The book of Deuteronomy sets a legal foundation (especially found in chapter 28) for later events of social and political history in ancient Israel. What will happen to its people is all up to their faithfulness to their God and his covenant. It is believed that the northern kingdom of Israel originally produced the legal sections of the book and later edited and added by the priests who escaped to Judah during the Assyrian invasion. So it seems they could tell people about the future events. (Stanley, 257).
The Deuteronomistic History (DH) is generally considered to be in connection with the book of Deuteronomy. According to Professor Mariottini, Deuteronomy is viewed as an introduction to the Deuteronomistic History. Joshua, 1 Samuel, 2 Kings, and 2 Chronicles are among the DH books, which are classified as prophetic books in the Hebrew Bible. These books give accounts of Israel’s life from the days of Joshua in the promised land until the destruction of Jerusalem in 587 B.C.E. From Deut. 28:47-52; 28:63-64, we could see the historical purpose of these prophetic writings is to demonstrate the exile of Israel as an outcome of their violation of the covenant demanded by the Lord, their God. (Mariottini, Historiography).
Deuteronomy 28:1-68
This passage contains the whole 28th chapter of Deuteronomy, which is commonly known as the law of blessing and cursing. It is very crucial for Israel to follow the guidance and demand of the covenant of the Lord their God. Whether they will experience prosperity or they will face destruction. It all depends on their choice and effort (faithfulness to Yahweh and his covenant). Their decisions of faithfulness or unfaithfulness will bring about their social and historical outcomes. If the Israelites obey Yahweh, he will bless them above all nations; if they disobey him, they will be cursed and Yahweh will send a nation to destroy their land and take them captive. (vv. 41, 49-52). This is very profound and powerful prophetic message to Israel. It seems things are looming so bleak in the horizon.
I am so amazed that the list of blessings is shorter (vv.1-14) than that of curses (vv.15-68). This intrigues me to think that this covenant is more demanding from Yahweh the God of Israel. It seems that he was a just god and was willing to punish his people heavily without mercy if they don’t obey him. However, I also think that nobody on the face of this earth could ever live up to this standard. This passage is a basic and typical form of the DH, in which it carries the “if … then” clause of the law of blessing and curse Yahweh established with the people of Israel.
Joshua 23:1-16
Deuteronomic law of Yahweh’s covenant with Israelite people is shown to be reaffirmed by Joshua in this passage. Joshua was getting very old in the last days of his life (v.1). He reviewed their accomplishments with God. He encouraged them to continue and be careful to “love the Lord” their God (v.11). Then Joshua warned the Israelites not to turn away from the Lord and join the rest of the nations remaining among them (v.12). He reaffirmed that God would provide as long as they kept his covenant, but that the anger of the Lord would come upon them if they would violate it, worship and serve other gods, and Joshua affirmatively told them to “hold fast to Yahweh or they “shall perish” from the good land." (vv.14-16).
I am aware that Joshua emphasizes this covenant law of Yahweh with Israel. Yahweh has helped Joshua and his people conquer Canaan. It indicates the faithfulness of Yahweh the God of Israel that he has kept his promise to give them the land. However, I could see that it is always the duty or responsibility of us the beneficiaries (the lesser party) to follow the demand of the Lord God. It seems a little bit suspicious here due to the strictness of Yahweh, who is willing to chastise us with a rod of curses that correspond to our violation of the law.
1 Samuel 12:1-25
I am puzzled here because it is very hard to understand the DH plot. I am reminded last three chapters of the book of Judges how anarchically and chaotically people lived and acted when there was no king in Israel in those days. It seems that Israel needed a king to rule over its people. I think it is reasonable to ask for a king to lead the nation but it does not appear to be pleasing to Yahweh to have a human king in place of divine leadership. Then both the king and his people would have to strictly obey and serve Yahweh faithfully and wholeheartedly. Otherwise, they would be seriously punished and destroyed. Again, I see the Deuteronomic law of blessing and curse reinstated here.
