Re-writing the Bible's Book of the Law

As a Christian, I have read the book of Deuteronomy several times already. Then the passage in Deuteronomy 17:18-19 kept turning in my mind and can't get it off.

“ …he is to write a copy of this Torah (Law) for himself in a scroll, from the one the cohanim (priests) and L’vi’im (Levites) use. It is to remain with him, and he is to read it every day, as long as he lives; so that he will learn to fear Adonai (The LORD) his God and keep all the words of this Torah (Book of the Law) and these laws and obey them…” [taken from the Complete Jewish Bible]

Kings in Israel were instructed to make a copy of this book in their own handwriting and meditate on it every day. The Lord also instructed Joshua to recite it every day, meditate on it day and night, and never to turn away from it. This will ensure his great success in all his endeavors. Joshua lived 110 years of glorious victory and success (Joshua 24:29).  Jesus pulverized Satan and his temptations by simply reciting exclusively from this book! (Deuteronomy 8:3; Deuteronomy 6:16; and Deuteronomy 6:13 and 10:20)

I figured there must be great benefit in re-writing this book. I am not attempting to improve on the writings (to rewrite) for that would be unthinkable and sacrilegious indeed. I am writing a copy of the book in my own handwriting (to re-write) hoping to learn and experience God’s words in a whole new way. Copying a whole book is a new experience altogether.

The Complete Jewish Bible version is used to have a feel of the Jewishness of this book. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew with a Jewish cultural background. I am not trying to be Jewish but an understanding of the Bible’s Jewishness may show new treasures I have not seen before.

My tools for the new journey:

Bible, Notebook, ballpen and computer to blog.

Writing is different from reading. If that isn’t obvious, I look forward to the experiences in reading, copying and writing the book of Deuteronomy. This process is much slower which will give me time to think while writing. Slow but penetrating.

To reflect, it’s the Holy Spirit’s job to write down God’s laws in our hearts.

Jeremiah 31:33-34

“For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” says Adonai (The LORD). “I will put my Torah (book of the law) within them and write it on their hearts; I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (CJB) See also Jeremiah 31:34; 32:40)

  Just as it is painfully slower to write a book with your own handwriting, it takes great patience and love for the Holy Spirit to manifest Jesus Christ - the Word of God in us. Every stroke of God's Word is lovingly penned inside us with great care until His image is formed in our hearts. This alone gives us great appreciation on the patient, gentle and loving work of the Holy Spirit in a believer. O Lord, write your laws in my heart, amen:)

What shall be the rewards of this journey?

I believe there are much more treasures to discover. Let the journey begin:)

(re-writing Deuteronomy 001)