Warren D. Carter

Vienna Int’l Chapel

1.June.03

What Does God Want from Us ?

An introduction to a little-known approach of understanding ancient Hebrew literature – which provides some clues about the answer to this important question for Christians living in today’s world … from the ages old book of Deuteronomy. A survey of the fifth book of Moses will give us an overview from the traditional perspective, including insights into Semitic cultures. Join us for this look into the Father’s heart!

Deuteronomy Structure – Chiasmus

We’ve said that structure is very important – noting that carefully balanced structures exist at virtually all levels of analysis … and now we want to take some increasingly closer looks at Deuteronomy, using chiastic structural analysis to enhance our grasp of what God is trying to say to us.

To quickly summarize our previous lesson, a chiasmus is often the result of Hebrew poetry that has been formed on a synthetic, introverted basis – where the middle or center-section provides us with the primary point or principle being communicated by the author.

Let’s look at the Torah, the Five Books of Moses, as a whole:

Genesis – beginnings

Exodus – leaving Egypt

Leviticus – holiness

Numbers – leaving Sinai

Dueteronomy – final preparations before entering the land

We can see here, that the primary emphasis of the Torah is on Leviticus, and the importance of living a holy life before God. Leviticus was written during the one year period that Israel spent at the foot of Mount Sinai (Horeb) after receiving the Ten Commandments. It focuses on the nature of worship and the spiritual life of the nation of Israel. It includes very specific laws and regulations pertaining to: the tabernacle, ceremonial cleanliness, holy days & feasts, Sabbath & Jubilee years, a code of moral laws, the offering/ sacrificial system, establishment of the priesthood, atonement via blood, and practical holiness. From a chiasmus standpoint, God’s primary concern can be seen as the spiritual life of His people – as expressed in worship and daily life.

Numbers is named after two (2) censuses that were taken 40 years apart: the 1st was taken at the time of Israel’s preparation to leave Mt. Sinai, and the 2nd was done at the end of their 40 years’ of wandering in the desert, as they camped on the plains of Moab, on the Jordan, across from Jericho – which confirmed that all the adult males who initiated the journey had passed away (save Joshua, Caleb, and at that point Moses.)

Remember earlier on, when we said that Deuteronomy was a pastoral version of Leviticus – a warmer, exhortational version … less emphasis on the code of laws, and more on personal/ community application. Nonetheless, what we see in Leviticus as standards being set for personal and corporate holiness as the focus of the law, is in Deuteronomy, entrenched in the hearts and minds of this “new” nation of Israel.

Continuing on, if we follow the development of the Hebrew canon, the next block of books is referred to as the “Former Prophets”: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, & Kings.

Genesis – Exodus – Leviticus – Numbers

Deuteronomy

Joshua – Judges – Samuel – Kings

Deuteronomy represents the completion or culmination of the Torah, the Pentateuch, or the Five Books of Moses. It is also the beginning of the “Former Prophets”, in that it describes the transition in leadership from Moses to Joshua. So it forms a “bridge”, or center-point, between the “Fathers” and the “Former Prophets”. Once again, the symmetry involved is readily apparent, with the book of Deuteronomy as the focal point – and using our chiastic lens, we can see the central importance of Deuteronomy to the establishment of the nation of Israel … and hence, to the people of God – the Body of Christ – even to this present day.

Due to this significance, we now want to examine the entire book of Deuteronomy with our new chiastic tools. We’ve already seen the first few chapters separated out as a block, from the traditional outlines that have been presented. But what is the “core” of the book? Allow me to suggest:

Deuteronomy

1:1–4:43 History & Promises

4:44–11:32 Requirements of the Covenant

12:1–34:12 Future History & Promises

a more-detailed outline of the History & Promises section (chap 1:1-4:43) reveals some of these high points:

(a) God’s providence in their midst vv.1:1-3:29

(b) promises of the covenant vv.1:8 + 1:30-31 + 4:31 + 4:37-40

(c) consequences of rebellion vv.1:32-46 + 2:14-15 + 4:26

(d) instructions to commission Joshua vv.1:37-39 + 3:28

(e) a call to holy living vv.4:1-4

(f) listen and obey vv. 4:5-14

(g) exhortation to pass this onto future generations vv.4:9-10

(h) a warning against idolatry vv.4:15-26

(i) Moses’ announcement that he will soon die vv.4:21-22

(j) prophecy of Israel’s disobedience and God’s judgment vv.4:27-31

(k) declaration that there is only one true God vv.4:32-36

(l) identifying the cities of refuge vv.4:41-43

a similar analysis of the Future History & Promises section (chap 12:1–34:12) shows many of the same high points are repeated:

(a) God’s providence in their midst vv.29:1-8 + 31:30-32:14

(b) conditions & blessings of the covenant vv.12:5-7 + 26:16-19 + 28:1-14 + 29:9-29

(c) consequences of rebellion vv.27:11-26 + 28:15-62

(d) commissioning of Joshua vv.31:3-8 + :14-:15 + :23

(e) detailed expectations of the covenant/ a call to holy living vv.12:8-32 + 14:1-18:22 + 19:14-27:10 + 30:1-20 + 33:1-29

(f) listen and obey vv.12:28 + :32 + 13:18 + 26:16-19 + 28:1

(g) exhortation to pass this onto future generations vv.31:9-13 + 32:44-47

(h) a warning against idolatry vv.13:1-18

(i) Moses’ announcement that he will soon die vv.31:1-2 + 32:48-52 + 34:1-12

(j) prophecy of Israel’s disobedience and God’s judgment vv.28:63-68 + 31:16-22 + :24-29 + 32:15-43

(k) declaration that there is only one true God vv.12:2-4 + :29-31

(l) identifying the cities of refuge vv.19:1-13

Given the importance of the central section in chiastic logic, let’s turn our attention to chapters 4:44-11:32 entitled Requirements of the Covenant and analyze this a bit further:

Deut 4:44-11:32 – Requirements of the Covenant

A. The law and the blessings from obedience vv.4:44-5:33

B. The power of love vv.6:1-25

▬ teach future generations

▬ keep Word in heart, hand, forehead, and door posts

C. The land – a good land, prepare to take it vv.7:1-8:20

D. Don’t be stubborn/ boastful vv.9:1-10:11

E. What God Wants from Us vv.10:12-13

D. Be humble/ stiffen your necks no more vv.10:14-11:7

C. The land – obedience → strength → possession of the land vv.11:8-17

B. Show love and devotion vv.11:18-21

▬ teach future generations

▬ keep Word in heart, hand, forehead, and door posts

A. Blessings (& curses) from keeping the law vv.11:22-32

We are now ready to start answering the course question: What Does God Want from Us?

Deut 10:12-13 – What Does God Want from Us?

A. Fear Him v.12

B. Live according to His will v.12

C. Love Him v.12

B. Serve Him v.12

A. Obey Him v.13

What we can see, is that our awesome reverence/ worship and obedience are merely the door ways, through which we can approach real relationship – not the answer … important, but only a “given” – a necessary prerequisite, but not the primary purpose or goal or calling of our lives.

Similarly, as a result of our obedience and worship, we can enter into a position where we can know His will and purposes for us … and conform our lives to that will and purpose – living the Christian life.

But this is still not what God so desperately desires for us.

The center or focal point of this chiasmus is to love Him. The God of the universe wants to be in intimate relationship with each one of us! Pretty remarkable, when you think of it. Yet, not so surprising, given Christ’s response to the religious leader’s question about the greatest commandment, where quoting Deuteronomy, He says, “to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and strength … ”

Similarly, the admonition to the church in Rev 3:20 reveals God’s deepest longing:

"Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear Me calling and open the door, I will come in, and commune with you, as a friend.

So don’t be satisfied with simply obeying, or living a good life – God wants to be known by us, and be intimate with us – and us with Him – continually … and forever. Amen

Dt chiasmus - What Does God Want from Us

28.3.03