God Is Bigger!

¹⁰ “Do not be afraid (fear not), for I am with you. Do not be discouraged (dismayed, anxious, worried), for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.... ¹² You will look in vain for those who tried to conquer you. Those who attack you will come to nothing. ¹³ For I hold you by your right hand — I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, ‘Do not be afraid (fear not). I am here to help you. ¹⁴ Though you are a lowly worm, O Jacob, do not be afraid (fear not), people of Israel, for I will help you. I am the LORD, your Redeemer. I am the Holy One of Israel.’... ¹⁷ When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are parched from thirst, then I, the LORD, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them.” Isaiah 41:10, 12-14, 17 (NLT)

Every day God’s people face many challenges and difficulties. During these difficult circumstances, many people wonder if God cares. In Isaiah 41, the living God spoke through His prophet Isaiah to remind His people then and today of His divine Presence, love, and grace (Isaiah 41:10, 13-14; see also Romans 8:31; 2 Peter 1:3-4). Throughout the Holy Scriptures, the living God promises to sustain, provide, and protect His faithful and repentant people (e.g., see Genesis 26:3-4, 24; Genesis 28:15; Genesis 31:3; Joshua 1:5; Jeremiah 1:8, 19; Matthew 28:20; Acts 18:9-10; 2 Corinthians 13:14).

Unfortunately, the people of Israel had sinned against the living God through their repeated unfaithfulness, immoral conduct, and utter disobedience (see Isaiah 1:2-4, 16-17, 21-23). Because of their repeated disobedience and unfaithfulness, the living God sent His people into Assyrian and Babylonian exile (see 2 Kings 17:7-23; 2 Kings 25:1-21). However, the prophet Isaiah saw hope for Israel’s future! God’s loving punishment and discipline do not mean God’s rejections of His people (see also Psalm 94:12; Psalm 119:75; Proverbs 3:11-12; Isaiah 48:17; Isaiah 54:8; Hebrews 12:5-6). The loving God and His Presence (the Holy Spirit) come to those who remain faithful to Him and repent of their sins (e.g., see Psalm 51:1-3, 7-12; Isaiah 1:27; Isaiah 59:20; Jeremiah 35:15; Ezekiel 18:30-31; Acts 2:38-39). Despite their past rebellion and sins, Israel was not cast away by the living God (Isaiah 41:8-9; see also Isaiah 43:5-7; Isaiah 44:1-2). Truly, the LORD God Almighty is our Redeemer to rescue and restore His faithful people (Isaiah 41:14, 17-20; see also Romans 3:24-25; 1 Corinthians 1:30)! The living God was raising up His servant Cyrus of Persia to help His faithful and repentant people returning from Babylonian exile to rebuild Jerusalem and God’s Temple (Isaiah 41:2, 25; Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 45:1-3, 13; Isaiah 46:11; Isaiah 48:14; see also Ezra 1:1-4, Ezra 6:3-5). Cyrus of Persia conquered Babylon in 539 BC, and he was responsible for releasing God’s people to return to Jerusalem.

Starting in Isaiah 40, the living God spoke through His prophet Isaiah to remind His faithful people then and today that He was with them and encouraged His people not to fear nor be afraid. The living and all-powerful God is the LORD of all, and He is the First and Last (Isaiah 41:4; see also Isaiah 43:10-11; Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 45:18; Isaiah 48:12; Revelation 1:8, 17; Revelation 22:13). As the LORD of all, the living God protects, strengthens, and helps His faithful people and upholds His faithful people by their right hand then and now (see Isaiah 41:10, 13-14). One of the great truths of the Holy Scriptures is that living God is with and present with His faithful people (e.g., see, Genesis 15:1; Deuteronomy 20:1; Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:9; Psalm 27:1; Isaiah 43:2, 5; Romans 8:31). Truly, “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31; see also Numbers 14:9; Psalm 56:9; Psalm 118:6; Isaiah 8:16; Jeremiah 20:11; Hebrews 13:6). Therefore, there is nothing to fear for the LORD God is with His faithful people and the living God is BIGGER and GREATER than any circumstance and any mountain (see also Isaiah 44:6, 24)!