2 Kings
17:5-18
Here I see the theme of Deuteronomic law repeated and reminded so that Yahweh’s people could remember the covenant Yahweh made with their forefathers. When his people violated the covenant and did not obey Yahweh’s command, they had to suffer the consequence as it was pronounced in the law of blessing and curse. Again, it was too much for human beings to bear in satisfying the divine demands. Sometimes, I see it so ridiculous and ironical and beyond human capacity. As we know, no one is perfect so they will sooner or later fail to keep the law or to repent of their sins and transgressions, then they will fall prey to the trap/trick of the law—punishment. Is it a fair-play game for Israel or for us today?
2 Chronicles 36:11-21
This passage gives a final touch on the fate of the southern kingdom of Judah. King Zedekiah was enthroned. Unfortunately, he was the last king of Judah. He wouldn’t be able to put Judah back on the right and godly track with Yahweh. He did evil before the Lord; he rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar the Babylonian king even if he was warned by Jeremiah the prophet sent by Yahweh (vv.12-13). Yahweh All the people of Judah were at fault and equally responsible for their doom future. Jerusalem fell at the hand of the Babylonians and God’s chosen people were taken captive and deported to exile in Babylonia for 70 years (vv.20-21), just like the prophet Jeremiah predicted. Yahweh’s temple was destroyed (v.19). All these happened due to their unfaithfulness to Yahweh their God and his covenant.
What had been warned earlier in other books against Yahweh’s people in the southern kingdom of Judah was fulfilled here due to their disobedience of the covenant law indicates a Deuteronomic thread that is coherently interwoven into a bigger picture of the DH plot.
The DH books give us a good overview of ancient Israel’s life as well as that of ancient Near East in terms of social and political history. It sheds light on understanding how society of that time operated according to the guidelines of divine covenants with territorial deities or gods as a whole and Yahweh the God of Israel as an individual. It is moral and supports justice and balance in ancient Israelite society as well as any society so far. It is more like the law of the land, where people together live and develop for the prosperity and well-being of one another under the divine guidance of the Lord God.
As a modern reader of these texts, I am convinced that these were written to Yahweh’s people in the period of Joshua’s days and the end of the Judean monarchy, and for his chosen people, including us Christians as the people of faith today. However, I find it somewhat irrelevant to people of modern time. They might think it would be better to stay out of the game (the covenant) than to be part of it because the benefit it brings is not worthwhile—the loss may be more than the gain.
I see two chief positions held by Christians on these Deuteronomic codes. Some believe that if they fear God and follow his instructions they will be blessed and prosperous; on the other hand, if they disobey his command and turn away from him, they will be punished and cursed such as Jehovah’s witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists, prosperity theology teaching churches, etc. But many believe that God is a loving God of grace and mercy, he will not do harm or intend destruction on his dear people even if they don’t listen to him or disregard him because the Deuteronomistic law does not apply to them as Christians. Instances like these are most of the mainline churches, independent grace churches, etc.
* Bibliography:
Stanley, Christopher. The Hebrew Bible: A Comparative Approach. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2009.
Marriottini, Claude. Historiography. http://claudemariottini.com/2010/11/15/historiography/
Daniel, thanks for your post. I think it is interesting that you mentioned the different positions held by various churches based on the Deuteronomistic Codes. When you discussed the ideaology the prosperity churches hold, I immediately thought of Joel Osteen and his quote (that was later taken down) "don't tell God about your big problems, tell your big problems about your big God." (something along those lines). It is interesting how some of the Deuteronomistic teaching is seen even in that quote. Great post.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Daniel! I think it's interesting that you mention prosperity gospel as an outcome of Deuteronomistic thinking. I was also thinking about it in that context. I appreciate your acknowledgment of the ways churches tend to interpret these ideas. I also find two distinct viewpoints - one embracing and one rejecting. I wonder if there is a middle ground that would inform us? I appreciate the ample historical context you provided. Peace.
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