Sunday, April 18, 2021

Deuteronomy's Bookends of Grace

And I commanded you at that time all the things which ye should do.
Deuteronomy 1:18
 
"While it is true that the majority of the book and the center of the book 
 
---are occupied with laws (Deut. 5–26
---and the consequences of keeping or breaking those laws (Deut. 27–30), 
---this “law” section is surrounded by grace
---The first four chapters are in effect an account of how gracious God has been to Israel in the past.
 
---So, God’s grace in the past serves as the context and motivation for Israel’s keeping the law.
---Likewise, the last four chapters are in effect an account of how gracious God will be to Israel in the future. 
 
So also, God’s grace in the future serves as the context and motivation for Israel’s keeping the law
Thus, in the book of Deuteronomy, the law is surrounded by grace, and keeping the law is a response to grace received and anticipated." Crossway