The MVLC Women’s Bible Study meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 9:30 a.m. in the MVLC Library. All women are welcome to this pastor-led study, which also includes snacks and fellowship.
Generation to Generation:
A Study in the Law Passed down from Deuteronomy
The book of Deuteronomy, from the Greek translation, is named “second law.” This is a rather uninspired name for a book that was meant to inspire and stir its hearers—from generation to generation—to faith and fidelity. Together we’ll explore the theological arch of this book, learn about the contexts it was purposed for, and examine the nuances of its laws.
Sept. 19th: Living Memory
Texts: Deuteronomy 4.1-43; 28.47-68; 31.14-29
We begin with exploring the historical and theological background of Deuteronomy and how these contexts inform one another and shape the text. This will include a look at the connection between the laws of Deuteronomy and the exilic experience of the Israelite people in later years.
Oct. 3rd: Circling the Promised Land / Learning the Covenant
Texts: Deuteronomy 1.1-8, 19-45; 26.16-19; 30.1-20
Looking to the arch of chapters 1-4 (which were a latter addition to the text), we examine how these narratives of Israel’s history inform our understanding of the covenant relationship with the Lord our God, and how this covenant undergirds the entire book.
Oct. 17th: “Hear, O Israel!” A word of law spoken with urgency and purpose
Texts: Deuteronomy 10.12-22; 12.13-14.29
The laws of Israel are presented several times throughout the Hebrew Bible, each time with variations in content and purpose. Chapters 5-11 give an overview and orientation to the law as presented in Deuteronomy. Chapters 12-26 then present the specifics of the law. We’ll begin with pondering the law particularly in regard to worship and how these laws had a centralizing power in the community.
Nov. 7th: Not Above the Law
Texts: 16.18-20; 17.8-18.8
God always seemed to know that ruling classes would be tempted, for many reasons, into disobedience to the covenant. Here, the law acts as harbinger of that truth. We study the law’s relationship to human authority and ponder questions of such relationship in our world today as well.
Nov. 21st: Law as Humanitarian Influence?
Texts: 15.1-18; 23.9-25
Rooted in the experience of the Exodus, Israel’s laws call God’s people to a standard of care that is for the good of those who are oppressed or forgotten. Deuteronomy seems to subtly expand on this notion. Do our laws today challenge us to do the same?
Dec. 5th: Land Possession and Conquest
Texts: 13.12-18; 20.1-20
How do we reconcile ‘election’ as God’s people with the conquest of land that occurred for there to be a “promised land”? We hold the tension of historical context, a spirit of conquest, and a covenantal relationship together.
Dec. 19th: Final Words of Farwell and Promise
Texts: 32.44-52; 34,1-12
How does Moses’ experience of seeing and yet not experiencing the promised land provide both instruction and hope to future generations? We look at Moses’ speeches and experiences in Deuteronomy for the final insights they provide into covenant relationship.