The Walls in Which We Trust

Synopsis     Deuteronomy 28:42-52     3/21/2018

Moses continued describing in graphic detail the hardship and curses that would result from infidelity to the covenant. The progressive terror of the curses climax with the threat of enslavement and loss of the land.

The Walls in Which We Trust

Moses made a particular mention of the walls in which the Israelites trusted. A curious anticipation since the Israelites had never, in all their history, lived in a walled city.

Moses knew that the walls in which the Israelites would learn to trust would eventually fail them – because walls always fail. Marvels of engineering they sometimes prove to be, they are a futility and a misplaced trust. The God of Moses won’t tolerate the nonsense.

Bridges and Walls

It seems everyone’s talking about walls these days.

I work my vision into reality and then build a wall around it to prevent anything from messing it up. The irony, of course, is that I’m usually the greatest threat to my dreams and visions and accomplishments. I protect with my walls. I hang-on to the status quo with my walls. But, this selfish hanging-on is a recipe for self-destruction. The real problem is that I can’t build a wall between me and my own selfishness.

Someone once said, “Love is your best offense, and defense.”  But I was born in this world…I can’t help but be a little suspicious.

“Build bridges not walls” Pope Francis

“Now, I will let you know what I am going to do to my vineyard: Take away its hedge, give it to grazing, break through its wall, let it be trampled!” Isaiah 5:5