Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
Some parts of Deuteronomy can be hard going, if we're honest. Others, like these verses, are inspirational. What does God require of us? That we worship and obey him, and love and serve him with all our hearts (verses 12–13). God chose the Israelites out of love, a love that was to be extended to Gentiles too in a new covenant through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2.11–22). As Moses says: 'Praise him — he is your God, and you have seen with your own eyes the great and astounding things that he has done for you' (verse 21).
What's interesting here too, though, is how God's love is particular but not exclusive. He has chosen Israel, but his heart is big enough for the whole world. In the context of the time, when tribal deities were aligned with a particular people to the exclusion of everyone else, this was startling. The God of Israel 'loves the foreigners who live with our people, and gives them food and clothes' (verse 18). And there's an ethical charge on the Hebrews to do the same, because they were foreigners too, in Egypt (verse 19) – a parallel drawn in Ephesians. Gentile Christians too were strangers who were drawn into God's family.
So for believers, love for the outsider is part of the package. We're deeply grateful for what God has done for us, and that gratitude spills over into how we treat other people.
God, thank you for making me part of your family. Help me to see others too as your children, and to love them as I have been loved.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society’s Editor
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