NOTES for Deu 30:1-20

Apparently, to avoid unnecessary responsibility, we have grown accustomed to living in a world of abstractions. What could be more abstract than “good” or “evil”? And if they are far removed from us, and neither true good nor true evil lies within our power, then we can all sleep peacefully and not worry about either one. But the point is that nothing, as it turns out, is more concrete or closer to us than good and evil, the immediate manifestations of our spirit. This is why the biblical commandment is close to us—closer than our skin—in our mouth and in our heart. Today's chapter of Deuteronomy says precisely this: do not say that it has nothing to do with you; it concerns your heart and your life. With this approach, the Word of God becomes the word closest to us.