Deuteronomy 4:1 “Now, Isra’el, listen to the laws and rulings I am teaching you, in order to follow them, so that you will live; then you will go in and take possession of the land that Adonai, the God of your fathers, is giving you. 2 In order to obey the mitzvot of Adonai your God which I am giving you, do not add to what I am saying, and do not subtract from it., 6 Therefore, observe them; and follow them; for then all peoples will see you as having wisdom and understanding. When they hear of all these laws, they will say, ‘This great nation is surely a wise and understanding people.’ 7 For what great nation is there that has God as close to them as Adonai our God is, whenever we call on him? 8 What great nation is there that has laws and rulings as just as this entire Torah which I am setting before you today? 9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves diligently as long as you live, so that you won’t forget what you saw with your own eyes, so that these things won’t vanish from your hearts. Rather, make them known to your children and grandchildren — (Complete Jewish Bible).
God's commandments are like a fence carefully placed around a garden or vineyard. Through the gift of law, God gives us a boundary, both to protect the community God has planted and to contain it from getting out of control. Still today, you and the ones you gather with in God's name are a part of that "precious planting" (Isaiah 5), sown and nurtured by God's own loving hand. And God has not left you without instruction, a fence to help you live and flourish and bear good fruit.
But notice also in these verses that the fence God has made is not so high that the neighbors can't see and admire what's going on. "See how near God is to them!" they exclaim. "See how just, wise, and discerning this people is!" You have been joined to a people whose deeper purpose is witness. Remember that as you honor the boundaries God has set for you and your disciple community, you do so ultimately so that others will be drawn to the goodness of the Gardener and desire to be grafted into the Vine.
God our gardener, thank you for giving us instruction to help us grow and prosper. Strengthen us to follow your teaching so that those around us might recognize that you are near. Amen.
Mark D. Williamson, '05
Pastor, Grace Lutheran Church, Dodgeville, Wis.
Deuteronomy 4:1 So now, Israel, give heed to the statutes and ordinances that I am teaching you to observe, so that you may live to enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you.2 You must neither add anything to what I command you nor take away anything from it, but keep the commandments of the Lord your God with which I am charging you. ...
6 You must observe them diligently, for this will show your wisdom and discernment to the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people!"
7 For what other great nation has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is whenever we call to him?
8 And what other great nation has statutes and ordinances as just as this entire law that I am setting before you today?
9 But take care and watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children's children. (New Revised Standard Version).
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