Your First Love

Moses:   ⁴ “Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. ⁵ And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength (might, power). ⁶ And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. ⁷ Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. ⁸ Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. ⁹ Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NLT)

Deuteronomy 6 is probably one of the most important and most quoted chapters of the entire Holy Bible. In this chapter, Moses teaches the people the importance of wholehearted love, devotion, obedience, allegiance, and commitment to the LORD God of their first true love. Even more, the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior also quoted from Deuteronomy 6 to explain the first and greatest commandment of the Holy Bible – loving God first (see Matthew 6:33; Matthew 22:37-38; Mark 12:29-30; Luke 10:27-28). Even more, Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 6 to defeat Satan’s temptations and reveal His total devotion, allegiance, trust, commitment, and worship to His Father, the living God (see Matthew 4:7, 10; Luke 4:8, 12, quoting Deuteronomy 6:13, 16). All faithful believers of Jesus are to do likewise – faithfully trust, love, and worship Jesus’ Father, the living LORD God (see Philippians 2:1-2; Hebrews 12:2).

Deuteronomy 6 begins with Moses, a faithful servant of the living God, instructing a new generation of Israelites about to enter God’s Promised Land the importance of wholeheartedly and faithfully loving, honoring, and obeying God and His moral commandments (Deuteronomy 6:1-2, 6; see also Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Joshua 24:14-15; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Moses assured the people that reverence and obedience to God and His commandments would bring God’s blessings, life, and prosperity now and for generations to come (Deuteronomy 6:2-3; e.g., see also Genesis 17:1; Genesis 26:5; Deuteronomy 4:40; Deuteronomy 32:46).

The Ten Commandments are the central requirements of God’s covenant given at Mount Sinai and are the heart of morality for all generations (see Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21). Even more, the Ten Commandments summarize what the LORD God requires of His people concerning faith, worship, and conduct. The living God wanted to protect life from murder, respect marriage as holy, protect private property from theft, honor the truth, maintain order in family life, and set aside a day for worship of Him as their only God (e.g., see Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21; Deuteronomy 32:35; Matthew 19:16-19; Romans 12:9-21; Romans 13:8-10).

Jewish rabbis counted 613 individual statues in the Old Testament Law given by the living God through Moses. However, the heart of God’s Law is found most famously in the Ten Commandments, also known as the Ten Words or the Decalogue (Deuteronomy 5:6-21; see also Exodus 20:1-17), and most concisely in the Shema from Deuteronomy 6 (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). All other statutes, regulations, and ordinances of God (approximately 613) and the Old Testament Prophets are interpretations and applications of God’s Ten Commandments and the Shema. The Ten Commandments Moses gave in Exodus 20, repeated at Deuteronomy 5, reaffirmed by Joshua at Joshua 24, and explained by Jesus Christ on the Sermon on the Mount at Matthew chapters 5 through 7 summarize the central core of morality, faith, and worship for all generations. The very essence of the Law and Prophets is the truth that there is only one God, who is the Father of Jesus, and we must love, honor, and worship Him FIRST and obey His moral commandments (e.g., see Exodus 20:3-5; Deuteronomy 6:4-6, 13; Matthew 4:10; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 22:37; Luke 4:4; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6).

Next, we are to love one another and be good, righteous, and kind to others (Deuteronomy 6:18-19; e.g., see also Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:43-48; Matthew 19:19; Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 6:27-36; Luke 10:27; John 13:34-35; John 15:17; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14). Love does not harm to its neighbor, but good (e.g., see Proverbs 3:3; Romans 13:10). The living God describes love as “patient and kind . . . not jealous or boastful or proud or rude . . . does not demand its own way. . . not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. . . does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NLT). Amazingly, the definition of love describes the living God and the fruits of the Holy Spirit (see Exodus 34:6-7; Galatians 5:22-23). The Holy Scriptures reveal the disastrous natural consequences and judgments that follow for those who violated God’s covenant – the Ten Commandments – by worshipping other gods and hurting others (e.g., see 2 Kings 17:7-23; 2 Kings 18:9-12; 2 Kings 21:12-15; 2 Kings 23:26-28; 2 Kings 24:3).

Moses reminded a new generation of Israelites that faith, reverence, and obedience to the living LORD God would make Israel into a great nation in a glorious land “flowing with milk and honey” as the LORD God promised their forefathers – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deuteronomy 6:3, 10; see also; Exodus 3:8; Exodus 19:5-6; Deuteronomy 26:9, 15; Deuteronomy 27:3; Deuteronomy 31:20). The living God is faithful, 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). God’s gracious and unconditional promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob gave Israel ownership of God’s Promised Land, but Israel’s faith and obedience to the LORD God guaranteed their possession and enjoyment of the land (Genesis 15:18-21; see also Exodus 6:8; Exodus 33:1; Deuteronomy 1:8, 11, 21, 35; Deuteronomy 9:5, 27; Deuteronomy 29:13; Deuteronomy 30:20; Deuteronomy 34:4).

Forty years earlier, the living God had come down from heaven to rescue Israel from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey (see Exodus 3:8). However, the first generation of Israelites leaving Egyptian slavery repeatedly rejected God’s love, rebelled against His authority, and ignored His commands for right living (e.g., see Exodus 32:1-35; Numbers 14:9-12; Numbers 21:4-7; Numbers 25:1-9; Deuteronomy 1:28; Deuteronomy 9:23-24; Deuteronomy 32:8-14; Psalm 106:24-27; Acts 7:39-43). The first generation was in the camp of God, but their hearts and minds were still in Egypt. Because of their repeated disobedience and rebellion, the first generation of Israelites wandered the wilderness desert for 40 years and eventually died in the wilderness (see Numbers 14:21-23, 28-30; Deuteronomy 1:35-38; Deuteronomy 32:13; Joshua 5:6). Now, a new generation of Israelites listened to Moses’ farewell address in Deuteronomy as they prepared to enter God’s Promised Land (Deuteronomy 1:1-3, 5, 39-40).

In Deuteronomy 6, Moses taught a new generation of Israelites the heart of the Law and the entire Holy Bible. Moses instructed Israel:

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (ESV)

Moses instructed Israel to always recognize and acknowledge with our entire being that there is only one true and living God, the God of Israel, and we must love and worship Him only with all our heart, soul, mind, intellect, power, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; see also Matthew 22:27; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27). The LORD God is the only LORD of heaven and earth, and we must love the LORD and the living God must be our first love (Deuteronomy 6:4-6; e.g., see also Deuteronomy 4:35, 39; Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 86:10-11; Isaiah 44:6; Acts 17:22-29; Ephesians 4:6). This great commandment requires a heart that totally loves the LORD God first. Amazingly, Deuteronomy 6 anticipates the new covenant, when the living God’s commandments will be truly and effectively written on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34; see also Deuteronomy 30:6-8).

Monotheism — belief in only one God — was unique to Jewish religion because many ancient religions believed in many gods (see Deuteronomy 4:35, 39; 1 Samuel 2:2; 1 Kings 8:60-61). Moses instructed the people that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the God and King of the whole earth, and He is the only true God (see also Psalm 47:7; Zechariah 14:9). Israel and later faithful followers of Jesus Christ are to be God’s kingdom people – a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (see Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:5, 9-10; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10; Revelation 20:6). To love the LORD God is to be His loyal and obedient servants. God has raised up many leaders and faithful prophets to continually remind not only Israel but the entire world that the LORD God of Israel is the only true and living God alone, and He is God over all the kingdoms of the earth (e.g., see 1 Kings 18:30-39; 2 Kings 19:15-19; Nehemiah 9:5-6; Psalm 86:9-10; Isaiah 44:6; Jeremiah 10:10-12).

Later, Jesus Christ repeated Moses’ instructions from Deuteronomy and instructed His disciples to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (see Matthew 22:37-38; Mark 12:29-30; Luke 10:27-28; quoting Deuteronomy 6:4-5). According to Jesus Christ, loving God with all our heart, minds, and strength is the first and greatest commandment (see Matthew 22:37-39). This command, combined with the command to love your neighbor (see Leviticus 19:18), fulfills and embraces all the Old and New Testament (see Matthew 7:12; Matthew 22:34-40; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; John 15:17; see also Romans 13:8, 10; Galatians 5:14; Colossians 3:14; James 2:8)! If you love the LORD God with a total heart commitment and love you neighbor as yourself, you are doing right and perfect (see Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Matthew 5:43; James 2:8).  

Some people question the validity of the Trinity (Godhead) – God the Father, God the Son Jesus, and God the Spirit – and whether we can worship Jesus because of Deuteronomy’s command: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD” (see Deuteronomy 6:4, KJV). However, the Holy Scriptures reference the Trinity at various locations (see e.g., Genesis 1:1-3; 26-27; Matthew 28:19-20; John 14:16, 26; John 16:13-15; John 20:21-22; Romans 15:16, 30; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Galatians 4:4-6; Ephesians 2:18; Ephesians 4:4-6; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15; 1 Peter 1:1-2; 1 John 4:2, 13-14; Jude 20-21). The clearest image of the Trinity was revealed at Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist where Jesus, God the Son, was anointed for His public ministry by God the Spirit, descending as a dove, with God the Father’s declaration from heaven, “This is My beloved Son, which whom I am well pleased” (see Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22).

