The end of Grandpa Moses's "random" rules safeguard and protect community by fair and equal treatment. Even practices that are foreign to us made sense when we understand how they protect the vulnerable. Caring for the needy is so important to God that the first fruits offerings of His people, when they crossed into the Promised Land, were reserved for those in need.

A seemingly random list of rules gives the impression of a rambling grandpa Moses struggling to finish his speech. But there are important themes in these "random" rules, as Moses tells God's people how they will witness to His character in this section.

Jesus was surrounded by strangers in His dying hours because all His friends had abandoned Him. We thank God that Jesus was undeterred by His friends' absence, because we often turn our back on Him. None the less, He continued and finished His work so that we can be forgiven when we flee from Him.

In the middle of Moses' last discourse we stumble across mighty types fulfilled by Jesus. Disobedient sons were liable for death. Those hung on a tree were cursed by God. Put the two together, and you see a prophetic picture of God the Father's view of His Son on calvary. He was killed and cursed, so that in Him, we may be blessed and live.

Like an eclipse, that darkens and alters our perception of the sun without changing the sun, lies have the power to completely alter perceptions of the truth. Grandpa Moses warned about the dangers of lies and proposed harsh penalties for those who falsely accused others. Learn how God expects His people to live as beacons of truth.

It does a soul good to know that God knows the future and sees around corners. In providing rules for a monarchy, God was addressing a need His people would have four hundred years in the future. How does it help you to know that God is already providing for future needs you couldn't even imagine?

Have you ever been left by someone you love? If so, you know a measure of Jesus's pain when He was left by all who loved Him. He was forsaken, so that in Him, we would never be forsaken by God.

How does God expect His people to deal with economic desparities that emerge due to human greed and sloth? How do work and worship play nicely together? In these chapters, we reflect on how faith provides the finances to be generous with others, and the time to spend with God in worship and His word.