Even more, the living God can cause His faithful people’s enemies to be confused, shattered, and defeated (Isaiah 41:11-12, 15-16; see also Isaiah 45:24; Isaiah 54:14, 17). In other words, the enemies of God’s faithful people become God’s enemies (e.g., see also Exodus 23:22; Psalm 37:10, 35-40; Isaiah 17:14; Isaiah 29:8; Isaiah 66:14). That is why Jesus commands you to also pray for your enemies (e.g., see Matthew 5:44; Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60)! The living God sends His angels to be encamped around His faithful people (e.g., see 2 Kings 6:16; 2 Chronicles 32:7-8; Psalm 34:7; 1 John 4:4). The living God who is LORD and our Redeemer will help, protect, and provide for His faithful people with blessings from above and answer their prayers for help (Isaiah 41:14, 17-19; see also Job 19:25; Isaiah 1:17). So, the faithful people of God should not be fearful, afraid, nor worried about the future or the present circumstances because the living God is ALWAYS with His faithful people (Isaiah 41:10-15; see also Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Joshua 1:5; Psalm 37:25; Matthew 28:20; Acts 18:10; 2 Corinthians 4:9 Hebrews 13:5-6). The LORD God Almighty goes ahead of His faithful people to fight their battles and save His faithful people from danger (see Isaiah 43:1-2, 5). Have FAITH and TRUST in the living God and FEAR NOT (see Isaiah 41:10, 13)! Without wholehearted faith and trust in the living God, we cannot expect the living God’s protection and provision (e.g., see Isaiah 8:13-14).

Instead of being fearful and afraid, the living God encourages His faithful people to rejoice and celebrate (Isaiah 41:16; see also Isaiah 61:10; Philippians 4:4-6, 12). The true and living God promises to graciously give His faithful people His Spirit (strength, empowerment, and help) to accomplish His mission and provide ALL their needs (Isaiah 41:17-20; see also e.g., Isaiah 44:2-3, 8; Isaiah 55:1; Haggai 2:4-5; Zechariah 4:4-7). God’s faithful people can count on the living God and His Presence (Holy Spirit, Mighty Hand) to help us with our fears and hard circumstances, to deliver us from our failures, and to strengthen us in our weaknesses (see also Exodus 6:6; Isaiah 40:28-31). So, we must continually have FAITH in the LORD God Almighty (e.g., see Matthew 17:20; Matthew 21:21). For the LORD God is our shield, and He gives grace, blessings, and goodness to those who faithfully, obediently, and blamelessly walk with Him (e.g., see Psalm 34:9-10; Psalm 84:11-12; Micah 6:6-8). The living God’s powerful Presence is continually and personally with His faithful people to supply all our needs (e.g., see Genesis 39:20-21; Psalm 23:1; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Philippians 4:19-20). Only the LORD God Almighty knows the beginning and the end because He holds and controls the future for His glory and His people’s benefit (Isaiah 41:22, 26; see also, Isaiah 43:9; Isaiah 44:7-8; Isaiah 46:10; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6).

Even more, the true and living God can raise up and bring defeat to any world leader or ruler to protect and provide for His faithful people (see Isaiah 41:2, 25). The true and living God is in control of all world empires, politics, and world leaders (e.g., see Proverbs 21:1). Nothing is too hard for the true and living God because with God everything is possible (e.g., see Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17, 27; Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 1:37; Luke 18:27). Therefore, God’s faithful people can always know the true and living God, and not some idol or military alliance, is our ever-present help (see Isaiah 41:6-8, 27-29). No money, career, family, or even military power can provide our ever-present help, strength, and power as the living God (see also 2 Timothy 3:1-5). Whether we are concerned about the future or some difficult hardship, we can always turn and talk to the living God, who knows the generations of the future as well as the generations of the past. The living LORD God is trustworthy and forever faithful!

