Exclusively Worship God

Moses: ⁴ “Do not worship the LORD your God in the way these pagan peoples worship their gods. ⁵ Rather, you must seek the LORD your God at the place of worship He Himself will choose from among all the tribes — the place where His Name (Presence) will be honored. . . . ³⁰ do not fall into the trap of following their customs and worshiping their gods. Do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations worship their gods? I want to follow their example.’ ³¹ You must not worship the LORD your God the way the other nations worship their gods, for they perform for their gods every detestable act that the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters as sacrifices to their gods.” Deuteronomy 12:4-5, 30-31 (NLT)

¹ “Suppose there are prophets among you or those who dream dreams about the future, and they promise you signs or miracles, ² and the predicted signs or miracles occur. If they then say, ‘Come, let us worship (serve) other gods’ — gods you have not known before — ³ do not listen to them. The LORD your God is testing you to see if you truly love Him with all your heart and soul. ⁴ Serve only the LORD your God and fear Him alone. Obey His commands, listen to His voice, and cling to Him.” Deuteronomy 13:1-4 (NLT)

⁹ “When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate (follow) the detestable customs of the nations living there. ¹⁰ For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, ¹¹ or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. ¹² Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD. It is because the other nations have done these detestable things that the LORD your God will drive them out ahead of you. ¹³ But you must be blameless before the LORD your God. ¹⁴ The nations you are about to displace consult sorcerers and fortune-tellers, but the LORD your God forbids you to do such things.” Deuteronomy 18:9-14 (NLT)

Every few years a person will create some title or designation to bring fame and popularity to him or herself or some object and draw people away from the living God. Such idol worship has existed since biblical times. However, Moses warned Israel and now the church that all humankind must always worship the true and living God first and exclusively.

Deuteronomy chapter 12 starts a new section in the book of Deuteronomy. Here, Moses provides Israel and now the church specific applications of the covenant – the Ten Commandment (see Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13; Deuteronomy 9:9-10; Deuteronomy 10:1-4). First, Moses wanted to assure that Israel and the church will never place another god, human, nor idol before the true and living God of Israel nor follow the evil worship practices of other nations (Deuteronomy 12:1-4, 29-31; see also Deuteronomy 6:4-6). God’s first commandment is, “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3, 23; Deuteronomy 5:7; see also Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 6:14; 2 Kings 17:35; Psalm 81:9; Jeremiah 25:6; Jeremiah 35:15). Moses made it clear to Israel and now the church that we must remove and turn away from any false worship and idols in our lives such as people, activities, attitudes, possessions, greed, relationships, places, or habits that tempts us to turn our whole hearts away from the living God (Deuteronomy 13:1-5, see Exodus 23:33; Exodus 34:11-14; 1 Corinthians 10:14). Greed is idolatry (e.g. see Matthew 6:24; 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19; Colossians 3:5). The whole earth belonged to the LORD God (e.g., see Exodus 19:5; Leviticus 25:23), and the living God wanted Israel to turn away from and purge the land of evil, idolatry, and wickedness (Deuteronomy 12:2-4; see also Numbers 33:50-56; Deuteronomy 7:1-5, 23-26).

Also, God’s people were commanded not eat the blood or shed human blood, for the blood is the life, and Israel must not eat the lifeblood with the meat (Deuteronomy 12:16, 23, 25; see also Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 3:17; Acts 15:19-21). Instead, God commanded Israel to pour out the blood on the ground like water (see Deuteronomy 12:24, 27). Sadly, eating blood was an integral part of the evil practices of the land the Israelites were about to enter. Importantly, this emphasis on the blood is at the heart of the message of the Gospel. The blood is divinely earmarked for the atonement of human sins (e.g., see Leviticus 17:10-12; Acts 15:20). The living God graciously saves and cleanses us from our sins by our faith in the sacrificial death of His Son, Jesus Christ, “in whom we have redemption through his blood” (e.g., see Romans 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; 1 Peter 1:19; 1 John 1:7).

