Deuteronomy 11:1-32

Most of the greatest Biblical dialogues were recorded and preserved because they contain within them a powerful message that spoke to the heart of a people longing for a word from God, a word that in most cases either clarified the present or changed the course of the future. In typical fashion these messages were delivered through the voice of a prophet who spoke with the authority of God but also with the heart of one filled with compassion for his or her own people tempted to rebellion. Many of the great patriarchs spoke after years of struggling with a people learning to follow God, but also with a sense of urgency that only experience and consequences can teach. Many of these messages transcend time and speak to the deepest need in the human spirit because they contain an eternal truth spoken in love by a trusted friend. Perhaps the best example of such a dialogue that contains critical elements of effective rhetoric that has stood the test of time is found in Moses' farewell address in Deuteronomy 11. From the earliest work of Aristotle on rhetoric, the power of persuasive speech is derived from the use of all three essential elements, the application of reasonable logic, an emotional appeal, and personal character of the speaker. Moses makes full use of all three elements to accentuate his point and engage the listener with a message that has stood the test of time and has become one of the most powerful passages in all of Scripture. Moses is closing the chapter on his leadership that spanned over four decades, but before handing the reins of power over to Joshua, he expresses his hopes and fears for the people that are about to enter the Promised Land. Moses is speaking directly to the people of Israel and sets before them a bright future filled with the promises of God, provided they would remain faithful. But he also lays out the alternative if they should forget what God has done for them and why. Moses reminds his audience of the disastrous choices their parents made before make a convincing argument for future action. Moses establishes a foundation of common experience before venturing into an unknown future. In making his case, Moses uses simple logic in referring to the past as evidence that rejecting God has consequences. Moses urges families to teach their children the ways of God and ensure a healthy future for them and their children for generations, lest they forget the lessons their ancestors learned the hard way. (Schlutze, 58) Moses also expresses his vision of the future in terms of problems solving, sort of an 'if-than-else' style of logic. It is a choice that Israel will need to relearn time and time again, and yet the pattern remains basically the same. But for now, Moses speaks with the force of logic backed up by the authority of past experiences and a conviction that the future can be as bright and prosperous as we choose it to be. Moses speaks with revealed wisdom, but also with emotion and certainly with the power of his position as the man who has talked with God. (Schlutz, 74) Perhaps what makes this speech so dramatic is the timing of the speech. The Hebrew people have travel to the edge of the Jordan River and are now prepared to cross in the morning and take possession of it. It is a journey they have thought about for the last 40 years. The timing of the speech couldn't have been better and is made all the more dramatic because Moses spends the beginning reminiscing about all they have gone through to get to this point. He establishes a common point of reference, the past, before he challenges the Hebrews to look to the future. He establishes the current state of affairs and helps his listeners understand the context of the current situation. It is, in the words of Quentin Schultz, a speech "from the heart by connecting with a particular audience on a particular occasion." (Schlutz, 68) By fitting the speech to the occasion, Moses is able to touch the hearts of this audience and address a perceived need which helps his audience embrace his message. Every good pastor and leader, like Moses, should first understand the concerns and burdens of his audience to which he or she may offer a solution. If Moses were to speak to our generation, the church, what would be the context of the speech? What common ground would he refer to before challenging us as we venture into an unknown future? Under these circumstances the audience is eager to listen, wants to know the answer, and wants to have hope in a better future. The implications for connecting the message to the timeframe of the listeners is just as important for ministry today as it was for Moses. While many pastors may use preaching tools such as the common lectionary, it is important to stay in touch with the needs, fears and doubts of the people, especially during Advent, Lent, or times of personal and national tragedy. To become so set in liturgical patterns and forget the needs of the audience is to entirely miss the heart of persuasion. While the message Moses shares is certainly very timely, its power is derived from the life and death implications of what he has share. "I am setting before you today a blessing and curse." (Deut. 11:26) Moses lays out the future as a simple choice with profound consequences, love God and you will possess this prosperous land into which you are going, reject this way of life, and you will be cursed. The weight of his words is clear and powerful. Moses expresses them in a way anyone can understand. 'What are the implications of your message', is always an unspoken question every audience asks and which the speaker must be prepared to answer. To this question Moses leaves little doubt. For the contemporary preacher, the message must have implications for the audience in order to be acted upon. But perhaps the most significant aspect of the Deuteronomy 11 is the personal character of one of the greatest leader Israel has ever known. When Moses speaks, he speaks with unparalleled authority. Moses has seen the mighty saving hand of God in Egypt, but he has also seen the rebellion of people too afraid to trust and let go of Egypt. So when Moses speaks of the future, the challenges and the opportunity, people listen because of his unique perspective and authority. The personal authority and integrity of any pastor is equally as important for the congregation to take his or her message seriously. Recent scandals continue to undermine the authority of the church and its message. Imagine, for example, a divorced pastor speaking on the importance of commitment verses Mother Teresa speaking on compassion. The personal authority and integrity of each speaker is critical to accepting the truth of the message and engaging the listener. The sun is beginning to set on Moses' life and he is reflecting on the future for his friends and family. All the critical elements for a successful persuasive speech are here in a clear concise dialogue. Moses connects with the past before jumping into the future possibilities, he speaks of life and death issues and he relies on his experience with God and with people to speak with authority. Moses' message is for all time because the same choices offered to the Hebrews facing an unknown future is still true for Christians facing an unknown millennium. Bibliography Aristotle, Rhetoric, translated by W. Rhys Roberts Schultz, Quentin, An Essential Guide to Public Speaking. Baker Academic:Grand Rapids, MI, 2006, 58. Deuteronomy 11:26, The New Student Bible. Zondervan: Grand Rapids, 1992.
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