From today’s Scripture: “For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? Or what great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?”—Dt 4:7-8

This passage from Deuteronomy shares insight on how unique the Lord’s relationship with the people of Israel was in comparison to other religions at the time. In other religious traditions, the gods were unpredictable and worship often focused on appeasing their angry natures.

In contrast, the Lord made a covenant, or a public commitment or vow, to the people of Israel. The Lord conveyed a body of statues and decrees that established boundaries and expectations. The God of Israel was relational and wanted to be known and understood.

Today we often think of rules as controlling and suffocating. But for the Israelites, the decrees and statues provided clarity to who God was and how life should be lived. The rules became a gift. The people knew that God cared deeply enough to give them the opportunity to choose to follow the law, or not. While other gods took much but promised nothing, the God of Israel offered everything, even God’s own beloved son, to obtain the love of ordinary people. Indeed, how great is God’s love and faithfulness to each of us.

Let us pray: Thank you, Father, for your faithfulness to each one of us. Help me to strengthen my commitment to you and your covenants each day.

Today’s author is Julia Sauter, a member of Glenmary’s Development team. She holds a master’s degree in Ethics and Social Theory from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California.

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