«You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small as well as the great; you shall not be afraid in any man’s presence, for the judgment is God’s. The case that is too hard for you, bring to me, and I will hear it» (Deuteronomy 1:17).
Deuteronomy, also called «The Second Legislation» or «Repetition of the Law,» could just as well be called «The Book of Memories.» It was written with the purpose of reminding the Israelites (and us) of what God had done to protect them. No wonder what the book repeats most often is the phrase: «Do not be afraid.»
How edifying it would be if each Christian wrote their own book of memories, to keep record of each fulfilled promise, each answered prayer. It would be a blessing for the moments when our faith falters, in the hour of trial, and in decisive moments.
Today’s verse exhorts us that neither riches, nor power, nor social class or cultural differences, nor educational level affect judicial decisions. The day that my youngest daughter went to the Immigration office to receive her permanent residence card, we witnessed a fair judgment. The person interviewing her did not ask her any suspicious questions, but rather to our surprise he asked her what she would do to repay all her mother’s sacrifices. Her answer pleased the judge. There was no tension in the room the rest of our time there. Our fear of an unfair judgment had disappeared, thanks be to God!
The book of Deuteronomy does not narrate a chronological sequence of events. Instead it is a serious of speeches directed at the Israelites by Moses towards the end of his ministry, after four decades of wandering through the desert. The entire book takes place there by the Jordan River, on the plains of Moab, to the east of Jericho. They could not leave there until they renewed the pact made at Mt. Sinai. Are we perhaps stuck in the prophetic timeline because we have not renewed our pact? The reason for this renewal before entering Canaan was that the generation that had been present for the first pact on Sinai had almost entirely died out. Those who were now elderly had then been children, and the rest had not yet been born. It is quite possible that they had forgotten their promise of faithfulness.
Are you afraid of some judgment? Is your migratory status in jeopardy? Renew your pact with God, confess to Him your decision to obey Him, and you will see that your fear of judgment will begin to disappear.
Taken from: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2023 “DAUGHTER OF MINE” Do Not Be Afraid From: Arsenia Fernandez-Uckele Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate