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Commentary on "Planning Ahead"

GABRIEL PROKSCH

 

Day 1: Sabbath Afternoon, October 31, 2009

 

The introduction announces the subject of those commandments that God gave Israel to be obeyed when they would possess the land of Canaan. These commands were in a veiled way a renewal of God’s promise to bring the children of Abraham into the land of Canaan. The setting of this renewal is important, because it happens just after one of the biggest rebellions that happened in Israel’s history.

 

Positive aspects

The introduction emphasizes the fact that God’s commands about what they should do in the land that He’s going to give them constitute his way of assuring them of the solidity of the promises. It mentions also the background (the rebellion) and not in the least it points to the unique character of the instructions, circumstances and contents, but, in spite of their uniqueness, the instructions still have value in transmitting spiritual lessons.

 

Negative aspects

The gracious nature of God’s behavior toward His chosen people is overlooked in the entire lesson, from introduction to the conclusion. Granted, grace is present, but grace is not presented as the ONLY reason for which Israel will receive God’s blessings and will possess the land. When it comes to application, the unique elements are not given proper attention and the application does not match the premise. If the circumstances were unique, there is reason enough to see the community of faith in the New Testament as sharing in a different kind of relationship with God than the community of the Old Testament. The application must have in view the unique elements if it is supposed to be a valid application. This reality should become clearer in the development of the lesson.

 

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