Law in the new land. They were talks by a father to his children or grandchildren; to give them his practical spiritual experiences, as conforming to the new generation; in a simple historical and behavioral way; aiming with the goal of becoming a support to every soul, to cross over and to inherit. What did the prophet Moses present to his people before his departure from this world? He presented a convention, or a constitution of love; given by God to His very beloved people; whom He has chosen and sanctified to be dedicated only to Him. The prophet Moses represents the “Law,” that leads us to the Lord Christ and to His Kingdom; and reveals to us the royal way, which brings us to the bosom of God the Father. That is why the book of Deuteronomy came as an invitation, directed to every believer who longs to enter into the heavenly Canaan, under the leadership of our Lord “Jesus” the Savior of the world, to carry the divine commandment in a spiritual concept. It prepares his depths, as well as his words and behavior, to set forth to the new heavenly life, through the work of the Holy Spirit of God; to accept the entry into the divine covenant, set by God with His beloved people; who would pay back love for love; through joyful obedience to His commandment. It is a book that is convenient to every era; and that motivates every soul to cross over as though to heaven; to strive incessantly, in the sweetness of spirit; to continue her journey under the exalted shadow of God; to grow incessantly; and to fight with no fear or disturbance; in the shadow of a new covenant, presented to her by her Christ; to live free of any bondage, and to set forth to heaven. These talks concentrate on the “divine covenant.” Our constitution in our daily journey is not bare ethical laws, but a living confrontation; and a union with God, who, from His side, presents to us a covenant, in which He proclaims that He carries us on His arms, the way a father carries his son. It is a covenant, in which God presents to us the “Spirit of adoption;” and reveals to us our new position as His chosen and treasured possession; who have exalted rights, with a spirit of commitment on our part (Deut. 7:6-15). This covenant governs our inner life, our feelings, and our family, social, religious, and national behavior; and even our relationship with beasts and birds. If this book concentrates on God’s commandment , that reveals God’s love and His 8 longing to sanctify us; it is to proclaim to the believer his belonging to the people of God, as a royal kingdom and a holy nation. Finally, the last month in Moses’ life, reveals what the heart of that greatest among the prophets embraced; as man, when he feels that the moment of his departure from this world is very imminent, he pours out his depths. What does the heart of the prophet Moses embrace? Four closely-connected things; that constitute the secret of the strength of his ministry; which are: * The divine comm andment: by which he was preoccupied all along the days of his ministry until his last breath; being a divine heavenly treasure, through which we respond to God’s love, and enter with Him into an eternal covenant. * The praise : Before his departure, he presented a final praise, to proclaim that his soul would never cease to rejoice until his last breath. * Blessing his people : Despite all the troubles he suffered from his people, he ended his life by words of blessing to each of the tribes. * Creating the spirit of leadership : In the form of a cross, he placed his hands on the head of his disciple Joshua the son of Nun; to encourage him not to fear or be dismayed, until he brings all the people, together with the civil and religious leaderships, to the land of Canaan, the symbol of heaven. By that he left after him great leaders. Those four things (the commandment; the life of rejoice and praise; blessing others; and encouraging the spirit of leadership), are the secret of his success all along the days of his ministry. Fr. Tadros Y. Malaty St. George and St. Anthony Church Ottawa – Canada February, 1999 9 AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY THE NAME OF THE BOOK The name of this book, in almost all the modern languages, came derived from the two Greek words: ‘ Deutero ,’ meaning “two” or “the second;” and ‘nomion ,’ meaning, “law.” That is why it is called in English ‘Deuteronomy.’ In the Hebrew language, this book carries four names: 1. In the Hebrew origin it is called ‘ elleh haddebarim ;’ and abridged to ‘ debarim ;” namely, ‘ these are the words ,” which are the first words of the first chapter of this book. 2. ‘ Kith ;’ namely, the fifth book of the Law . 3. The book of rebuke or advices ‘seper tokahoth ;’ especially as far as chapter 28 is concerned. It seems that this dignified old leader, realized that, being in his last moments, there was no more time for niceties with the people; but he had to be firm. It was fitting for the people to whom all that love was given; especially through the forty years of ministry of the prophet Moses, to carry the fear of God; and to realize how frightful is the falling in His hands. 4. It is also called ‘ misneh hattotra ’ or ‘ misneh ;’ meaning, ‘a copy’ (see Deut. 17:18). In the Septuagint version, it is called ‘ deuteros namos ;’ namely, (the Second Law); probably because in (Deut.17:18 LXX ) it came as “ a copy of this Law,” or is intended to be a Second Law, beside what came in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. What came here, is not to be considered a repetition of what came in those three books, but is rather an explanation of the Law in the light of what happened through the forty years in the wilderness. It is a parade, to the new generation, presented by the prophet Moses, a month before their entrance into the land of Canaan, and before his departure; in order that all of them would be qualified by obedience, springing from faith, and by the practical divine love. It is a perpetual reminding of the Law of God: “ Bind them as a sign on your hand; fix them as an emblem on your forehead; and write them on the doorpost of your house and on your gates ” (Deut. 6:8, 9). HISTORY OF ITS WRITING According to the Jewish tradition, accepted by the Christian tradition, it was written in the plains of Moab, east of Jericho, east of the River Jordan; by the end of the forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Those talks, whose writing covered about a month of the year 1405 BC, began to be read on the first day of the eleventh month of the fortieth year, after the exodus from the land of Egypt (Deut. 1:3), following the victory over king Sihon of the Amorites, and king Og of Bashan (Deut. 1:4). It is noteworthy that the author of the book of Deuteronomy does not refer to the events prior to the possession of Canaan; does not include anything about the division of the kingdom; about the persecution and affliction by the Philistines; nor about the events mentioned in the book of the Judges. Moreover, the two phrases “ All Israel ,” and “ the portion given to you by 10 God ,” both reveal that the writing of this book conforms to that particular time. And it is also obvious that the two chapters 33 and 34 were written shortly after the departure of Moses from this world. THE KEY OF THIS BOOK The key of this book is the covenant of love and obedience. The word ‘ love’ comes 22 times in this book. As to obedience, as presented by this book, it is a practical response to God’s love for man. Without obedience, man loses the taste of love; As man longs to be loved, he also longs to love; Obedience is a sign of the freedom of human will, that expresses its love in a practical way. In Psalm 103:7, it came: “ He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the people of Israel .” The children of Israel knew the works of God; yet they did not recognize Him according to the knowledge of a living encounter; Moses, on the other hand, knew God’s ways; namely, through a practical knowledge. This book came as a fruit of this knowledge; combined with an experience of forty years in the wilderness.