God’s Good Law

“Teach them to your children and your children’s children.” Deuteronomy 4:9

During the time of Moses, he encouraged the Jews he was leading to observe carefully the statutes and decrees of the Lord. He said that if they obeyed, they will give witness to other nations that they are a wise and intelligent people. No other nation has “gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to us!” 

Sometimes, we can find laws burdensome and we look for ways we can go around it. Usually people don’t follow rules if they think they won’t get caught, or it’s just plain inconvenient or hard to obey. Last Thursday night, our President called for strict measures as he imposed a community quarantine covering Metro Manila. Unfortunately, instead of the “social distancing” that was necessary to keep the Covid-19 virus from spreading, we saw crowds congregating in transportation terminals, and overcrowded jeepneys the drivers couldn’t control. Thousands converged in bus depots to exodus out of Metro Manila to take advantage of the two day window allowed, spreading the virus outside of Manila. Shelves in the supermarkets emptied even as people were told not to panic buy because food was sufficient. 

So the President ordered an “Enhanced Community Quarantine”, in effect, a lockdown. No more public transportation to restrict movement. We are supposed to stay home. Of course there are problems, but the important thing is if we have no essential business outside, we should stay home and stay safe. 

It is important to obey the law. In Italy, when their cities were put on quarantine, they did not obey, so now they are facing a situation where doctors have no choice but to choose who they will treat and who they will leave to die. There are not enough beds and equipment in their hospitals to help everyone. And they have the best healthcare! 

God gave us laws as well. Compared to the Covid-19, the virus of sin is much more serious. If we live a life of sin, and do not obey God’s commandments to love Him and our neighbor, we are in much more grave a danger than dying from Covid-19. It is important to know God’s laws and keep safe in His protection and guidance. And we should teach our children and our children’s children to love God and love His law for it is for our good.