| Brueggemann now presses a bit more about the importance of not making a distinction between law and grace within this covenantal relationship
Such a distinction does incredible mischief to Jewish-Christian relationships, and comparable mischief in self-discernment about persons in community. That is, grace and law as twin aspects of covenant become competing issues of entitlement and responsibility, when in fact both belong inescapably to a workable covenantal existence. Israel was to respond in love to the self-giving love of YHWH. As in any serious relationship of love, the appropriate response to love is to resonate with the will, purpose, desire, hope, and intention of the one who loves. It is for that reason that the traditions of Deuteronomy, without apology or qualification, understand that Israel's proper response to YHWH's inexplicable love is obedience, to the purpose of the One whose love has made its life in the world possible.
We are to 'resonate with the will, purpose, desire, hope, and intention of the one who loves.' I find that to be at the center of what we call the faith. For this is no comment about the content of what is to be 'believed.' It is rather an embodiment that comes to the same dynamic as the one who loves. As I'm trying to learn to play the cello, I'm learning about how tuning takes place. This notion of covenant and life being quite the same is like a note that is played and the note also rings out from another string that is the same note. The second string - without being hit by the bow - amplifies the primary note. That is like the saying 'we love because God first loved us.' There is a unified word that is offered up from the loving relationship between God and God's people - a fullness of life.
Connection: So we are a part of the life that being sung by our God. Not because we must - but because it is a beautiful song and it creates a song within our lives.
O God, who makes our humanity shine with life, help us to sing out with the life of your Reigning love. Amen.
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