References

Amplified Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1987).

Disciple's Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 1988).

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

NLT Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008).

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Why Obey God? God Blesses Our Obedience

Moses:  ¹ “If you fully obey (listen to the Voice of) the LORD your God and carefully keep all His commands (commandments) that I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. ² You will experience all these blessings if you obey (listen to the Voice of) the LORD your God: ³ Your towns and your fields will be blessed. ⁴ Your children and your crops will be blessed. The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed. ⁵ Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed. ⁶ Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed. ⁷ The LORD will conquer your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven! ⁸ “The LORD will guarantee a blessing on everything you do and will fill your storehouses with grain. The LORD your God will bless you in the land He is giving you.”

⁹ “If you obey the commands (commandments) of the LORD your God and walk in His ways, the LORD will establish you as His holy people as He swore He would do. ¹⁰ Then all the nations of the world will see that you are a people claimed by the LORD, and they will stand in awe of you.”

¹¹ “The LORD will give you prosperity (surplus) in the land He swore to your ancestors to give you, blessing you with many children, numerous livestock, and abundant crops. ¹² The LORD will send rain at the proper time from His rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them. ¹³ If you listen to these commands (commandments) of the LORD your God that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them, the LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top (above) and never at the bottom. ¹⁴ You must not turn away from any of the commands (commandments) I am giving you today, nor follow after other gods and worship (serve) them.” Deuteronomy 28:1-14 (NLT)

This whole chapter of Deuteronomy 28 is a forceful statement of a universal value: those who are faithful to and obey the LORD God will receive His blessings (see Deuteronomy 28:1-14), and those who are unfaithful and disobedient to the LORD God can expect to receive His judgment and wrath (see Deuteronomy 28:15-68). Obedience to the living God and His moral commands leads to God’s blessings such as military success, good crops, healing, and healthy children (see also Exodus 23:22-27; Leviticus 26:3-13; 1 Kings 2:2-4; Psalm 1:1-3). Sadly, our disobedience to the living God and His moral commands leads to suffering such as disease, famine, and military defeat (see also Leviticus 26:14-39; Psalm 1:4-6). Both the Old and New Testament call for God’s people to wholeheartedly and faithfully obey the living God and His moral commandments and point to deserved punishment for those who do not (e.g., see Deuteronomy 10:12-13; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Matthew 5:17-19; Matthew 7:21; John 14:15, 21, 23; John 15:10; James 2:14-20; 1 John 2:2-3; 1 John 5:2-5; Revelation 14:12). God’s commandments –  not legalisms such as the world’s rules, regulations, and ceremonies – are not burdensome (see Matthew 11:30; Matthew 23:4).

The living LORD God is always faithful to His people (e.g., see Deuteronomy 7:9; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Corinthians 10:13), and He expects His people to be faithful and wholeheartedly worship and obey Him (e.g., see Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Deuteronomy 10:12-13). The living God wants to bless you (e.g., see Deuteronomy 6:2, 24; Deuteronomy 28:1-14)! God’s abundant blessings take many different forms and not just material wealth since as military success, healthy bodies, peace of mind, and productive lands (Deuteronomy 28:3-13; see also Leviticus 26:3-13). However, when we are unfaithful and disobedient to the living God, then the LORD God will discipline and punish instead (see Deuteronomy 28:15-68). The living God punishes the disobedient not through blind rage but to develop responsibility, character, and obedience from His people (see also Hebrews 12:5-11). In summary, obedience and faithfulness to the living God bring His blessings while our disobedience and unfaithfulness to the living God and His moral commandments bring His curses. Therefore, we should ALWAYS BE FAITHFUL, COMMITTED, AND OBEDIENT TO THE LIVING LORD GOD! There are always consequences to wrongdoing (e.g., see 2 Kings 17:7-20).

