day no. 14,695: wise by whose standard?

Deuteronomy 4:5-8
See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 6 Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." 7 For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? 8 And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?

We tend to provide a less glowing review of the Old Testament law. If someone lobs an accusation against the old-timey, backwards ways of early Israel, we tend to grant the ground readily. We immediately take the position of apologizing for it and assuring the detractor that objects in the rearview mirror may appear closer than they are, but that they actually aren't. We love putting distance between us and God's revealed Words, especially when the verdict of those onlooking is guilty.

But Moses assumed that a people committed to God's Word would attract onlookers and create a buzz that elevated God's reputation among those they lived - no caveat required. Seems like perhaps the Apostle Paul would have agreed with Moses (fancy that).

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 Aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.