I’ve mentioned that I’m plod-reading through a book titled, Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World. The author isn’t a Christian, but he believes that Christianity is the only explanation for much of the good in the world today; Christianity has built category-shelves and filled them. Though Holland’s view of history has errors, including how he reads some Scriptures, he also offers some edifying (and emboldening) insights.
One such encouragement regarded the Jews, the Temple, and the Torah. The Temple was the place of centralized worship in Israel. All the men of the country were required a minimum of three times per year to travel to the capital city for a trifecta of feasts, reuniting the nation in the worship of Yahweh. But at various points in Israel’s disobedience, her people were taken captive and the Temple either overtaken or destroyed. What happened to their worship when that happened?
They took God’s law with them. “Wherever Jews might choose (or be forced) to live, there the body of their scriptures would be present as well.” (Loc. 920)
Culture comes from words, covenants, constitutions. Christian culture comes from God’s Word, His promises, His instructions. Obedience is according to His Word, and strength for that obedience comes from it.
Remember what the Lord said to Joshua (prior to the existence of the Temple):
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:8-9)
Wherever we go, with God’s Word, God is present. When His law is in our hearts, our steps do not slip (Psalm 37:31).