February 26, 2026 - Deuteronomy 18-22

Moses continues to remind the people of the good and righteous laws God has given them for the right and peaceful ordering of their lives.  In the midst of all this, there is an interesting section:  “And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God.  You shall not defile your land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance” (21:22-23).  The clear connection of the Old Testament with the New continues for Paul for, in his explanation of the gospel, he references this text and writes:  “Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’  But the law is not of faith, rather ‘The one who does them shall live by them.’  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’ — so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:11-14).  Jesus was cursed so that we might live.

Salvation unto us has come

by God’s free grace and favor;

good works cannot avert our doom,

they help and save us never.

Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone,

who did for all the world atone;

he is our one Redeemer.

Since Christ has full atonement made

and brought to us salvation,

each Christian therefore may be glad

and build on this foundation.

Your grace alone, dear Lord, I plead

your death is now my life indeed,

for you have paid my ransom.   --Paulus Speratus (1523)