This is the Bible Book Club, and we're in Deuteronomy.

Welcome to the club.

Last episode, chapters 14 through 16, was the second sermon that was a continuation of Moses

providing new insight on the Ten Commandments.

Specifically, he was explaining that the Israelites

must be set apart, and by doing so, they would keep the Third Commandment honoring the name

of the Lord. Therefore, no cutting like the Canaanites, no eating certain foods, and they must

tithe. Moses also covered more details on keeping the Fourth Commandment, the Sabbath. He explained

that the Israelites were to be generous to one another and forgive debts and free indentured servants

in the Sabbath year. And then Moses commanded that the Israelites take a pilgrimage to the

tabernacle three times a year for the Passover, the festival of weeks, and the festival of tabernacles.

In this episode, we are right in the middle of Moses's second sermon and right in the middle of

those ten commandments that he decided to pontificate on. But he is taking a fresh look at those laws

with the promised land in mind. So here we have

Just Do It, obey the fifth commandment, which is Exodus 2012, honor your father and mother so

that you may live long in the land your God is giving you. Now, Moses is going to expand the

concept of honoring your mother and father into honoring and respecting

authorities. There are four groups of authorities Moses wants to give the Israelites

instructions for. They are judges, kings, priests, and prophets. So in chapter 16,

we are continuing with instructions for judges.

Verse 18, appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God

is giving you and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality.

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