In the opening verses of Deuteronomy 28, Moses strongly instructs the people to wholeheartedly listen and obey the Voice of the LORD God and to practice carefully all the living God’s commandments (Deuteronomy 28:1; see also Exodus 15:26). Through our faithful obedience to His Voice and His moral commandments, the living LORD God promised to bless His people and set His people high above all other nations of the earth (Deuteronomy 28:1-2; see also Exodus 19:5-6; Deuteronomy 7:6; Deuteronomy 26:19). If we listen obediently to the Voice of LORD God and wholeheartedly obey all His commandments, then the living God promised the following blessings:

·         blessed shall you be in the city and the country (Deuteronomy 28:3; see also Psalm 119:1; Psalm 128:1, 4-6);

·         blessed shall be your children, the produce of your grounds, and the increase of your flocks and herds (Deuteronomy 28:4, 11; see also Exodus 25:26; Leviticus 26:9; Deuteronomy 7:12-13);

·         blessed shall be your fruit and bread (see Deuteronomy 28:5);

·         blessings shall be in your life when you come in and when you go out (Deuteronomy 28:6; see also Psalm 121:8).

Moreover, through our obedience to His Voice and moral commandments, the living God will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face (Deuteronomy 28:7; see also Exodus 23:22, 27; Leviticus 26:7-8). The living God will cause your enemies to come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways (see Deuteronomy 28:7). A part of the blessing of obedience to God is that enemies, concrete or abstract, flee. Even more, the LORD God will command His blessing on you, bless your land, and prosper the work of your hands (Deuteronomy 28:8; see also Leviticus 25:21; Deuteronomy 15:10). The LORD God will guarantee His blessing on everything you do and will fill your storehouses with plenty (see also Leviticus 26:5).

Then, Moses declared to the people that through our keeping the living God’s moral commandments and walking in His righteous ways, the living God will change and establish you into His holy people dedicated to Himself (Deuteronomy 28:9; see also Exodus 19:5-6). Afterwards, all peoples of the earth will see that you are called by the Name of the LORD God, and they will be afraid and in awe of you (Deuteronomy 28:10; see also Exodus 34:6-7).  Through our obedience to the LORD God’s Voice and His commandments, the living God’s Presence (Name) will be with you – that is the Holy Spirit of God (Deuteronomy 28:10; see also Exodus 23:20-33; Leviticus 26:3, 11-13; Jeremiah 7:23; Jeremiah 11:4; John 14:15-17, 21, 23).

Even more, through our obedience to His Voice and keeping His moral commandments, the LORD God promised to give you an abundance of many children, many cattle, and abundant crops (Deuteronomy 28:11; see also Leviticus 26:9).  Also, the living God will open to you His wonderful treasuries from heaven and give His rain for fine crops every season (Deuteronomy 28:12; see also Leviticus 26:4; Deuteronomy 11:13-15). Moreover, the living God promises to bless the work of your hands and everything you do through our obedience to His Voice and keeping His moral commandments (Deuteronomy 28:12; see also Deuteronomy 8:17-18). In other words, the living God will bless His people in their daily work, care for them, and prosper their efforts. Furthermore, you will be a lender to many nations, but shall not borrow from anyone through obedience to His Voice and keeping His moral commandments (Deuteronomy 28:12; see also Psalm 37:26). Finally, the living God promised if you will obey His Voice and keep His moral commandments, then He will make you the head and not the tail, above and not beneath (see Deuteronomy 28:13).

Moses strongly proclaimed that all God’s abundant blessings depend upon His people wholeheartedly obeying the living God’s Voice and His righteous commandments (Deuteronomy 28:14; e.g., see also Deuteronomy 5:32; Joshua 1:7-8; James 1:22-25). The greatest of all God’s moral commandments is to never seek after and worship other gods (Deuteronomy 28:14; see also Leviticus 26:1-2; Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Matthew 22:37). The Holy Scriptures clearly proclaim that God’s abundant blessings and His Presence comes to those who honor and respect Him and humbly walk in all His righteous ways (e.g., see Psalm 119:1; Psalm 121:3-8; Psalm 128:1-4; Revelation 21:1-8). Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD (e.g., see Exodus 19:5; Psalm 33:12; Psalm 144:15; Psalm 146:5).