Moreover, Moses warned Israel and also the church not to corrupt themselves by following, imitating, or even examining about the evil customs of these wicked nations but worship only God according to His ways (Deuteronomy 12:4, 29-31; see also Deuteronomy 18:9-10; Jeremiah 10:2-5). The living God wanted Israel and now the church to be “wise in what is good, and innocent in what is evil” (see Romans 16:19, NASB). Sin is both deadly and destructive. Therefore, Moses encouraged Israel and now the church not give any place to evil nor to follow the evil practices of these nations (see Exodus 23:2;  Ephesians 4:27)

The religions of these evil nations were false, filthy, and detestable. These evil nations worshiped a multitude of worthless gods and goddesses, chiefly Baal, the storm god, and Asherah, his partner. Even worse, these evil nations in worshipping their gods and various idols did horrible and detestable practices that God hates, including sacrificing their sons and daughters, eating blood in worship of their false gods and idols, and using deception and trickery (Deuteronomy 12: 16, 23, 25, 27, 31; Deuteronomy 18:10; see also Leviticus 18:21; Leviticus 20:2-5; Deuteronomy 25:13-16). Moreover, these evil nations made use of temple prostitution, mutilation (cutting themselves), and other inhumane features as they sought to worship their gods. Even worse, their immoral religion practiced a form of magic and divination with which they hoped to please the gods, see guidance, and influence the powers of nature to give them bountiful crops (e.g., see Deuteronomy 18:9-14). As the people of God, Moses warned Israel and the now the church to worship the living LORD God in the ways He commands and not imitate the evil religious practices of others.

Moreover, Moses warned Israel and now the church not to follow and practice black magic, divination, witchcraft, sorcery, fortunetelling, serpent charmer, mediums and wizards, or calling forth the spirits of the dead (Deuteronomy 18:10-14; see also Leviticus 19:26, 31; Leviticus 20:6). For the church, the Apostle Paul specifically listed idolatry and witchcraft among the sins of the flesh (see Galatians 5:19-21). Moreover, the book of Revelation warns that anyone engaging in these evil practices of sorcery, witchcraft, and divination is destined for the lake of fire (see Revelation 21:8; Revelation 22:14-15). Moses warned the people that anyone doing these evil things is an object of horror and disgust to the living LORD God (see Deuteronomy 18:12). Instead, Moses encouraged Israel and now the church to always walk blamelessly before the LORD God and seek the living God for our help, needs, and guidance (Deuteronomy 18:13-14; see also Psalm 119:1). God’s people are not to resort to such sources for their guidance, information, and strength. Rather, people are to listen and obey God’s true prophets (see Deuteronomy 18:14-22; Isaiah 8:19-20); the greatest of which is Jesus the Messiah (see Acts 3:22; Acts 7:37). Divination, witchcraft, sorcery, black magic, and other such consulting evil spirits were wrong because they sought power and guidance totally apart from God (see also Isaiah 8:19-22). Furthermore, seeking such mediums, horoscopes, fortune-telling, witchcraft, or seeking out spiritists bring defilement and evil into one’s life (see Leviticus 19:31). With the trustworthy guidance of the living God by His Holy Spirit, the Holy Bible and His church, we have all the help and guidance we need.

Sadly, when Israel finally entered into God’s long-awaited Promised Land, Israel did not purge the land of evil and their false gods but instead mingled among the nations and followed their evil and detestable practices. The Israelites did not fully follow these instructions in destroying the “high places,” which were the centers of idol worship (see Deuteronomy 12:2-5). Instead, Israel served foreign gods and idols and mixed (syncretism) the worship of God with other evil practices (see Deuteronomy 12:4). which were a snare unto them (e.g., see Judges 2:1-3; Judges 3:5-6; Ezra 9:12; Psalm 106:34-36; 2 Kings 17:7-23; 2 Kings 21:1-10). Moreover, Israel worshipped foreign gods and idols on high places, erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole (e.g., see 1 Kings 12:25-32; 2 Kings 21:3). Even more, Israel bowed down to all the starry hosts (the sun, moon, and constellations) and worshiped and sought guidance from them instead of the living God of heaven and earth (e.g., see 2 Kings 21:3, 5; 2 Kings 23:4-5). Even worse, Israel sacrificed their sons and daughters to worship their gods, practiced divination, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists (e.g., see 2 Kings 17:15-17; 2 Kings 21:6). Israel did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, arousing His anger (e.g., see 2 Kings 21:6).

