STUDIES IN THEOLOGY - 12/11/2006 (Commands Were Just Too Difficult to Fit On A Business Card?)

STUDIES IN THEOLOGY;

Popular Christianity 12/11/2006

Study Notes And Journal Entries,

An Observation

By

David A. Archer

02/15/1968

(r.f.p.p.s.h.)

12/11/2006

Deuteronomy 6 begins with more instruction to obey commands the Lord has presented - 6:06 mentions to fill conversations with them when possible. When going to bed and getting up in the morning, which seems to be the beginnings of the common practice of prayer regarding popular Christianity - though it is a widely practiced event to perform such daily ritual. ~

6:08 states in metaphor presumably, to tie them on your hands and wear them on your foreheads as reminders (concerning the commands). ~

I immediately had, yet again - the thought of the more modern rosary and its functions for prayer where the reference to forehead seems to liken to an affiliation with the medallion of the head priest (previously Aaron). ~

Knowing of its function then further presents the potential transference aspect. ~

Though it is a bit of a stretch, the reference in 6:09 to writing them on the door post seems as though it could have a relation to the development of modern addresses. Seeing as each home would most likely have displayed variations of such in that time period. Simply then perhaps progressing with the spread in popularity of such practices through the popularity of Christianity and developing eventually to the more common means of house addresses used. ~

There is another relative aspect in the display of commands on the door post in that part of accepting an alien - a foreigner - into their midst - the person was to be taken to the door post and have their ear pierced with an awl against it. Most definitely a connection in symbolism with such ceremony. ~

In 6:10 of Deuteronomy, it then describes further pirate like aspects of the recent Israelite actions in stating that the land they are about to enter, has large prosperous cities that they did not build. Houses richly stocked with goods they did not produce. ~

An odd aspect considering the previous focus on cultivation, commerce - similar aspects of domestication. ~

Maybe this is more evidence of that split between tribes?

Perhaps those he wasn't necessarily speaking to - those remaining in the East part of the land - were more the dominant cultivators? Seeing perhaps the larger body going to the Western side of the river, to be less industrious in those ways?

It definitely presents (and presents them) as more the consumer than the producer.

It continues to solidify an attribute of this in stating that after they have eaten their fill of this land, not to forget the Lord. ~

6:14 poses a question with reasserting the commitment to God, in stating stating that the Israelites are not to worship the gods of the neighboring nations. ~

What then of the god that Esau's descendants worship, and those of Lot in the same respect?

This presents that multiple facet once again (though slightly in a different manner) and may allude to a containment in reference to the previously explored variations aspect on that larger level - pertaining to elemental (fire, water, ice....) divisions?

Most definitely indicates some form of division in that sense - which ever it may be. ~