The Lord Jesus Christ proclaimed in the great Sermon on the Mount that He did not come to cancel the commandments of God nor the writings of Old Testament the prophets but obedience to His Father’s commandments (Matthew 5:17-19; see also Mark 13:31; Luke 16:17; Romans 3:31). In fact, believers of Jesus are under the same covenant originally given to Israel at Mount Sinai (e.g., see Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; John 14:15-16, 20-21, 23; John 15:9-10; 1 John 2:3-5; 2 John 1:6). The old covenant – the Ten Commandments – was written on stone by the LORD God’s finger for Israel to obey (e.g., see also Exodus 31:18; Exodus 32:15-16; Exodus 34:1, 27-28; Deuteronomy 4:13; Deuteronomy 5:22; Deuteronomy 10:1-4). However, the ancient Israel often broke and disobeyed God and His righteous laws (e.g., see Exodus 32; Jeremiah 11:10-11; Jeremiah 34:18; Malachi 2:8). The LORD God wrote His moral commandments given to Moses on stone tablets and not on the human heart. Thus, the old system of the law on stone tablets was powerless to purge away our sins and transform our heart and minds from within (2 Corinthians 3:3, 7; see also Exodus 24:12; Exodus 31:18; Exodus 32:15-16; Exodus 34:1; Deuteronomy 9:10; Romans 8:3).

The Old Testament prophets predicted that this old covenant will now be written on our hearts which is what the Lord Jesus Christ has done through faith in Him (e.g., see Jeremiah 31:31-34; Jeremiah 32:37-41; Ezekiel 11:19-21; Ezekiel 36:24-27; Hebrews 8:8-12; Hebrews 10:16). Through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we become one with God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and the living God writes the covenant – the Ten Commandments – on our hearts! The new covenant instituted at Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death brings a new and transformed heart and mind by the Holy Spirit and declares everyone righteous who believe and obey Jesus and the Gospel message (2 Corinthians 3:6-9, 11-12; see also John 3:3-8; Romans 3:28; Romans 5:1-5; Galatians 3:2-5). Through faith in God’s Son Jesus, God’s original commandments are now engraved inwardly onto believers’ hearts and minds and it is no longer an external set of rules and principles (2 Corinthians 3:3-4; e.g., see also Jeremiah 31:31-34; Jeremiah 32:37-41; Ezekiel 11:19-21; Ezekiel 36:24-27). The Holy Spirit works inside believer to activate our consciences, influence our motives and desires, and make us want to obey God (see Romans 8:2, 5; 2 Corinthians 4:4-6).

Sadly, during Jesus’ years on earth and even today, many religious leaders are guilty of taking away from God’s Law – the Ten Commandments – by replacing God’s commandments with their own traditions and rituals that were not given by God (e.g., see Matthew 15:3-9; Mark 7:1-13). Such rules and regulations may seem holy, but they are legalism. Jesus rebuked these religious leaders for adding to God’s laws (see Matthew 23:1-4). The living God wants everyone to listen to His Voice and practice commandments down in our hearts because obedience to God’s Voice and His commandments brings our salvation and blessings (e.g., see Deuteronomy 26:16-17; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Malachi 3:14-18; Matthew 12:36; Matthew 19:16-19; Luke 8:12, 15; Romans 2:16; Romans 14:10, 12; 1 Corinthians 4:5). 

