[LearsFool]

So would it be fair to categorize OT Israel as being a surface-level, legalistic, theocratic-government-forced dead moralistic Jewish nation? And was it so because they followed God's commands, or because they didn't?

"And the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw nigh unto me, and with their mouth and with their lips to honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment of men which hath been taught them;" - Isaiah 29:13

[Alex Murphy]

"And the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw nigh unto me, and with their mouth and with their lips to honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment of men which hath been taught them;" - Isaiah 29:13

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.
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.’
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?
-- Deuteronomy 4:5-7

[caww]