Doorposts and gates

Last updated on: April 28, 2016 at 5:32 pm by Gerald McDermott

Doorposts and gates 2016-04-28T17:32:07-04:00 Gerald McDermott

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

This is the last of our series on the constitution of the Old Testament–the Shema (Deut 6.4-9).

The last verse is v. 9, where we are told to write the words of God in our houses where we see them entering and exiting, and in the places where we conduct business and enact or write laws for our community.

Hebrew
Ukh’tav’tam al m’zuzot beitekha uvish’arekha.
And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

The word for “doorposts” is familiar to some of us–mezuzot. Perhaps you have seen these slim silver or gold rectangles with Hebrew letters inscribed (and a portion of Scripture on paper is enclosed), placed on the doorposts of Jewish homes or stores. They are there because of this verse, and the purpose then as now is to remind God’s people of his instructions every time they leave their houses and return to them.

We Christians might want to get our own mezuzot and place them at home or in our offices. The presumption behind this is that we are creatures who tend to forget. We need to be reminded.

It is also suggested here that each reminder can help give further understanding, for each day is different, and the meaning of that scripture for that day might be different. For Scripture is an ocean, and the layers of meaning for every part are nearly endless.

Then we are told to put them on our gates. These are the gates of the town or community, not our homes. Most homes in the ancient world did not have gates. But the towns did, and this was where both financial and legal transactions would be conducted. The idea here is that we need to be reminded of God’s words when we buy and sell, and when we participate in public discussion or enactment of laws for our community.

Now in America we have separation of church and state. Yet this verse was in mind when in former days courthouses typically were built with the Ten Commandments prominently displayed. I would argue that these are still necessary, for they express the natural law that is common to all, even atheists.

But we Christians can apply this half-verse to our Christian communities. It is good to have visible reminders of God’s words in our churches, when we conduct the administration of our congregations and denominations, and in our reflection on the public order of our land. So we should not be afraid to use art and beauty to display the words of God in our churches.

That is the end of the Constitution of the Old Testament. In one sense, all of God’s redemption and law are contained in these words. This is why Jews memorize these verses (Dt 6.4-9) and recite them three times a day.

Suggestion to Christians: memorize these verses and meditate on them regularly. Your faith will be enriched.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

April 27, 2016

Binding our arms and eyes

Next Post

April 29, 2016 Reading Esther in the Shadow of ISIS

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month March 2023 November 2022 October 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 November 2021 October 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 July 2020 June 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 August 2019 July 2019 May 2019 April 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz