These are difficult scriptures today -- because they are 'tough love' lessons -- reminding us to make right choices. There is not suggestion in either that God would not love the people -- only that if they didn't make wise choices, if they tried to create run-arounds, or loopholes to God's laws that there would be consequences.
When do we find ourselves looking for a way to put barriers around others for our own gain? How do we choose to listern, learn and love with God?
Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the bible… part of the Jewish Torah. It is a ‘law-giving’ book and shows Moses explaining God’s laws to the people and how they are supposed to follow them.
Matthew 5:21-37 Common English Bible (CEB) Teachings of Jesus… the tough stuff In today’s Gospel reading, Matthew compares and contrasts the traditional view of justice that seems to centre on revenge or punishment to control, with a faithful view of justice that looks toward caring for others – acknowledging the impact of choosing violent justice. What we hear are images deliberately chosen to provoke, to engage, to make us think about what it really means to live putting God and our neighbours first.