From Our Heart

Moses: ¹⁶ “Today the LORD your God has commanded you to obey all these decrees and regulations. So be careful to obey (do and keep) them wholeheartedly (all your heart and mind). ¹⁷ You have declared (openly) today that the LORD is your God. And you have promised (pledged) to walk in His ways, and to obey (keep) His decrees, commands, and regulations, and to do everything He tells you (listen to His voice). ¹⁸ The LORD has declared today that you are His people, His own special treasure, just as He promised, and that you must obey (keep) all His commands. ¹⁹ And if you do, He will set you high above all the other nations He has made. Then you will receive praise, honor, and renown. You will be a nation that is holy to the LORD your God, just as He promised.” Deuteronomy 26:16-19 (NLT)

The Law of God from the Old Testament has many rules and regulations, and the book of Deuteronomy summarizes these many rules and regulations. Thus, Biblical scholars often call the book of Deuteronomy the “second law.” In Deuteronomy, Moses summarizes God’s teaching and events from Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. Moreover, Deuteronomy repeated verbatim the Ten Commandments and other laws given at Mount Sinai as recorded at Exodus chapters 20 through 24 (e.g., see Deuteronomy 4:44 – 5:33).

The first generation of Israelites leaving Egypt and many other Israelite generations thereafter were often unfaithful and disobedient to the living God and His moral commands (e.g., see Exodus 32:1-35; Deuteronomy 32:8-14; 2 Kings 17:7-23; 2 Kings 18:9-12; 2 Kings 21:2-16; 2 Kings 23:26-28; 2 Kings 24:3; 2 Kings 25:1-22; 2 Chronicles 33:1-9). Often, the ancient Israelites did not have faith (trust and belief) that the living God would care and provide for them and they looked to other gods (e.g., see Deuteronomy 9:23-24; Deuteronomy 31:27; Psalm 106:24-25)! The living God is faithful and loving (e.g., see Deuteronomy 7:9; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 John 1:9), and He wanted to be Israel’s protector and provider (e.g., see Exodus 23:25; Deuteronomy 7:9, 12-15; Ezra 8:22; Psalm 7:10; Psalm 119:64). Sadly, lacking faith and obedience to the living God brings His displeasure and grievance.

Deuteronomy makes clear; however, that the Law of God was meant to penetrate a person’s heart, soul, and mind (Deuteronomy 26:16; see also Deuteronomy 6:6; Deuteronomy 32:46; Isaiah 51:7; Jeremiah 31:33). Because of God’s gracious love and compassion for all people (e.g., see Psalm 103:8-10; John 3:16), Moses’ primary concern was that Israel responds with wholehearted love and obedience to God (e.g., see Deuteronomy 4:37; Deuteronomy 7:7-8; Deuteronomy 10:15; Deuteronomy 23:5). From the very beginning, the living God was not impressed with our outward rules, regulations, and rituals, but our inner attitudes and motives of the heart were important to God (e.g., see Leviticus 26:41-43; 1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 51:17; Isaiah 1:10-20; Isaiah 66:3; Jeremiah 4:4; Jeremiah 6:20; Jeremiah 7:22-23; Jeremiah 22:3, 16; Hosea 6:6; Amos 5:21; Micah 6:6-8; Romans 2:28-29). Repeatedly, the living God commanded Israel to follow His commandments, trust Him with all their heart and all their soul, and walk in all His ways (Deuteronomy 26:17-18; e.g., see also Deuteronomy 4:29; Deuteronomy 5:29; Deuteronomy 6:5; Deuteronomy 10:12; Deuteronomy 11:13; Deuteronomy 12:12-13; Proverbs 3:5-6). Unless the Law of God becomes part of a person’s inner attitudes, it will probably make no difference. God has always wanted our wholehearted love, faithfulness, and obedience towards Him (Deuteronomy 6:4-6; see also Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27). In other words, God wants our total devotion to Him from our hearts and not our lip service (see Matthew 6:33). Even from the book of Genesis, the living God created the world and people (humans), so they would have a faithful relationship and union with Him and become His holy people like Him (e.g., see Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 6:9-10; Genesis 15:6; Exodus 19:5-8; Leviticus 11:44-45; Habakkuk 2:2-4; Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6-9; James 2:23-24).

In addition, God wants our unfailing love, mercy, truth, kindness, compassion, patience, forgiveness and faithfulness towards others (Luke 10:25-37; see also Leviticus 19:18; Micah 6:6-8; John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:19-21). The living God gave the people His commandments and statutes so they that they will love their neighbors and do them good and not evil (e.g., see Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 22:1-4; Romans 13:10). These good fruits (works) reflect God’s very character and nature (Exodus 34:6-7; see also Galatians 5:22-23; Colossians 3:12-15).

At least 15 times in Deuteronomy, Moses repeatedly tells Israel to wholeheartedly love and obey God. Through our wholehearted love, trust, and obedience to the living God and His righteous commandments, we would be His holy people and receive God’s life, favor (grace), and blessings (Deuteronomy 26:18-19; e.g., see also Exodus 19:5-6; Deuteronomy 4:40; Deuteronomy 6:24-25; Deuteronomy 11:9; Deuteronomy 12:28; Deuteronomy 28:1, 9; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Peter 2:9-10). Life itself depended on keeping and obeying God’s righteous commandments and ordinances from our whole hearts (e.g., see Deuteronomy 4:1; Deuteronomy 5:32-33; Deuteronomy 8:1; Deuteronomy 16:20). Obedience to God’s laws leads to life and possession of God’s good promises (e.g., see Deuteronomy 6:24-25; Joshua 1:7-9).  Even more through our trust and obedience to the living God, He promised to be with and live with us – His Presence (e.g., see Leviticus 26:9-12). God is more concerned about hearts (Matthew 15:16-20), and only He sees our hearts – the way we are deep down (1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Chronicles 28:9; Matthew 21:27; 1 Corinthians 13:12).

The Law of God is embodied most famously in the Ten Commandments (see Deuteronomy 5:6-21), and most concisely in the Shema (see Deuteronomy 6:4-9). All other laws of God (approximately 613) and the Old Testament Prophets are interpretations and applications of God’s Ten Commandments and the Shema (see Matthew 22:34-40). In Deuteronomy chapters 12:1 through 26:15, the living God through His servant Moses gave Israel specific applications to the Ten Commandments. In these chapters, the living God gave Israel guidelines and applications of the Ten Commandments in everyday life such as appointing leaders, prophecy, generosity, handling civil disputes, military matters, parenting, sexual purity, divorce, and many other regulations.

The essences of the entire Law and the Prophets are to love, obey and worship exclusively the LORD God FIRST and to love one another (Deuteronomy 4:3; see also Leviticus 19:18; Exodus 20:4-6; Deuteronomy 5:7; Matthew 7:12; Matthew 22:34-40; Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:13-14). Loving God and loving others reflect the very nature of God’s Son, Jesus (e.g., see Philippians 2:1-11). Thus, God’s laws are just as applicable today as first given to Israel at Mount Sinai, repeated by Moses in Deuteronomy, and reaffirmed in the New Testament (see Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21; Matthew 19:16-19; Matthew 22:34-40; Romans 12:9-21; Romans 13:8-10). Jesus Christ extended this all-important law to the church – love His Father, the LORD God (see Matthew 22:37). Israel was never to worship other gods or idols but to seek and worship wholeheartedly the living God (Deuteronomy 4:3-4; see also Amos 5:4-6; Micah 6:6-8; Zechariah 1:3-4). God’s Son Jesus is our primary example to follow because He alone perfectly obeyed all God’s laws and modeled the laws true spiritual intent.

After Moses gave Israel specific applications to the Ten Commandment, Moses and the leaders (priests and elders) of Israel instructed the people to wholeheartedly obey all the commands of the living God when they crossed the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land of the LORD God (see Deuteronomy 27:1-3, 9-10). Once in the Promised Land, Moses instructed Israel to set up some large stones and coat these large stones with plaster and then write this whole body of instruction on the large stones -the Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 27:3-4, 8; see also Joshua 8:30-32). Then in the Promised Land, Israel is to build an altar to the LORD God and then set up these stones at Mount Ebal with joyful feasting, offerings, and celebration (see Deuteronomy 27:4-7).

At that moment, Moses and the Levitical priests addressed all Israel and instructed Israel to proclaim blessings that followings obedience to God and curses that followings disobedience to the living God (see Deuteronomy 27:9-14). Moses and the leaders once again announced to Israel that the living God’s curses come upon those who:

1.   makes and worships an idol – handmade gods (Deuteronomy 27:15; see also Exodus 20:1-6, 23);

2.   dishonors and mistreats his father or mother (Deuteronomy 27:16; see also Exodus 20:12);

3.   steals property from a neighbor (Deuteronomy 27:17; see also Exodus 20:15; Deuteronomy 19:14);

4.   leads and takes advantage of a blind person or anyone with disabilities (Deuteronomy 27:18; see also Leviticus 19:14);

5.   denies justice and fairness to foreigners, orphans, or widows (Deuteronomy 27:19; see also Exodus 22:21-24; Deuteronomy 14:28-29; Deuteronomy 24:17-18; Luke 18:1-8); 

6.   violates sexual purity and have sexual intercourse (adultery) with one of his father’s wives, an animal, his sister, or his mother-in-law (Deuteronomy 27:20-23; see also Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 18:6-23; Leviticus 20:10-21; Deuteronomy 22:30);

7.   who attacks a neighbor in secret (Deuteronomy 27:24; see also Exodus 20:13; Exodus 21:12);

8.   accepts payment (bribe) to kill or harm an innocent person (Deuteronomy 27:25; see also Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:19-20).   

Then, Moses gave Israel the final curse (see Deuteronomy 27:26). Everyone is cursed who does not obey and listen to the words of this Law (voice of God) by doing and practicing them (Deuteronomy 27:26; see also Leviticus 26:14-39; Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Psalm 119:21). The Apostle Paul in the New Testament used the last and final course from Deuteronomy 27:26 to show that no one could be justified, saved, and win God’s favor (grace) by obeying the Law (see Galatians 3:10-11). From the very beginning, the living God declared the only way we can be right in His sight is by faith, which means trusting wholeheartedly in the living God (e.g., see Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:2-4; Romans 1:15-16; Galatians 2:16). The Good News is that the Lord Jesus Christ has redeemed us from the curses of the Law by taking the curse for our wrongdoing upon Himself (see Galatians 3:13). To say that we have kept some of the Law of God does not excuse us, for to break one is to break them all (see James 2:10-11). 

Amazingly through our faith in the living God’s Son the Lord Jesus Christ, we received the Holy Spirit of God within our hearts and the living God writes His Law on our hearts which empowers and strengthens us to obey the Law (Galatians 3:14; e.g., see also Jeremiah 31:31-34; Jeremiah 32:37-41; Ezekiel 11:19-21; Ezekiel 36:24-27; 2 Corinthians 3:3-4). The Holy Spirit works inside believers to activate our consciences, influence our motives and desires, and make us want to obey God (see Romans 8:2, 5). Now doing God’s will is something believers genuinely desire with all our heart and mind (see 2 Corinthians 4:4-6).

In summary, we must continually stand firm by trusting and obeying the living LORD God and His ways with all our hearts (e.g., see Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Peter 5:8-9) and fleeing evil ways (e.g., see Galatians 5:19-21). Even during times of difficulty and hardship, God’s people must continually have faith and obedience in the living God and His righteous ways. The Lord Jesus Christ continually taught God’s people they may suffer losses and persecution in this world, but they must continually be of good cheer and peace because He has overcome and conquered the world (John 16:33; see also Matthew 10:22-23; Matthew 24:12-14; Mark 4:17; Mark 13:13).

References

Amplified Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1987).

New Student Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary – Old Testament (Victor Books, 1989).