Deuteronomy 31 – Thoughts From My Devotions

And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. (Deuteronomy 31:10-11)

It struck me today as I was reading this that seven years is a long time to go between hearing all the law! Does anyone know how often an Israelite in the Judges time period would have heard, let alone, seen God’s Word? I assume that certain portions would be read at certain feasts, but the whole book of Deuteronomy was reserved for every seventh year, it seems. When something like this hits me, I have to think of how privileged we are today to be able to hold God’s Word in our own hands and read it for ourselves. With privilege comes responsibility. We condemn the Israelites of the Old Testament many times, but we often stray just as far, and just as often and we don’t have to wait for seven years to hear the book of Deuteronomy.