Deuteronomy 30:11-14

"God's word is very near to you, it is on your lips and in your heart for you to put it into practice."

In this last sermon by Moses he tells the Israelites that the commandments God has given them are not too hard for them. God's word, Moses says, is on their lips and in their heart, so they can keep the commandments. The book of Deuteronomy was probably the scroll that was discovered in the temple in the reign of Josiah over Judah. It led to a renewal of the covenant in their life.

When Christians read about the word of God being in their hearts, they think of the Holy Spirit or the presence of Jesus or Christ. But we should recall that this image is also in the Hebrew Bible. After all, at Christmas we celebrate the birth of a very special Jew who was born to a Jewish mother and who called Jewish disciples to proclaim the good news of the love of God that was revealed in the Jewish scriptures.

Grace and peace...Bob