There is one living God, and He exists in three Persons – God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Spirit (e.g., see John 17:3, 11, 21-23; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6). This doctrine of one God that exists as three Persons is known as the Trinity, the Godhead, or the Triune God. God the Father is presently living on His throne (e.g., see Isaiah 6:1; Daniel 7:9; Revelation 4:2) and God’s Son Jesus is presently at the living God’s right hand (e.g., see Mark 16:19; Acts 2:33). The Spirit of God also known as the Holy Spirit or the Holy Ghost was sent directly from God the Father and His Son Jesus (e.g., see John 14:26; John 15:26). God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit (also known as the Holy Ghost) are equal in nature but different in role, duties, and relationship. The Holy Spirit receives direction and instructions from both God the Father and God the Son and the Holy Spirit carries out the unified will of both the Father and the Son. The distinctive roles typically have God the Father willing, Jesus the Son completing, and the Holy Spirit applying the work of the Son (see e.g., Genesis 1:1-3, 9-10; Roman 8). Yet, there is a Oneness with Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit (see e.g., Deuteronomy 6:4; Nehemiah 9:6). Jesus is the most definitive revelation of the Godhead because the fullness of God lived in Jesus (see e.g., John 1:1-5, 14, 18; John 14:8-9; John 20:28, 31; Acts 2:36; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Colossians 1:15-20; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:1-4).

God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ are One, and they are LORD (e.g., see John 10:30, 38; John 14:9-10, 20, 23-24; John 17:3, 11, 21-23; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; Ephesians 4:4-6). In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is often called “Lord” (e.g., see Matthew 12:1; Matthew 15:22; Matthew 17:4; Mark 2:22-23; Luke 6:5; John 13:13; John 21:7, 20; Acts 1:6; Acts 2:36; Acts 10:36; Romans 6:23; Romans 8:39; Romans 10:9). Everyone who believes and calls upon the Name of LORD from their whole hearts and obeys God’s righteous commands are One with Jesus, Jesus’ Father – the LORD God, and the Holy Spirit and will be saved (see John 3:15-18; John 14:23-24; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-13; 1 John 3:23-24). Jesus is God, and He is One with His Father, the living LORD God of Israel (e.g., see John 1:1; John 14:9; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Philippians 2:6; Hebrews 1:1-3). 

Next, Moses taught the people to always teach their children and children’s children to faithfully love, honor, and respect the LORD God and obey His moral commandments with their whole hearts (Deuteronomy 6:7; see also Deuteronomy 4:9; Deuteronomy 11:18-19; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4). Nurturing the faith of children through God-centered teaching is one of the greatest privileges and obligations of parenthood. Moses encouraged Israel to explain, teach, and discuss the living God and His righteous commandments to their children and future generations so they and their children will incorporate God and His commandments within their hearts and live god honoring lives (Deuteronomy 6:7-9; see also Deuteronomy 11:18-21).

Moreover, Moses reminded Israel that when the LORD God bring them into the good land He promised their ancestors – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the people must never forget the LORD God and His goodness in graciously giving the land to Israel (Deuteronomy 6:10-12; see also Deuteronomy 8:10-11). The living God was about to give this new generation of Israelites all the Promised Land He promised to give to their ancestors – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deuteronomy 1:8; see also Genesis 13:14-15; Genesis 15:18-21; Genesis 17:7-8; Genesis 26:2-5; Genesis 28:12-15; Genesis 50:24; Deuteronomy 30:19-20). In the Promised Land, the living God would graciously give Israel vast wealth and great cities full of good things — cities they did not build, wells they did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees you did not plant (Deuteronomy 6:11; see also Joshua 24:13; Nehemiah 9:24-25). Moses warned Israel to always wholeheartedly and faithfully love, worship, and honor the living God and not worship the other gods of the nations (Deuteronomy 6:13-14; see also Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:8). The living God, who is Creator of the heavens and earth, is a jealous God, and He will not share His people’s love and worship with any false gods nor idols for the living God will have no rivals (Deuteronomy 6:15; see also Exodus 20:5-6; Deuteronomy 4:24; Deuteronomy 5:8-10; Deuteronomy 32:16-26). As Moses taught and Jesus later reminded Israel, the living God required the people’s FIRST AND WHOLEHEARTED love, devotion, worship, honor, and obedience to Him and His moral commandments (see Deuteronomy 6:4-5, 13, 16-17; Matthew 4:7, 10; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 22:37; Luke 4:8, 12; see John 14:15-16, 20-21, 23; John 15:9-10; 1 John 2:3-5; 2 John 1:6). The living LORD God loves you (see John 3:16).

Finally, Moses taught the people that our wholehearted love of God and obedience to His moral commandments reveals our righteousness and goodness in God’s eyes (Deuteronomy 6:18, 25; see also Genesis 18:19; Psalm 37:3-7, 30-31). Moses equated faithful compliance with the covenant – the Ten Commandments – to righteousness (see Deuteronomy 6:25). Our righteous acts are not “a works-righteousness” but a response to our love for the living LORD God. The LORD God’s finger personally wrote the Ten Commandments, which is the essence of God’s covenant with Israel, and these are the commandments of God (see Exodus 31:18; Exodus 32:15-16; Exodus 34:1, 27-28; Deuteronomy 4:13; Deuteronomy 9:10; Deuteronomy 10:1-4). Obedience to the covenant – the Ten Commandments – is our expression and response of faithful devotion to God and saving faith (see Habakkuk 2:4).

Even more, our love and obedience to the living God and His commandments will bring God’s blessings, provisions, and protection (Deuteronomy 6:3, 18, 25; see also Hebrews 13:5-6). All blessings flow from the living God (see Deuteronomy 8:1-20). Obedience and reverence before the LORD God are the keys to God’s continued blessings, our righteousness, and leads to life (Deuteronomy 6:24-25; see also Leviticus 26:3-13; John 15:7-10; Ephesians 3:16, 19). Israel would be able to defeat their enemies because the living God would fight for and protect them (Deuteronomy 6:19; see also Exodus 23:28-30; Deuteronomy 11:22-25). The living God is filled with great power and mighty miracles, and He blesses all those who love and obey Him (Deuteronomy 6:20-24; see also Romans 10:11-13). Our wholehearted love and obedience to the LORD God leads to life and righteousness while disobedience and dishonoring of the living God leads to death and destruction (e.g., see Deuteronomy 6:25; Deuteronomy 8:19-20; Deuteronomy 11:16-17, 27-28; Deuteronomy 30:19-20). True faith – which means trust, dependence, and allegiance to the LORD God with our whole hearts – leads to life, salvation, and righteousness now and eternally (e.g., see Genesis 15:6; Deuteronomy 32:45-47; Romans 10:8-10).

There is a curious passage in the Talmud (the body of Jewish civil and religious law) which says that Moses gave 600 commands or statutes to the Israelites. As these commands might prove too numerous to commit to memory, David brought these statutes down to eleven at Psalm 15. Then, the prophet Isaiah reduced these statutes from eleven to six in his chapter 33:15. The prophet Micah further reduced the commands to three in his writings (see Micah 6:8), and then the prophet Isaiah further reduced the commands once more and brought the commands down to two (see Isaiah 56:1). From these two commands from the prophet Isaiah, the prophet Amos reduced God’s commands to one (see Amos 5:4). Finally, the prophet Habakkuk taught, “The just shall live by his faith” in God (see Habakkuk 2:4, KJV). Similarly, the apostle Paul also taught the church to live by faith in the living God as originally taught to Abraham (see Genesis 15:6; John 3:36; Romans 1:16-17).  Everyone who calls on the Name of the LORD God will be saved (see Joel 2:32; Romans 10:13).

References

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

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

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).

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

Covenant People

²³ “But when you heard the voice (LORD God) from the heart of the darkness, while the mountain was blazing with fire, all your tribal leaders and elders came to me. ²⁴ They said, ‘Look, the LORD our God has shown us His glory and greatness, and we have heard His voice from the heart of the fire. Today we have seen that God can speak to us humans, and yet we live!’ . . . ²⁹ Oh, that they (Israel) would always have hearts (and minds) like this, that they might (reverently) fear Me and obey all My commands! If they did, they and their descendants would prosper forever. . . . ³² So Moses told the people, ‘You must be careful to obey all the commands of the LORD your God, following His instructions in every detail. ³³ Stay on the path (walk) that the LORD your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.’” Deuteronomy 5:23-24, 29-30, 32-33 (NLT)

Beginning with Deuteronomy 5, the LORD God through His servant Moses gives the people of Israel the heart of His laws. In Deuteronomy chapters 1 through 4, Moses gave a new generation of Israelites a history lesson and a farewell address before they entered God’s Promised Land after 40 years of wilderness wandering (see Deuteronomy 1:1-4:43). Sadly, the first generation of Israelites leaving Egyptian slavery repeatedly rejected God’s love, rebelled against His authority, and ignored His commands for right living (e.g., see Exodus 32:1-35; Numbers 14:9-12; Numbers 21:4-7; Numbers 25:1-9; Deuteronomy 1:28; Deuteronomy 9:23-24; Deuteronomy 32:8-14; Psalm 106:24-27; Acts 7:39-43). Because of their repeated disobedience and rebellion, the first generation of Israelites wandered the wilderness desert for 40 years and eventually died in the wilderness (see Numbers 14:21-23, 28-30; Deuteronomy 1:35-38; Deuteronomy 32:13; Joshua 5:6). Now, a new generation of Israelites listened to Moses’ farewell address in Deuteronomy as they prepared to enter God’s Promised Land (Deuteronomy 1:1-3, 5, 39-40).

Before given the heart of the laws, Moses once again remained Israel how the living God fought for Israel and defeated King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan, two Amorite kings east of God’s Promised Land (Deuteronomy 4:46-47; see also Deuteronomy 2:24-37; Deuteronomy 3:1-11; Deuteronomy 7:2). God gave this conquered land east of His Promised Land to the tribe of Gad, the tribe of Reuben, and the tribe of Manasseh, a descendant of Joseph (Deuteronomy 4:41-44; see also Deuteronomy 3:12-20). The land east of God’s Promised Land refers to what is now known as the kingdom of Jordan, or traditionally the Transjordan (see Deuteronomy 1:1). Also, Moses instructed the people of Israel to set apart three cities east of the Promised Land for anyone who accidentally killed someone could flee for safety (see Deuteronomy 4:41-43).

Beginning with Deuteronomy 5, Moses issued to Israel the Law of God, also known as the covenant or promise, for Israel to do and obey (see Deuteronomy 5:1-26:19). As a reminder, the living God first gave Israel His righteous commands after His gracious deliverance and redemption from Egyptian slavery (e.g., see Exodus 6:1-14:31; Exodus 13:3; Exodus 20:2; Exodus 29:46; Psalm 81:10). Originally, the LORD God made a covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai (also known as Mount Horeb) (Deuteronomy 5:2; see also Exodus 19:5-6). At Mount Sinai, the living God spoke to Israel face to face from the center of the fire (Deuteronomy 5:4; see also Deuteronomy 4:12; Exodus 19:16-19). Moses acted only as an intermediary or mediator between Israel and the living God (Deuteronomy 5:5; see also Exodus 20:18-21). In Deuteronomy, Moses is reaffirming the covenant given to the second generation of Israelites about to enter God’s Promised Land.

The heart of Law is found most famously in the Ten Commandments, also known as the Ten Words or the Decalogue (Deuteronomy 5:6-21; see also Exodus 20:1-17), and most succinctly in the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). Many biblical scholars liken the Ten Commandments to the United States Constitution. In fact, the rest of the Old Testament builds on what took place at Mount Sinai with the giving of the covenant. Exodus chapters 20 through 23 contain the actual covenant – a treaty or promise between God and Israel (see Exodus 20:1-23:19). The Ten Commandments given in Exodus 20, repeated at Deuteronomy 5, reaffirmed by Joshua at Joshua 24, and explained by Jesus Christ on the Sermon on the Mount at Matthew chapters 5 through 7 summarize the central core of morality, faith, and worship for all generations. All other laws of the Holy Scriptures are interpretations and applications of these primary principles. Jesus Christ our Savior also taught His disciples to obey His Father’s Ten Commandments and the demands of the Shema (see Matthew 5:17-20; Matthew 22:37-40) as an expression of love, commitment, and faithfulness to His gracious Father, the living LORD God (see John 14:15-16, 20-21, 23; John 15:9-10; 1 John 2:3-5; 2 John 1:6). The essence of the covenant - the Ten Commandments – is to love, faithfulness, and obey the LORD God which leads to life, salvation, and righteousness (e.g., see Genesis 15:6; Leviticus 18:3-5; Matthew 19:17; Galatians 3:6-9). The covenant given at Mount Sinai is the outgrowth and extension of God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendants (see Genesis 17:9)

From Mount Sinai, the living God proclaimed His covenant – the Ten Commandments – to Israel through His servant Moses that Israel must obey (Deuteronomy 4:13; see also Exodus 20:1-Exodus 23:19). The LORD God’s finger personally wrote the Ten Commandments, which is the essence of God’s covenant with Israel (see Exodus 31:18; Exodus 32:15-16; Exodus 34:1, 27-28; Deuteronomy 4:13; Deuteronomy 9:10; Deuteronomy 10:1-4). Though many of the subsequent laws that were given to Israel at Mount Sinai are no longer relevant, what God’s finger wrote on tablets of stone – the Ten Commandments – are indeed God’s will for all time for all people – Jews and non-Jews (Gentiles).

From Mount Sinai, the LORD God declared to Israel the following:

⁶ “I am the LORD your God; I brought you out of the land of Egypt where you were slaves. ⁷ You must not have any other gods except Me. ⁸ You must not make for yourselves any idols or anything to worship that looks like something in the sky above or on the earth below or in the water below the land. ⁹ You must not worship or serve any idol, because I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God. If people sin against Me and hate Me, I will punish their children, even their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. ¹⁰ But I will be very kind for a thousand lifetimes to those who love Me and obey My commands. ¹¹ You must not use the Name of the LORD your God thoughtlessly, because the LORD will punish anyone who uses His Name in this way. ¹² Keep the Sabbath as a holy day, as the LORD your God has commanded you. ¹³ You may work and get everything done during six days each week, ¹⁴ but the seventh day is a day of rest to honor the LORD your God. On that day, no one may do any work: not you, your son or daughter, your male or female slaves, your ox, your donkey, or any of your animals, or the foreigners living in your cities. That way your servants may rest as you do. ¹⁵ Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there by His great power and strength. So the LORD your God has commanded you to rest on the Sabbath day. ¹⁶ Honor your father and your mother as the LORD your God has commanded you. Then you will live a long time, and things will go well for you in the land that the LORD your God is going to give you. ¹⁷ You must not murder anyone. ¹⁸ You must not be guilty of adultery. ¹⁹ You must not steal. ²⁰ You must not tell lies (falsehood) about your neighbor. ²¹ You must not want to take your neighbor’s wife. You must not want to take your neighbor’s house or land, his male or female slaves, his ox or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Deuteronomy 5:6-21 (NCV)

First, the LORD God commanded Israel never to worship any other god but Him (Deuteronomy 5:6-7; see also Exodus 20:2-3; Deuteronomy 6:4-6). Jesus Christ has also commanded the church to worship, love, and serve His Father, the LORD God FIRST (e.g., see Matthew 4:10; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 22:37). The very essence of the covenant – the Law – is the truth that there is only one God, who is the Father of Jesus, and we must worship Him FIRST and ONLY (e.g., see Deuteronomy 6:4-6, 13; Matthew 4:10; Matthew 6:33; Luke 4:4; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6). The living LORD God and His Son Jesus Christ are One (e.g., see John 10:38; John 14:10-11, 20; John 17:21). The true and living God is reigning, sovereign, omnipotent, and omnipresent (Revelation 4:1-11; Revelation 19:6; see also Exodus 15:11; 2 Chronicles 6:14, 18; Isaiah 6:1-8; Ezekiel 1:26-28; 1 Timothy 6:15-16).

Next, the living God commanded Israel never make and worship any idols, including worshipping any images, whether of birds, animals, or fish (Deuteronomy 5:8-9; see also Exodus 20:4-5; Deuteronomy 4:15-18). The Holy Scriptures forbid the making of idols or setting up any images or sacred stones to worship (see also Leviticus 26:1; Deuteronomy 4:15-18). The LORD God is a jealous God, and He commands Israel’s wholehearted love, affection, allegiance, and worship first and exclusively (Deuteronomy 5:9; see also Exodus 20:5; Exodus 34:14). God will not share His worship with another. The living God warned Israel that worshipping other gods, craves images, or idols would lead to His anger, punishment and wrath on them and their descendants (Deuteronomy 5:9; see also Exodus 20:5). At Mount Sinai, the living God entered into a covenant or marriage with Israel, and idolatry was a breach of that marriage covenant and the equivalent of adultery (see Exodus 19:1-6; Jeremiah 31:32). However, the LORD God promised to shower His goodness, mercy, and love on Israel and their descendants to a thousand generations for those who love Him and obey His commandments (Deuteronomy 5:10; see also Exodus 20:6; Exodus 34:7; Numbers 14:18; Deuteronomy 7:9). The sins of one generation have aftermaths for generations to come (e.g., see Exodus 20:5; Exodus 34:7). God does permit the sad consequences of those sins to affect future generations, physically, mentally, and spiritually (see Exodus 34:7). The impact of David’s sins with Bathsheba on his children is a classic example of sins’ consequences (see 2 Samuel 11:1-13:29). The living God forgave David after his sins with Bathsheba, but David paid the penalties! The good news of the Gospel is that through faith and belief in God’s Son Jesus we are grafted and adopted into God’s family line with all His inheritances (e.g., see John 1:12-13; John 3:3-8; Romans 8:14-16, 21; 1 John 5:1-5).

Next, the LORD God commanded Israel never to misuse His Name to make a promise they do not intend to keep and never to use His Name thoughtless, profanely, and vulgarly nor as a magic charm (Deuteronomy 5:11; see also Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 19:12). The LORD God’s Name must be kept holy and respected. Using God’s Name under oath to defend a dishonest or false statement, as well as cursing and swearing, are ways of dishonoring the LORD God’s Name. Jesus Christ also extended His Father’s command on the Sermon on the Mount regarding oaths (see Matthew 5:33-37). However, we can always use the LORD God’s Name in praise and worship because the LORD God is our praise and our song (see Exodus 15:2; Deuteronomy 10:21). The LORD God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, and His Name must always be honored and respected (see Deuteronomy 10:17, 20-21).

The LORD God’s Name represents His character, nature, and very goodness (see Exodus 33:19; Exodus 34:5). Truly, the living God is patient, forgiving, good, and full of compassion and mercy (see Exodus 34:6-7; Numbers 14:17-18; Psalm 145:8-9; Nahum 1:3; James 5:11). The living God does not stay angry forever but delights to show His mercy and compassion (see Micah 7:18). Moreover, the Name of the LORD is a strong tower, and everyone finds safety and salvation in the LORD’s Name (see Proverbs 18:10). Everyone who calls on the Name of the LORD shall be saved and adopted into God’s family (see Joel 2:32; John 1:12-13; Acts 2:21; Acts 4:10-12; Acts 10:43; Romans 10:12-13). The LORD God richly blesses all who call on Him (see Romans 10:12).

In the Fourth Commandment, the LORD God commanded Israel to observe the Sabbath and keep the Sabbath day holy (Deuteronomy 5:12-16; see also Exodus 20:8-11). The Sabbath day celebrated God’s rested after the work of creation (see Genesis 2:1-3). The living God wanted Israel to work the other six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath dedicated to the LORD God, and everyone – men, women, Jews, aliens, servants, employees, and animals – must rest (Deuteronomy 5:13-15; see also Exodus 16:23-30; Exodus 20:9-11; Exodus 31:13-17). The living God made Sabbath for all His creation to rest (see Genesis 2:2; Exodus 23:12; Jeremiah 17:21-24; Mark 2:27-28). The Sabbath is Saturday, the seventh day of the week.

For centuries, some scholars debate whether the Sabbath applies to the church to obey. Nine of the Ten Commandments are repeated in the New Testament for the church to obey except the Sabbath day. The Sabbath day is the only one of the Ten Commandments not repeated after the day of Pentecost. However, the Sabbath day is part of God’s covenant that equally applies to all people – Jews and non-Jews (see Matthew 5:17-20). Even more, all faithful believers of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, has rest in Jesus (see Matthew 11:28-30). Today, many faithful believers of Jesus honor the Sabbath on Sunday, the first day of the week (e.g., see Acts 20:7; Hebrews 10:25). Sunday is called the “Lord’s Day” (see Revelation 1:10). On the first day of the week, God the Father through His Holy Spirit resurrected His Son Jesus Christ from complete death (see Mark 16:9; Luke 24:13-15; John 20:19; 1 Corinthians 16:2). Every Sunday is a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from complete death for all believers’ salvation and redemption. Whether you rest on Saturday or Sunday, the Fourth Commandment of God emphasizes the importance of devoting one day in seven to the living God in worship and service. Every day belongs to the LORD God!  

The Fifth Commandment of God moves us from our relationship to the LORD God to living out that relationship with other people, beginning in the home (Deuteronomy 5:16; see also Exodus 20:12). The LORD God commanded Israel to honor their father and mother and that honoring their parents would lead to a long and prosperous life (see also Matthew 19:19; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Galatians 6:1-4). Jesus Christ specifically judged the religious leaders for disregarding the Fifth Commandment of God to obey their many man-made rules not from His Father (see Matthew 15:3-4; Mark 7:10). As God’s Son Jesus Christ stated, the LORD God commanded everyone to love Him FIRST and also equally love our neighbors (see Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34). True religion begins at home with loving, caring, obeying, honoring, and respecting one’s father and mother (e.g., see also; Exodus 21:15, 17; Leviticus 19:3, 32; Deuteronomy 27:16; Proverbs 1:8; Proverbs 20:20; Proverbs 23:22; Proverbs 30:17; Ephesians 6:1-3; 1 Timothy 5:1-2).

In the Sixth Commandment, the LORD God commanded Israel not to murder (Deuteronomy 5:17; see also Exodus 20:13; Matthew 19:19; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Romans 13:9; James 2:11). All human life must be honored because God made all humans in His image (see Genesis 1:27; Genesis 9:6). The LORD God is the Giver of life (e.g., see Genesis 2:7; Zechariah 12:1; Acts 14:15; Acts 17:24-25). Jesus Christ also explained that hateful anger against anyone breaks this commandment, even if someone has mistreated you (see Matthew 5:21-22). Anger is the moral equivalent of murder because murder often begins with hateful anger in our hearts (Matthew 5:21-26; see also 1 John 3:14-15). The Holy Scripture speaks against taking revenge or bearing a grudge against anyone (see Leviticus 19:18; Proverbs 20:22; Romans 12:17-19; Hebrews 10:30). All sin usually starts from a wrong desire or thought within the heart (see James 1:13-15). Instead of anger, Jesus teaches that we must continually seek love, peace, and forgiveness from our hearts with all people, even our enemies (see Matthew 5:23-23; 43-48; Matthew 18:21-35; Luke 6:27-36; John 13:34-35; John 15:17; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12-13). Moreover, God differentiated accidental killing from deliberate murder. If someone accidentally killed someone, the living God provided the people of Israel three cities east of the Jordan River, where they could flee for safety (see Deuteronomy 4:41-43). However, intentional and deliberate murder required death because God made all humans in His image (see Genesis 1:27; Genesis 9:6; see Exodus 21:12-14; Leviticus 24:17).  

Also, the LORD God commanded Israel not commit adultery the Seventh Commandment (Deuteronomy 5:18; see also Exodus 20:14; Matthew 19:18; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Romans 13:9; James 2:11). The living God places a high priority on the holiness of marriage between a man and woman, and He wanted to protect the marriage covenant (e.g., see Leviticus 18:20, 22-23; Deuteronomy 22:22; Malachi 2:15; Hebrews 13:4). The LORD God hates divorce because of the destructive nature divorces cause on the family household (see Malachi 2:16). Even more, sexual sins also bring God’s judgment, destruction, and devastation on oneself (see Proverbs 6:32). The living God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral (e.g., see Leviticus 20:10-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Hebrews 13:4; Revelation 22:15). As with all sins, LORD God can graciously forgive sexual sins (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-11), but He does not promise to interfere with sin’s painful consequences (e.g., 2 Samuel 12:13-14; Proverbs 6:20-35; Galatians 6:7-8). Even more, Jesus Christ also warned that anyone who looks at another person lustfully has already committed adultery with one’s heart (see Matthew 5:27-30).  

Moreover, the living God commanded Israel not to steal from others in His Eighth Commandment (Deuteronomy 5:19; see also Exodus 20:15; Matthew 19:18; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Romans 13:9). The LORD God wanted His people not to steal, take away, or defraud one another (see also Leviticus 19:11, 13). Instead of stealing, the living God wants everyone to work, doing something useful with one’s own hands, so to share with those in need (see Ephesians 4:28).

In the Ninth Commandment, the living God commanded His people not to tell lies and falsehoods (Deuteronomy 5:20; see also Exodus 20:16; Matthew 19:18; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Romans 13:9). The LORD God places a high priority on truth and honesty (e.g., see Exodus 23:1, 7; Leviticus 19:11-13), and He forbids all forms of lying, deception, falsehood, slander, and trickery (e.g. see Deuteronomy 19:16-20; Proverbs 10:18; Proverbs 12:17; Proverbs 19:9; Proverbs 24:28; Titus 3:1-2; James 4:11; 1 Peter 2:1). In essence and action, the living God – the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit – is Truth (e.g., see Psalm 31:5; Isaiah 65:16; John 4:24; John 14:6, 17). God wants His people to also be known by truth (see Zechariah 8:16; Ephesians 4:15, 25; Colossians 3:9, 15). However, the devil and his evil cohorts are all liars, murderers, and deceivers, and there is no truth in the devil and his evil followers (e.g., see Genesis 3:4; John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 11:3). The LORD God will bring His wrath and punishment on those who practice falsehood and tell lies (e.g., see Proverbs 19:5, 9; Proverbs 21:28; also Revelation 21:8, 27; Revelation 22:15).

Finally, the living God commanded Israel not to envy, desire, or covet another person’s spouse, nor envy another person’s home, land, servants, oxen, donkeys, nor anything else another person owns (Deuteronomy 5:21; see also Exodus 20:17; Matthew 19:18; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Romans 13:9; James 2:11). Not only can such jealous and envy make us miserable, they can also lead us to other sins such as adultery and stealing. Thus, the Apostle Paul encouraged the church to be content of God’s blessings He has given us (see Philippians 4:11; 1 Timothy 6:6, 8). The living God promises to provide all our needs, and He will never leave us and never forsake us (see Hebrews 13:5). Notably, the other Commandments concerned actions, but the final Commandment deals with one’s thought life. As mentioned earlier, all sin usually starts from a wrong desire or thought (see James 1:13-15).

The question many New Testament believers of Jesus ask is whether the covenant given to Israel still applies to today. The answer is YES (see Matthew 5:17-20). As New Testament believers, Jesus taught His disciples to practice keeping God’s direct commandments and to teach them to our children (e.g., see Matthew 5:19; Matthew 15:3; Matthew 19:18-19; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20). Jesus taught that the greatest and first commandment of the Law and the Prophets is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (see Matthew 22:37-38; Mark 12:29-31; Luke 10:27-28; quoting Deuteronomy 6:4-6). Then, Jesus taught that the second greatest commandment is to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39; quoting Leviticus 19:18; see also Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:27-36; Romans 13:9). All the Old Testament –the Law and the Prophets – hang on these two great commandments from Jesus – to love God and love one another (Matthew 7:12; Matthew 22:40; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; John 15:17; see also Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14). Love does not harm to its neighbor, but good (see Romans 13:10). Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the covenant – the Ten Commandments (see Romans 13:8, 10; Colossians 3:14; James 2:8)! If you love the LORD God and love you neighbor as yourself, you are doing right and perfect (see Matthew 5:43; James 2:8).

In his New Testament letters, the Apostle Paul repeatedly taught the church to be imitators of God and live a life of full allegiance to God and love and goodness with others (e.g., see Romans 13:8-10; Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 5:1-2; Titus 2:14; quoting Leviticus 19:18). Moreover, the Apostle Paul encouraged the church to stay free of all adultery, sexual immorality, murder, lying, falsehood, theft, greed, jealousy, drunkenness, anger, covetousness, and envy because these actions are improper for God's holy people (e.g., see Romans 13:9, 13; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5, 8-9; see also Exodus 20:13-17; Deuteronomy 5:17-21). According to the Apostle Paul, no such evildoers will have any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:21; Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:6; see also Revelation 21:8, 27; Revelation 22:15).

The living God gives all believers in His Son Jesus the indwelling of His Holy Spirit to obey His commandments (John 3:3-8; see also Joel 2:28). Through faith in Jesus, God now writes His covenant on our hearts – this is the new covenant (see Jeremiah 31:31-34; Jeremiah 32:37-41; Ezekiel 11:19-21; Ezekiel 36:24-27; Hebrews 8:8-12; Hebrews 10:16). In other words, the God’s transforming Spirit gives believers new hearts to obey God and His good Law through our faith in His Son Christ Jesus (e.g., see Acts 1:4-5; Acts 11:16; Romans 1:16-17; Romans 3:30-31; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Philippians 2:12-13). Under God’s new covenant, God’s covenant is now engraved inwardly onto believers’ hearts and minds, and it is no longer on stone tablets (2 Corinthians 3:3-4; e.g., see also Jeremiah 31:33; 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). Now doing God’s will is something believers genuinely desire with all our heart and mind (see Romans 8:1-17; 2 Corinthians 4:4-6; Galatians 5:22-26; Philippians 2:12-13). Through faith in God’s Son Jesus, believers are born again into God’s family and receive God’s divine nature within which enabled believers by the Spirit to obey God’s commandments and live godly lives (see 1 John 3:1-9).

The living LORD God spoke His Ten Commandments from the heart of the fire, surrounded by the clouds and thick darkness that engulfed Mount Sinai (see Deuteronomy 5:22-24, 26). These Ten Commandments were directly and personally spoken and written by the living God on two stone tablets and then given them to Moses to give to the people to obey continually from their whole hearts (Deuteronomy 5:22, 28-29, 32-33; see also Exodus 32:15-16). On Mount Sinai, the living God revealed His glory and greatness to Israel when giving His Ten Commandments (see Deuteronomy 5:24). Obedience to God’s Ten Commandments would lead to a long and prosperous life and God’s blessings (see Deuteronomy 5:32-33). The Ten Commandments were God's standards for right living. The rest of the Old Testament and into the New Testament reveals the tragic consequences and punishment that occurred because of violating God’s Ten Commandments.

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 Law 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).

However, the sacrificial system of the Old Testament based on the forgiveness of sins through the shedding of blood has been fulfilled in Jesus’ sacrificial death on Calvary’s Cross (see Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22). Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death became our final and perfect sacrifice for human sins through faith in Him — past, present, and future (see Romans 3:24-26; Hebrews 10:1-10; Hebrews 13:11-12; 1 John 2:1-2).

In Romans 10:4, the Apostle Paul states, “Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4, NIV). This statement is simply but ambiguous. How is Jesus Christ the end of the Law? The Greek word for end is “telos”.

So some scholars argue that Apostle Paul means that in Jesus Christ we see the perfect fulfillment of the Law because Jesus Christ lived up to the purpose and goal of the Law perfectly (see Matthew 5:17). In this respect, this interpretation would mean that the Law was aimed at bringing us to Jesus Christ and that He came to fulfill the Law and thus gives the Law validity. At Matthew 5:17, Jesus Christ said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17, NIV). Yet other scholars argue that while the Jews tried to earn their righteous by keeping the Law they failed; Jesus Christ obeyed the Law completely by the Spirit and the letter. Therefore, Jesus Christ is the end of the Law in the sense He has fulfilled the Law and the Law is powerless to save.  On the other hand, some scholars argue that Jesus Christ brought an end to the Law because Jesus Christ’s advent or arrival brought the Law to humans and the Law has no more validity after Jesus Christ arrived. Yet, this interpretation is not likely because the Apostle Paul continued to follow the Law of God even after his Damascus Road experience with the risen Christ. So, it is highly unlikely that the Apostle Paul interpreted Romans 10:4 that the Law was shut down after Jesus Christ’s arrival to earth in human form.

The Greek word “telos” can mean either (1) “termination,” “cessation,” or (2) “goal,” culmination,” “fulfillment.” Most scholars believe that Jesus Christ is the goal, culmination, and fulfillment of the Law. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Law (see Matthew 5:17) in the sense that He brought the Law to completion by obeying perfectly the Laws’ demands and by fulfilling the Laws’ types and prophecies.  Even more, Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law in the sense that He gave the Law its full meaning. Jesus Christ emphasized the Spirit of the Law and not the mere external acknowledgment and obedience. 

Based upon the entire teaching of the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul probably means that with the coming of Jesus Christ, people do not have to make oneself righteous with by the Law (see Romans 6:14; Romans 7:4, 6; Ephesians 2:15). With the coming (advent) of Jesus Christ, the Law no longer justifies or declares one righteous before God because the saving work of Jesus Christ has brought to a close any attempt to attain righteousness by way of the Law. The Apostle Paul probably did not mean at Romans 10:4 that Jesus Christ’s arrival abolished or shut down the Law (e.g., see Romans 7:7).

Throughout the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul states that he is establishing the Law and that the Law has value for all people (e.g., see Romans 5:20-21; Romans 8:3-4; Romans 13:9-10; see also Galatians 3:24-29; 1 Timothy 1:8). The Law reveals the mind of God and the intentions of God. Besides, the Apostle Paul never preached in the book of Romans that there is no validity to the Law. Instead, the Apostle Paul reveals that justification or righteous comes to EVERYONE WHO BELIEVE in Jesus Christ and this statement of Apostle Paul is repeated throughout Romans (e.g., see Romans 1:16-17; Romans 3:21-4:25).

According to the Apostle Paul, faith in God’s saving activity in Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection obtains righteousness. The kind of righteousness God requires is wholeheartedly seeking Him as the true and living God (Romans 10:13; see also Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21). Sadly, some Jews had established many rituals, customs, and traditions in addition to God’s Law to try to make themselves righteous in God's sight. But, human work such a trying to obey the Law, no matter how sincere, can never be a substitute for the righteousness God freely gives to EVERYONE by faith. Through the power of the Holy Spirit living within a believer’s life, the righteousness of the Law is fulfilled (Romans 8:4). According to Apostle Paul, through our faith in Jesus Christ God sends true believers His Holy Spirit (Galatians 3:2, 5). The moment one believes from the heart that Jesus is the Messiah (Christ); one also receives the Holy Spirit. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the unmistakable evidence of salvation (see Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 3:16; I Corinthians 6:19–20). God’s Holy Spirit gives believers the power and strength to live and obey God (see Romans 1:16-17).

References

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

KJV Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1994).

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

Life Essentials Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2011).

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

Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995).

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

Morris, Leon. The Epistle to the Romans. Grand Rapids, Eerdmans Pub., 2012.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1989.

Loyd, Melton, Ph.D., Senior Professor of the New Testament (Due West, SC: Erskine Theological Seminary, 2016).

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

Always Obey God!

Moses:  ⁵ “Look, I now teach you these decrees and regulations just as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy. ⁶ Obey them completely, and you will display your wisdom and intelligence among the surrounding nations. When they hear all these decrees, they will exclaim, ‘How wise and prudent are the people of this great nation!’ ⁷ For what great nation has a god as near to them as the LORD our God is near to us whenever we call on Him? ⁸ And what great nation has decrees and regulations as righteous and fair as this body of instructions that I am giving you today? . . . ³⁹ So remember this and keep it firmly in mind: The LORD is God both in heaven and on earth, and there is no other. ⁴⁰ If you obey all the decrees and commands I am giving you today, all will be well with you and your children. I am giving you these instructions so you will enjoy a long life in the land the LORD your God is giving you for all time.” Deuteronomy 4:5-8, 39-40 (NLT)

In Deuteronomy chapter 4, Moses continues his history lesson he began to teach a new generation of Israelites in chapters 1 through 3. Moses was God's prophet and Israel’s greatest leader (see Deuteronomy 34:10-12). Sadly, the first generation of Israelites leaving Egyptian slavery rebelled and repeatedly sinned against the living God (e.g., see Exodus 32:1-35; Numbers 14:9-12; Numbers 25:1-9; Deuteronomy 1:28; Deuteronomy 9:23-24; Deuteronomy 32:8-14; Acts 7:49-43). Because of their disobedience and rebellion, the first generation of Israelites wandered the wilderness desert for 40 years and eventually died in the wilderness (see Numbers 14:21-23, 28-30; Deuteronomy 1:35-38; Deuteronomy 32:13; Joshua 5:6). Now, a new generation of Israelites listened to Moses’ farewell address as they prepared to enter God’s Promised Land (Deuteronomy 1:1-3, 5, 39-40).

Moses began Deuteronomy 4 by instructing Israel to listen and carefully obey all the living God’s laws (see Deuteronomy 4:1, 5). God’s laws given through Moses consisted of various decrees, regulations, ordinances, statutes, and commands given by the living God to His servant Moses to give to His people Israel (see Deuteronomy 4:5). The heart of God’s laws is found most famously in the Ten Commandments (see Deuteronomy 5:6-21), and most succinctly in the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). All other laws of God are interpretations and applications of these primary principles. Jesus Christ our Savior also urged His disciples to keep the Ten Commandments and the demands of the Shema (see Matthew 5:17-20; Matthew 22:37-40) — not to have eternal life but as an expression of commitment and faithfulness to His Father, the living LORD God (see John 14:15, 20-21, 23; John 15:9-10; 1 John 2:3-5; 2 John 1:6).

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 – worship 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. Obedience to God’s laws leads to life and possession of God’s good promises (e.g., see Deuteronomy 4:1, 4; Deuteronomy 5:32-33; Deuteronomy 6:24-25; Deuteronomy 8:1; Joshua 1:7-9).

God’s laws and commandments were not burdensome (see Matthew 11:30; 1 John 5:3). However, 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). God wrote His laws 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). However, the new covenant instituted at Jesus’ 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 has now given all believers of Jesus the Holy Spirit to help us obey His goods laws from our hearts (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). In other words, the God’s transforming Spirit gives believers new hearts to obey God and His good Law through our faith in His Son Christ Jesus (e.g., see Acts 1:4-5; Acts 11:16; Romans 1:16-17; Romans 3:30-31; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Philippians 2:12-13). Under God’s new covenant, God’s same laws and statutes 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). Now doing God’s will is something believers genuinely desire with all our heart and mind (see 2 Corinthians 4:4-6).

Even more, Moses instructed Israel not to add other laws or subtract from theses laws but to obey and do these laws for they are from the living LORD God (Deuteronomy 4:2; see also Matthew 5:17-20; Deuteronomy 12:32; Revelation 22:18-19). God’s laws are righteous, good, and holy because they come from Him (Deuteronomy 4:8; see also Psalm 119:39; Romans 7:12; 2 Corinthians 3:7, 10-11; 1 Timothy 1:8). All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the people of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work for God’s glory (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Sadly, during Jesus’ years on earth, the Jewish religious leaders were guilty of taking away from God’s laws by replacing God’s laws with their own traditions and rituals that were not given by God through Moses (e.g., see Matthew 15:3-9; Mark 7:1-13). Jesus rebuked these religious leaders for adding to God’s laws (see Matthew 23:1-4).

Moreover, Moses instructed Israel that listening, keeping, and doing God’s laws would reveal Israel’s wisdom, understanding, and intelligence to the nations (see Deuteronomy 4:6-8). Moses as well as elsewhere in the Holy Scriptures repeatedly teaches the importance of doing, obeying, and keeping God’s laws (Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-6; see also Deuteronomy 5:1; Deuteronomy 6:3-4; 1 Kings 2:3; Matthew 7:21, 24-27; Luke 8:21; Romans 2:13; James 1:22-23). True wisdom is always linked to obedience to God – obeying the LORD God is the essence of wisdom (e.g., see Deuteronomy 4:6; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 19:7; Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 28:7; 2 Timothy 3:15). In listening and doing God’s laws, the people of Israel would not only receive God’s promises and blessings but they would also model God’s wise and righteous Kingdom on earth to the world (see Deuteronomy 4:6-8). True wisdom is the fear and honor of the living God and turning away from evil (e.g., see Job 1:1, 8; Job 2:3; Job 28:28; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10).

Also, Moses reminded a new generation of Israelites that the living God graciously rescued and redeemed Israel from Egyptian slavery so Israel would be His special people and His own inheritance (see Deuteronomy 4:20). God’s repeated call to Israel to remember His past redemptive acts – especially how He delivered Israel from Egyptian slavery – is a common theme in Deuteronomy (e.g., see Deuteronomy 5:15; Deuteronomy 7:18; Deuteronomy 8:2; Deuteronomy 24:9, 18, 22). The living God graciously delivered and redeemed Israel from Egyptian bondage by His “strong hand and powerful arm” because He wanted a personal relationship, wholehearted love, and faithfulness from Israel (see Exodus 3:20; Exodus 6:7; Deuteronomy 4:34; Deuteronomy 5:15; Deuteronomy 6:20-22). The LORD God redeemed Israel and brought Israel out of the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt to be the people of his inheritance (see Deuteronomy 4:20). Israel was God’s firstborn son (see Exodus 4:22-23). God promised Israel that if they obeyed Him and kept His laws, Israel would be His own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth and His “kingdom of priests” and God’s “holy nation” (Exodus 19:5-6; see also Isaiah 61:6). With the coming of His Son Jesus the Messiah (Christ), the LORD God has extended His kingdom to all believers in Jesus – Jews and Gentiles (see 1 Peter 2:5, 9-10). All faithful believers in Jesus have been grafted into God’s family and descendants of Abraham (see John 1:12-13; Romans 4:11; Romans 8:2, 5-6, 14, 16, 21; Galatians 3:14; Galatians 4:6-7). Furthermore, all faithful and obedient believers in Jesus are “royal priests,” “a holy nation,” and “God’s very own possession” (1 Peter 2:5, 9; see also Romans 12:1-2; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10).

No other nation, great or small, had a God that lived among them and willingly helped them when they called (see Deuteronomy 4:8). The living God is close and hears the prayers of those who faithfully obey Him (Deuteronomy 4:7; see also Psalm 34:15-16; Proverbs 15:8; Proverbs 28:9; Proverbs 15:29; John 9:31; James 4:8; James 5:16-18). So, Moses instructed Israel to make sure they diligently stayed alert and not let their hearts be led away into sin and disobedience against the living God and His covenant (Deuteronomy 4:9, 23; see also Proverbs 4:23; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; 1 Peter 5:8).

Furthermore, Moses warned Israel not to forget God’s miraculous signs, powers, and wonders the living God did on behalf of Israel against the Egyptians (see Deuteronomy 4:9). The living God graciously rescued and redeemed His people Israel from Egyptian slavery by sending terrible plagues, mighty miracles, war, and terror against the Egyptians, right before Israel’s very eyes (see Deuteronomy 4:32). The LORD God was Israel’s Redeemer and Divine Warrior that fought for and protected Israel (e.g., see Deuteronomy 1:30-31; Deuteronomy 6:21-23; Deuteronomy 7:1-2, 20-24; Deuteronomy 8:14-16; Deuteronomy 11:2-7; Deuteronomy 26:6-9; Deuteronomy 31:4).

The living and gracious God promised Israel that if Israel would turn from their sins and diligently seek Him with all their heart and soul, Israel would find Him (see Deuteronomy 4:29-30).  The living God graciously rescued and redeemed Israel from Egyptian slavery by His great power, glory, signs, miracles, and wonders, and then Israel heard the voice of God speaking from the fire at Mount Sinai (see Deuteronomy 4:20, 33-34, 36-37). The LORD God revealed His power and glory to Israel so that Israel would always know He is the only true and living God of heaven and earth (see Deuteronomy 4:35, 39). The God of Israel is the Great King, Redeemer, and Creator (see Deuteronomy 4:32; Deuteronomy 5:6, 15; Deuteronomy 6:12, 21-23; Deuteronomy 9:26, 29). Because of God’s gracious redemption, Moses instructed Israel to faithfully love and worship God and obey His righteous commands (see Deuteronomy 4:39-40). There is only one God, the Father of Jesus Christ (Deuteronomy 4:39; see also 1 Corinthians 8:4-6). Love and obedience to the living God would bring Israel and their children God’s blessings, and all will go well with Israel and their children (see Deuteronomy 4:40). Obedience to God brings life (see James 1:12).

Even more, Moses instructed Israel to tell their children and children’s children about God’s glorious miracles, signs, and powers He did in saving Israel (see Deuteronomy 4:9). Israel was to tell their children and grandchildren about the day they stood before the living LORD God at Mount Horeb, also called Mount Sinai (Deuteronomy 4:10; see also Exodus 19:9, 16). Mount Sinai is the mountain of God (see Exodus 3:1). At Mount Sinai, the living God called Israel before Him, and He proclaimed to Israel His righteous laws so that Israel would always fear and honor Him (Deuteronomy 4:10; see also Exodus 20:20). Also, the living God commanded Israel to teach His righteous laws to their children and children’s children (Deuteronomy 4:9-10; see also Deuteronomy 6:7; Deuteronomy 11:19; 2 Timothy 2:2).

Moreover, Moses reminded this new generation of Israelites that their fathers stood at the foot of Mount Sinai and visibly witnessed the awesome and glorious Presence of the living God (Deuteronomy 4:11; see also Exodus 19:17-18; Exodus 20:18. 21; Exodus 24:16-17). At Mount Sinai, the living God appeared to Israel with fire, flames, black clouds, and deep darkness (Deuteronomy 4:11; see also Exodus 19:9, 11, 18, 20; Exodus 20:21; Exodus 24:15-16; Matthew 17:5). Biblical scholars called the living God’s appearance on Mount Sinai a Theophany (see also Exodus 3:2; Exodus 13:21). Also, the LORD God spoke to Israel from the fire, and Israel heard God’s Words but did not see God’s form (Deuteronomy 4:12; see also Exodus 20:1, 22). From Mount Sinai, the living God proclaimed His covenant to Israel through His servant Moses that Israel must obey, which included the Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 4:13; see also Exodus 20:1-Exodus 23:19). God’s finger personally wrote the Ten Commandments on two stone tablets, which is the essence of God’s covenant with Israel (Deuteronomy 4:13; see also Exodus 31:18; Deuteronomy 9:10).

Importantly, Moses warned a new generation of Israelites that they must NEVER worship or seek other idols or gods (Deuteronomy 4:23; see also Exodus 20:1-7; Deuteronomy 5:9). Moses reminded a new generation of Israelites that their fathers did not see any form of God on Mount Sinai as He spoke to Israel from the fire (see Deuteronomy 4:12, 15, 33). Thus, Moses warned Israel not to sin against the living God by making any statue, idol, or image of the living God — whether of a man, woman, animal, beast, or bird (Deuteronomy 4:16-18; see also Exodus 20:3-5). No image could capture the transcendent glory and power of the invisible and living LORD God (see also John 4:24; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17). Idols and images would lead Israel to worship the creature rather than the Creator (see Romans 1:23-25). Moreover, Moses warned Israel not to look up into the sky and sin against the living God by worshipping the sun, the moon, or stars (see Deuteronomy 4:19). The sun, moon, and stars were not objects of worship but only creations from the living God (see Genesis 1:14-19).

Moses warned the people that the living LORD God is a devouring fire and a jealous God (Deuteronomy 4:24; see also Hebrews 12:29). The LORD God commanded Israel and Jesus later commanded the church to worship His Father, the living God first and exclusively (see Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Matthew 22:7; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27). The LORD God of Israel alone is God, and all else is His creation (see Deuteronomy 3:35, 39; Acts 17:22-29; Romans 1:25). Worshipping other idols and other gods anger and sin against the living God (see Deuteronomy 4:25). Even worse, Moses instructed Israel that worshipping idols and other gods will lead to Israel’s destruction and banishment from His good promises (see Deuteronomy 4:3, 26). God promised to banish Israel from His land and scatter Israel among the nations if they worshipped and served other gods and idols (see Deuteronomy 4:26-28).

Sadly, Moses predictions in Deuteronomy 4 came true, and God banished Israel from His God’s Promised Land because of Israel’s repeated wickedness and worship of others gods. During the closing years of King Solomon’s reign, Solomon introduced idolatry into Israel (see 1 Kings 11). In 722 BC, the Assyrians captured and destroyed the ten tribes that formed the Northern Kingdom of Samaria, and Babylon destroyed and exiled the Southern Kingdom of Judah in 586 BC. Even worse, Israel’s rejection of God’s Son Jesus Christ led to Israel dispersion and Jerusalem’s Temple destruction in AD 70. From AD 70 until May 14, 1948, when the modern nation of Israel was recognized, the Jewish people were dispersed throughout the world and had no national homeland. However, God will fully restore Israel at the second coming of Jesus Christ!

Finally, Moses reminded the people that the LORD God is merciful, and He will never abandon or forget anyone who turns from their sins and seek Him with their whole hearts (see Deuteronomy 4:29-31). The living LORD God is gracious (Deuteronomy 5:10; Deuteronomy 7:9, 12), loving (Deuteronomy 1:31; Deuteronomy 7:7-8, 13), righteous and fair (Deuteronomy 4:8; Deuteronomy 10:17-18; Deuteronomy 32:4), merciful (Deuteronomy 4:31; Deuteronomy 13:17), all-powerful (Deuteronomy 4:34, 37; Deuteronomy 6:21-22), holy (Deuteronomy 5:11), glorious (Deuteronomy 5:24-26), and always faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9, 12). As the only God of heaven and earth, the true and living God deserves our wholehearted love, worship, and honor (see Deuteronomy 4:24; Deuteronomy 13:2-10; Deuteronomy 29:20). Even more, the LORD God is the Lawgiver (see Deuteronomy 4:2, 8, 10, 14, 40), Warrior (see Deuteronomy 1:4, 30, 42; Deuteronomy 2:15, 21-22; Deuteronomy 7:1-2, 22-24), and final Judge of and Rewarder for evil (see Deuteronomy 1:17; Deuteronomy 4:27; Deuteronomy 8:19-20; Deuteronomy 9:19-20, 25-26). You can always place your trust in the living God!

References

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).

Merrill, Eugene H. New American Commentary: Deuteronomy (Nashville, TN: B and H Publishing Group, 1994).

Mounce, Robert H. The Book of Revelation (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1998).

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

Deuteronomy’s History Review

²¹ “At that time I (Moses) gave Joshua this charge: ‘You have seen for yourself everything the LORD your God has done to these two kings (Og and Sihon). He will do the same to all the kingdoms on the west side of the Jordan (Canaan, the Promised Land). ²² Do not be afraid of the nations there, for the LORD your God will fight for you.’ ²³ At that time I pleaded with the LORD and said, ²⁴ ‘O Sovereign LORD, You have only begun to show Your greatness and the strength of Your hand to me, Your servant. Is there any god in heaven or on earth who can perform such great and mighty deeds as You do? . . . ²⁸ Commission Joshua and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead the people across the Jordan. He will give them all the land you now see before you as their possession.’” Deuteronomy 3:21-24, 28

In the opening chapters of Deuteronomy, Moses gives a new generation of Israelites a history lesson (see Deuteronomy 1:1-4:43). Moses addressed a new generation of Israelites encamped at Kadesh-barnea, the border of the Promised Land (see Deuteronomy 1:1-3). Kadesh-barnea was the gateway into God’s Promised Land. The ancient Israelites’ trip from Mount Sinai, where they received the Law of God, to the Promised Land would have taken only 11 days (see Deuteronomy 1:3). However, the first generation of Israelites spent 40 years wandering the wilderness on a journey that should have lasted 11 days. Sadly, the first generation of Israelites repeatedly rejected God’s love, rebelled against His authority, and ignored His commands for right living (e.g., see Deuteronomy 9:23-24; Psalm 106:24-27). During the 40-year wilderness wandering, the living God punished the first generation because of their unbelief, disobedience, and rebellion.

Deuteronomy gives Moses’ farewell address to a new generation of Israelites on the border of God’s Promised Land. Moses encouraged this new generation of Israelites to faithfully trust and obey God as their only King and true Leader to live successfully in their new land for God’s glory. To help prepare a new generation of Israelites, Moses reviewed Israel’s past, so this new generation will avoid repeating the sins of their unfaithful fathers (see Deuteronomy 1:1-4:43). In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul also reminded the church of Israel’s past so they would avoid the sins of the first generation of ancient Israelites (see Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:1-12).

At Mount Sinai forty years earlier, the LORD God announced to the Israelites leaving Egyptian slavery to go into and conquer God’s Promised Land (see Deuteronomy 1:6). Through His servant Moses, the LORD God announced to Israel that He would graciously give Israel all the land of the Jordan Valley, the hill country, the western foothills, the Negev, and the coastal plain, including the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon all the way to the great Euphrates River (Deuteronomy 1:7-8; see also Joshua 1:4). From the very beginning, the LORD God promised Israel’s ancestors the patriarchs — Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all of their descendants this good land — the entire area from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea to the Euphrates River (Deuteronomy 1:8; see also Genesis 13:14-15; Genesis 15:18-21; Genesis 17:7-8; Genesis 26:2-5; Genesis 28:12-15; Genesis 50:24; Deuteronomy 30:19-20).

While in Egyptian slavery, the LORD God had graciously multiplied Israel’s population as many as the stars in the sky as He promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deuteronomy 1:9-10). The living God had previously promised His servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob a multiplication blessing of their descendants (see Genesis 12:2-3; Genesis 15:5-6; Genesis 22:17-18; Genesis 26:2-5; Genesis 28:12-15). Israel’s forefathers went down into Egypt with only seventy people in all, and the LORD God had increased Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky (see Genesis 46:26-27; Exodus 1:1-5; Deuteronomy 10:22; Acts 7:14). There is NOTHING too hard for the living God (see Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17, 27; Matthew 19:26; Mark 9:23). Now, Moses blessed a new generation of Israelites that the living God would continue to multiply Israel a thousand times more and bless Israel as He promised (see Deuteronomy 1:11).

To help manage Israel, God requested Moses to appoint wise, experienced, and understanding leaders to help him manage and resolve Israel’s disputes and problems (Deuteronomy 1:12-15; see also Exodus 18:13-27). In God’s eyes, good leaders are wise, understanding, and well respected (see Deuteronomy 1:13, 15). The living God wanted appointed leaders to judge the people justly, fairly, and equally, whether native Israelites, foreigners, rich, poor, great, or small, because they were judging in place of God (Deuteronomy 1:16-17; see also Exodus 18:13-27; Numbers 11:16-17). If Israel’s leaders made their decisions on the basis of nationality, race, social position, crowd opinion, or wealth, they would sin against God and pervert God’s justice and fairness especially to the poor, widows, orphans, and aliens in the land (see Exodus 22:21-24; Exodus 23:2-3; Leviticus 19:9-10, 15; Deuteronomy 10:17-19; Deuteronomy 14:28-29; Deuteronomy 16:9-12; Deuteronomy 24:17-21). The LORD God shows no partiality, and He defends the cause of the fatherless, the widow, the poor, and the alien (see Deuteronomy 10:17-19).

Then, Israel left Mount Sinai and traveled through the great and terrifying wilderness and arrived at Kadesh-barnea, on the border of God’s Promised Land (see Deuteronomy 1:2, 19-20). Upon arriving on the border of the Promised Land, Moses instructed the Israelites to go and possess the Promised Land and not to be afraid or doubtful (see Deuteronomy 1:21). Moses knew their LORD God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, and His living Presence was going ahead to protect and care for Israel (see Numbers 14:8-9; Deuteronomy 4:31; Deuteronomy 31:8). However, the Israelites requested that first spies be sent into the Promised Land to scout the best route of entry, and to decide which cities to capture first (Deuteronomy 1:22; see also Numbers 13:1-3). Israel selected twelve spies, one from each tribe, and the twelve spies entered and inspected God’s Promised Land (Deuteronomy 1:23-24; see also Numbers 13:4-16, 22-27). Joshua and Caleb were part of this group of twelve spies (see Numbers 13:6, 16; Numbers 14:6-7).

When the twelve spies returned, they returned with samples of the local fruit as proof the land was good that the LORD God had given Israel – a land flowing with milk and honey (Deuteronomy 1:25; see also Exodus 3:8, 17; Exodus 33:3; Numbers 13:26-27; Numbers 14:7). Nevertheless, ten of the spies discouraged and placed fear in the Israelites’ hearts regarding powerful giants and large cities (Deuteronomy 1:26; see also Numbers 13:28-33). Because of the ten spies’ fearful and bad report, the first generation of Israelites refused to go into God’s Promised Land and rebelled against God’s command to enter and possess His land (Deuteronomy 1:28; see also Number Numbers 14:9). Even worse, the Israelites began to grumble and complain against the living God and His good Promised Land (Deuteronomy 1:27; see also Numbers 14:1-4). The living LORD God promised a good land to Israel (see Genesis 13:14-18; Genesis 15:7-21; Genesis 17:8; Genesis 28:12-15; Exodus 3:8). All Israel had to do was follow God’s orders, and He would give them victory over their enemies. Moses, along with Joshua and Caleb, repeatedly encouraged Israel to faithfully trust in the LORD God Almighty and not to be afraid (Deuteronomy 1:21, 29-31, 33; see also Exodus 14:14; Numbers 14:5-9; Proverbs 3:5-6). Israel’s all-powerful God would protect, care, and fight for them, just as Israel saw God defeat the Egyptians with His miraculous signs, power, and wonders (see also Exodus 14:14; Deuteronomy 1:32-33; see also Numbers 14:10-11; Deuteronomy 4:34; Deuteronomy 29:2-3; Psalm 78:11, 42). Despite the numerous proofs of God’s power and glory on their behalf, the first generation of Israelites refused to obey and trust in the living God. However, the first generation of ancient Israelites walked by sight and not by faith in God’s promises and let their anxieties paralyze them (sees 2 Corinthians 5:7). At the very border of God’s good Promised Land, the first generation of Israelites cowered at the spies’ report, lost faith in God, and toward away from God’s promises.

The Israelites refused to trust and believe in God despite Moses’ continual encouragement to courageously trust and obey the living God (Deuteronomy 1:32-33; see also Numbers 14:9-11; Psalm 78:11, 42). Even more, the all-knowing living God heard the Israelites’ complaining and became very angry (Deuteronomy 1:34; see also Numbers 14:10-12). Moses interceded for Israel to prevent God’s immediate wrath against the first generation of unfaithful Israelites (see Numbers 14:13-16). Because of Moses’ intercession, the living God forgave Israel’s sins (see Numbers 14:19-20; James 5:16). Truly, the living God is patient, forgiving and full of compassion and mercy (see Exodus 34:6-7; Numbers 14:17-18; Psalm 145:8-9; James 5:11). The living God does not stay angry forever but delights to show His mercy and compassion (see Micah 7:18).

Nevertheless, the LORD God does not excuse the guilty and leave the guilty unpunished (see Numbers 14:18). The living God promised that not one person in that entire wicked generation over the age of 20 who witnessed God’s glory against the Egyptians would live to see and enter His good Promised Land He had promised to their fathers – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deuteronomy 1:35-38; see also Numbers 14:21-23, 28-30; Deuteronomy 32:13; Joshua 5:6). Instead, the living God promised to give His good land to Israel’s children, and that first generation of faithless and rebellious Israelites died in the wilderness desert (Deuteronomy 1:39-40; see also Numbers 14:26-35). In the face of such rebellion, the living God decided to wait for a whole new generation of obedient Israelites to enter His Promised Land. The living God wants obedience to Him (see Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 6:3; 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Jeremiah 7:23). Of the entire first generation of Israelites leaving Egyptian slavery over age 20, God would only allow Caleb and Joshua to see His good Promised Land (Deuteronomy 1:35-38). Only Joshua and Caleb followed the LORD courageously and completely (Deuteronomy 1:36, 38; see also Numbers 14:24, 30).

The first generation of Israelites wandered in the wilderness toward the Red Sea, and for many years Israel traveled around the hill country of Seir (see Deuteronomy 1:40; Deuteronomy 2:1). During the 40-year wilderness wandering, the gracious living God continued to watch over Israel and bless their every step and Israel lacked nothing in all that time (Deuteronomy 2:7; Deuteronomy 8:2-4; see also Amos 2:10; Acts 13:16-18). Because of the living God’s great compassion and mercy, He did not abandon Israel during their 40 years wandering in the desert (see Deuteronomy 29:5-6). By day, God’s pillar of cloud never ceased to guide Israel on their path and by night the pillar of fire never ceased to shine on the Israelites’ path (see Exodus 13:21-22; Nehemiah 9:12, 19). The living God gave Israel a good Spirit (see Nehemiah 9:20; Isaiah 63:11-14; Haggai 2:5). Moreover, the living God did not withhold His manna (heavenly bread) from Israel’s mouths, and He gave Israel water for their thirst (see Exodus 16:15; Exodus 17:6; Nehemiah 9:15, 20; John 6:31-33; 1 Corinthians 10:3-4). For 40 years, the LORD God sustained Israel in the desert, and they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen (see Nehemiah 9:21).

Next, the Israelites traveled through the Edom country belonging to their brothers the Edomites (see Deuteronomy 2:4-5, 8, 29). The Edomites were descendants of Esau and therefore thee Israelites’ brothers (see Deuteronomy 2:4, 8; Deuteronomy 23:7). Esau was Jacob’s older twin brother and therefore related to Israel (see Genesis 25:24-26; Genesis 36:8-9). The LORD God had given the descendants of Esau the land of Seir, a mountainous region south of the Dead Sea (Deuteronomy 2:5, 12, 22; see also Genesis 36:1-3, 6-9; Joshua 24:4). God informed Israel not to bother or take the Edomites’ land He had graciously given Esau’s descendants (see Deuteronomy 2:5).

Then, Israel traveled through the Moabites and Ammonites’ lands, who were also relatives of Israel and descendants of Lot (Deuteronomy 2:9, 18, 29; see also Genesis 19:31-38). Lot was Abraham’s nephew (see Genesis 11:27-32). God had previously driven out the people of the land, even giants, to give to the Moabites and Ammonites their land (see Deuteronomy 2:9-12, 18-23).

After 38 years had passed, the living God instructed a new generation of Israelites to now take possession of their Promised Land (see Deuteronomy 2:14-16, 24). By then, all the first generation of Israelites old enough to fight in battle had died in the wilderness, as the LORD God had promised would happen (Deuteronomy 2:14-16; see also Numbers 14:33-34). Only Moses, Caleb, and Joshua remained lived from the first generation of fighting men leaving Egyptian slavery (see Deuteronomy 2:13-16). As with the descendants of Esau and descendants Lot, the living God promised to go before and be with Israel and defeat their enemies (see Deuteronomy 2:25, 31-33, 36). In fact, the LORD God told Moses He would make the enemy nations afraid of Israel (see Deuteronomy 2:25). If God is with you, who can stand against you (e.g., see Numbers 14:9; 2 Kings 6:16; Psalm 118:6; Romans 8:31; 1 John 4:4). The living God goes before His faithful and obedient people to fight their battles and bring them victory (e.g., see Psalm 56:9; Isaiah 41:10; Jeremiah 20:10-12; Hebrews 13:6)!

Indeed, the LORD God would fight for Israel and conquer the lands of the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites and give to His people Israel in victory (Deuteronomy 2:24-36; Deuteronomy 3:1-2, 4-12, 21-22; see also Genesis 15:13-16; Numbers 21:21-32; Deuteronomy 7:1-2). Through His servant Moses, God told Israel not to be fearful and afraid because His mighty hand and outstretched strong arm would guide and lead His people victoriously into the Promised Land (see Deuteronomy 3:2-3). The living God defeated King Sihon and gave King Sihon’s land to Israel (see Deuteronomy 2:31-35). Also, the LORD God helped Israel to conquer Aroer on the edge of the Arnon Gorge, and the town in the gorge, and the whole area as far as Gilead (see Deuteronomy 2:36). No town had walls too strong for Israel (see Deuteronomy 2:36; Deuteronomy 3:5). The fact that Sigon and Og cities had high walls and giants did not create any fear in the new generation of Israelites unlike that the older generation (Deuteronomy 3:5, 11; see also Numbers 13:28-29). God is bigger than the walls and greater than any giants! As with King Sihon, the living God defeated King Og and gave King Og’s land to Israel (see Deuteronomy 3:1-7). Thus, the LORD God defeated King Sihon and King Og and took possession of their lands east of the Jordan to give to Israel (see Deuteronomy 3:8-11). The land previously owned by King Sihon and King Og east of the Jordan, Moses gave the land to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh, Joseph’s son (see Deuteronomy 3:12-13). The new generation of Israelites was quickly discovering that the living God could be trusted to overcome every enemy. All Israel had to do was obey God’s orders, trust His promises, and courageously confront the enemy.   

Then, the sovereign God informed Moses to appoint Joshua as his replacement to lead the new generation of Israelites into the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 3: 21-22, 28; see also Numbers 27:18-23; Deuteronomy 1:38; Deuteronomy 31:14-15, 23; Deuteronomy 34:9). Moses informed his assistant Joshua that he would lead Israel into God’s Promised Land (see Deuteronomy 3:21-22). Most important, Moses instructed Joshua not to be afraid and discouraged but be strong and courageous because the living God will fight and protect him and Israel (Deuteronomy 3:21-22; see also Exodus 14:14; Deuteronomy 1:29; Deuteronomy 31:6-8. The living God protects and fights for His faithful and obedient people, and He will never leave you nor forsake you (e.g., see Deuteronomy 7:18; Deuteronomy 20:1; Deuteronomy 31:6; 2 Chronicles 32:6-8; Psalm 23:4; Isaiah 41:10-14). Joshua had seen what the LORD God had done to those two kings east of the Jordan, Og and Sihon (see Deuteronomy 3:21; Deuteronomy 31:4). So, Moses informed Joshua to be strong and courageous and not be afraid for the living God would also fight for him and lead Israel into the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 3:21-22; see also Deuteronomy 31:1-8; Joshua 1:6-9; Acts 13:19).

Joshua was a man of great faith in the living God and fully qualified to lead God’s people (e.g., see Numbers 13:8, Numbers 14:5-9, 28-30, 36-38). Also, Joshua was a great military leader and political leader, but importantly a man filled with God’s Spirit (see Numbers 27:18). Joshua had served faithfully as Moses’ servant (see Exodus 33:11), a leader in Israel’s army against the Amalekites (see Exodus 17:8-16), and he had been on Mount Sinai with Moses when Moses received the Law of God (see Exodus 24:13; Exodus 32:15-17). At Kadesh-Barnea, Joshua proved his faith and obedience by standing with Moses and Caleb against the ten spies and the whole unbelieving first generation of Israelites (see Numbers 14:6-9). The name “Jesus” is from the Greek and Latin for the Hebrew name Jeshua (Joshua), which mean “the Lord is salvation” (see also Matthew 1:21).  

Next, Moses pleaded with the living God to allow him to enter into the good Promised Land and see the result of God’s greatness and power (Deuteronomy 3:23-25; see also Deuteronomy 1:37). However, the LORD God refused Moses’ requests to enter into the Promised Land because of Moses’ prior impulsive sin of striking the rock instead of speaking to the rock as God commanded (Deuteronomy 3:26; see also Numbers 20:6-12; Numbers 27:12-14; Deuteronomy 31:2; Deuteronomy 32:48-52). However, our gracious God did allow Moses to visibly see the land (Deuteronomy 3:27; see also Deuteronomy 34:4). When God’s Son Jesus came to earth, Jesus spoke with Moses along with the prophet Elijah in the Promised Land (see Matthew 17:3-4, Mark 9:4-5; Luke 9:30). Many scholars believe Moses was one of the great witnesses that will come again at Jesus Christ’s second coming (see Revelation 11:1-13).

References

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

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

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

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

Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995).

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

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