Who speaks for God?

Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as I attempt to read the Bible with fresh eyes, as if I don’t know anything about it, and without consulting experts on what it “really” means.. Let’s see where this takes us!

Deuteronomy 12

I’m reading Young’s Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version.

I’ll first call attention to verse 8 of both translations:

• YLT: “Ye do not do according to all that we are doing here to-day, each anything that is right in his own eyes.”
• NRSV: “You shall not act as we are acting here today, all of us according to our own desires.”

The context is that Israel has yet to settle the Promised Land and live according to established laws. The two translations might mean the same thing, but what I understand doing “anything that is right in his own eyes” means that there are no agents of authority stopping him, whereas acting “according to our desires” means that people can and do whatever they please.

It’s the difference between “they were free to do whatever they wanted” and “they did whatever they wanted.”

In any case, I’ve found that The Bible goes back and forth between metaphysical truth, in which “the LORD” is one’s highest self, and a story in which the LORD is some mysterious and powerful external entity with Moses as the spokesperson.

This chapter is like that. It begins with a metaphysical truth, that God and the worship of God can’t be found in altars, pillars, sacred poles, or idols (NRSV)/graven images (YLT). The chapter also concludes that “every abhorrent thing that the Lord hates they have done for their gods. They would even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods”

In other words, following “lesser gods” in the external world will lead to tremendous evils such as human sacrifice, when faith in the LORD (the highest self) will suffice.

In between, however, is a discussion of national practices. From verse 11: … then you shall bring everything that I command you to the place that the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for his name: your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and your donations, and all your choice votive gifts that you vow to the Lord.”

We know that, when that time comes, Moses will be gone; he’s been told he’ll never enter the land. So…

Who will speak for this (external, powerful) entity called The LORD? When will this happen? How will people know that the right place has been designated according to the LORD’s will?

Who has the authority to speak on behalf of this external yet invisible God?

James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, JL Cells, and The MVP Chase. Thanks for your subscriptions and support!

(Photo credit: TyshkunVictor)