“You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6.9

Writing the Law of God on the gates of a city is another way of saying that every aspect of community life is to be made submissive to the Law of God, including all the cultural activities and practices of a community.

In ancient Israel communities were to be kept clean and hygienic, so that nothing dangerous to human health or offensive to God and men would be maintained within the community. How people built their homes, and how they did their work, were to reflect thoughtfulness and consideration toward their neighbors. All activities within the community, and all conversations and transactions, were to be engaged in truth and love.

In a community where the justice of God was the defining norm, no cultural activities would long be tolerated that were deemed offensive to God or harmful to neighbors. Certainly nothing of “normal cultural activity” would have been engaged on the Sabbath Day, as all understood this was a day the Lord had reserved for Himself.

Nothing that promoted pagan ways – whether artifacts, such as idols, or conventions, such as worship – would be allowed in the communities of Israel. Only what was pleasing to God and beneficial to one’s neighbors could be pursued, regardless of the kind of cultural activity in which one was engaged. As we have seen, it was the duty of the local magistrates to watch over the community from their meeting place in the gates of the city, and there can be no doubt that their oversight included a close watch on all aspects of the local culture.

God’s Law was given to promote just and loving communities, and local judges, as well as all the members of the community, were to bring all their lives and cultural activities into line with its teaching.

For a practical guide to the role of God’s Law in the life of faith, get The Ground for Christian Ethics by going to www.ailbe.org and click on our Book Store.