Beyond The Ten Commandments: Devarim

A society cannot function on the Ten Commandments exclusively. This assertion should not be controversial. It was Moses, the Mt. Sinai Decalogue Deliverer, expressing this within in the Book of Deuteronomy. He confesses it within the Torah Portion Devarim.

During the wilderness wandering, Moses grew to understand that leading a mixed multitude required more than two inscribed tablets. An administrative government was also required. In Devarim, Moses reflects upon this realization while delivering his final speech to the Children of Israel.

Deuteronomistic Thought

The Book of Deuteronomy’s controversies are far ranging and have wide implications on the Hebrew Bible. Thus, it is necessary to clarify this post’s objectives. This blog and post’s purpose is to learn from the text as opposed to learn about the text. Scholarship addresses many theories concerning the authorship of the fifth and final book of the Pentateuch and their intent.

Deuteronomy scholarship opines that the Book’s ideas expand beyond the Pentateuch. They believe the book is uniquely connected to the books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings. This assertion, in part, is due to Deuteronomy introducing new laws and emphasizing certain themes.

This post’s intent is to appreciate the end product as opposed to the machinations which produced it. Thus, while this blog Blog touches on scholarship matters, it does so for enlightenment and not for scholarship. This Blog asserts that the Hebrew Bible’s final product is an expressions of unique and diverse political philosophies.

Thus, this Blog explores how these scriptural philosophies have made an historical impact on governance. This Blog asks “why leaders reflexively turn to the Ten Commandments as a solution for modern problems?”

What Are We Looking For?

What political thought and theories does the Torah and Hebrew Bible advance? What can we learn from a nation that started out as a concept? What can we learn from the recently emancipated individuals starting anew to form a nation?

From the scripture, this nation was envisioned to be a nation among nations. Genesis 12:1-3. It ended up being a nation among superpower nations. Eventually, it became a nation among empires.

Thus, we observe both the positives and negatives of the nation(s) dealings. [United Kingdom, Northern Kingdom & Southern Kingdom.] These international relations involved the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans. What is remarkable is that the scripture survived all of these great nations and empires and remains relevant.

From Chaos: Devarim

The nation’s growth concerned Moses. He realized and accepted that population numbers impacted his effectiveness to govern. Moses, in his Devarim lecture, addressed the nation’s institutional administration.

Moses observed:

“And I said to you at that time, saying, “I’m not able to carry you by myself. The Lord, your God, has made you multiply, and here today, you’re like to the stars of the skies for multitude. …How shall I carry your stress and your burden and your quarrels myself? Get wise and understanding and knowledgeable people for your tribes, and I’ll set them among your heads.'” Deuteronomy 1:9-13

Moses went further

“And I took heads of your tribes, wise and knowledgeable people, and I set them as heads over your, chiefs of thousands and chief of hundreds and chiefs of fifties and chiefs of tens and officers for your tribes.” Deuteronomy 1:15.

The Takeaway

This passage advances the concept that governance requires requires a per capita infrastructure. Smaller administrative units were needed to address ongoing and wide ranging concerns and disputes. Does this concept still resonate? If so, what should be the correct numbers? Should they be something subject to modification?

Further, there is the assertion that governance requires a level competency. Why both wise and knowledgeable are qualifications? Is wise different from knowledgeable?

Arguably one may know things but they lack experience to deal with the facts and circumstances. Taking the data and acting upon it in an effective manner is a product of wisdom. Thus, they are complimentary traits.

The infrastructure laid out by Moses begs the question. How should administrative staffing be done? By an official making the hiring? By a vote by a committee? Or, by a vote of the general population? Was there to be compensation or was it merely an honor to serve?

Conclusion

The Portion Devarim, and the Book of Deuteronomy, is an opportunity to reflect upon the Exodus and the wilderness wandering. Out of the tumultuous and chaotic process a nation was born. With that development, what was learned? What concessions had to be made to created both structure and functional competence?

Be well!!

Please like, follow, comment and share.