NOTES for Deu 8:2-3

The Lord speaks very stern words: He requires Israel to be completely separated from other peoples. No mixed marriages, no contacts - Israel is a completely separate people; it does not associate with other peoples. Why? What is the reason for such strict demands? As we know, in those days all the peoples surrounding Israel worshiped many gods and easily adopted pagan cults from one another. The Lord requires complete isolation because He foresees that, once the Israelites begin associating with other peoples, they will very quickly begin worshiping their gods.

And what then - can we say that these words have nothing to do with us? Or perhaps we Christians are called to stop all contact with the outside world? Neither one. These words are a reminder that no human relationship is worth more than relationship with the Lord, and if we have to make a choice, the choice is always unambiguous. More than that, it is important to remember that sometimes we ourselves do not notice the moment when the choice has already been made - and often not in the Lord's favor.

No matter how much we love a person, we should not worship that person's gods: today's reading calls us to spiritual caution and tireless watchfulness.