Deuteronomy chapter 12

vs 1

We can begin to see the fashion in which Moses organises his talk. He is starting here with a speech against idols and idolatry. This is not the first time he's spoken about it, but it's still interesting because he is now talking in the context of when they actually begin to take over the land, and the actions they should take.

vs 2

Even if it's just two rocks piled on top of one another, that's enough to throw them into idolatry.

This is quite ruthless. We often talk, when talking about Islam, about the Meccan and Medinan versions of Islam, and it has been said that Islam doesn't have a theology of minority - it doesn't know what to do when it isn't in power. If we consider God's treatment of Israel as a Christian theology of majority (which the Catholics did, really) then we notice straight away that God does not believe in pluralism within his state. Although this rule hardly ever gets followed.

Is this what Christians should be striving for in areas where they hold a majority? I think the question comes down to whether Israel is a model for heaven, or a model for earth. I would say Jesus makes it clear that it is a model for heaven, even though we should try and live it on earth. Do we smash idols? Probably not the way to someone's heart. Convert them, and watch them smash their own idols, I suppose.

vs 3

The whole idea of wiping the names of these gods out of history is something that would help me conclude that this is a once-off thing, and not a model for people to follow in the future. In the same way as Christians should not kill every non-Christian in the town in which they move to.

vs 4

Even co-opting foreign methods into their own worship is disallowed. I wonder if this verse has been used by Christians against Christians? As in, "Don't do that - that's what pentecostals do, and we know they're not really Christians."

vs 5

I love the fact that they aren't told where that will be. It is not for Moses to reveal - he's not going into the land anyway.

vs 6

God does not remove a sacrificial system from them. He wants to ensure, though, that by choosing only one place, they realise that they are all worshipping the one God perhaps. Perhaps it will also stop them from getting into drunken revelry and such too.

vs 7

As I said, they still get the celebration of a sacrifice, but it is now appropriate to God - celebrating God's gift of this land, rather than bonking for the fertility goddess or suchlike.

vs 8

This verse is pretty much tailor made for the end of Judges.

vs 9

God is not unreasonable. He understands that the system he wants in place in the land is not useful for them now, while they're still moving, or on the warpath. But he is telling them what he wants for the future.

vs 10-11

So the deal is go in, settle, God will give you rest, and you can start the real work of bringing him glory.

Which does bring up an interesting question about Judges - because the people do not have rest in Judges - there are still plenty of enemies to fight. Is the statement at the end of Judges therefore not as strong a rebuke as I have originally thought?