Hundreds of years after Moses’ instruction in Deuteronomy, a dramatic event took place under King Josiah’s reign. In the midst of temple renovation in Judah (the southern kingdom of Israel), workers came across an old scroll containing the Book of the Law (see 2 Kings 22:8-11). Discovery of the book had an electrifying effect on Judah. When godly King Josiah heard about the Book of the Law, he ushered in a sweeping spiritual revival that included a campaign against idolatry and “high places.” Many biblical scholars believe that Deuteronomy was the book that godly King Josiah discovered that stirred a dramatic revival and religious reform in Judah (see 2 Kings chapters 22 and 23; 2 Chronicles chapters 34 and 35). For all King Josiah’s reforms, it was a little too late for Israel and Judah because of evil so ingrained the people (see 2 Kings 23:26-28). In fact, soon as King Josiah’s death, the people reverted to evil and wickedness against the living God. Because of the people’s idolatry, Israel fell to Assyria in 722 BC, and Judah fell to Babylon in 606-586 BC.

Originally, Moses wanted to assure the people would only worship and glorify the living LORD God – Yahweh and enjoy Him with their families (see Deuteronomy 12:5-7). Therefore, Moses instructed the people to build the living God a place of worship (a sanctuary) where His Name to be honored in the land (see Deuteronomy 12:5, 11, 18). The “Name” of God is equivalent to God’s gracious presence and strong power (e.g., see Exodus 3:14-15; Exodus 34:5-7; Proverbs 18:10). In the sanctuary where God’s Name (Yahweh) is honored, then the people can bring their offerings and tithes and celebrate their festivals and feasts unto the living God with their family and friends (Deuteronomy 12:6-7, 12-14, 26-31; see also Hebrews 10:24-25). Such worship and obedience to the living God would be pleasing and right in God’s eyes and bring God’s blessings to Israel and their children (Deuteronomy 12:28; see also Deuteronomy 4:40).

Then, Moses warned Israel and now the church that if a prophet, visionary, or dreamer comes and performs signs, wonders, and miracles that becomes true but says, ‘Come, let us worship the gods of the other nations,’ Moses said do not listen to such wicked and false prophet (Deuteronomy 13:1-3; see also Jeremiah 23:25-27; Jeremiah 29:8-9; Zechariah 10:2). Even more, Moses warned Israel and now the church not even to listen to your nearest relative, closest friend, even a brother, son, daughter, or beloved spouse who whispers to you to come and worship other gods or idols (see Deuteronomy 13:6-8). Moses encouraged Israel and now the church to NEVER turn one’s heart, love, and allegiance from the living LORD God and His moral commandments and NEVER worship any other god nor idol but worship God only (Deuteronomy 13:4-5; see also Deuteronomy 6:13, 16; Matthew 4:7, 10; 1 Corinthians 5:13; 2 John 1:5-6). Such evil and false prophets, diviners, and mediums prophets appear and perform great signs and miracles, even in God and Jesus’ Name, to exploit and turn people’s hearts away from the living God and His moral commands (e.g., see Jeremiah 23:25-26, 30-32; Matthew 24:24-25). Therefore, Moses warned Israel and now the church to be on guard against such lying workers of evil, even if a close friend or family member, who perform such counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders to deceive God’s people away from loving and obeying Him (e.g., see Mark 13:22-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; 2 Peter 2:1-3). The living God and His moral commands must always be first in our lives, even before our spouses, family, and friend (e.g., see Luke 14:25-27).

Many people – cult members as well as believers of Jesus Christ – claim that God has spoken to them. So how do God’s people evaluate those claims? The book of Deuteronomy offers two tests. First, a prediction made in God’s Name must, in fact, come true (see Deuteronomy 18:21-22). Eventually, fulfillment is one test of a true prophet. The second and more stringent test states that if a prediction does come true, but the prophet tries to lead people to worship some other god or idol, that prophet must be rejected and expelled (see Deuteronomy 13:1-5, 6, 13). Israel and now the church must only worship and serve the LORD God (Yahweh) and obey His moral commands (Deuteronomy 13:4). A true and faithful prophet speaks in God’s Name and only gives God’s message for God's glory for the good of the people. A mark of a false prophet or evil worker is messages that say; “Let us go after other gods” (see Deuteronomy 13:2, 6, 13). Evil workers of Satan can perform miracles (e.g., see 2 Thessalonians 2:9) and not everybody who addresses Jesus as “Lord” is a genuine child of God or servant of God (see Matthew 7:21-23).

References

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

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

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

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

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

Always Love and Obey God

Moses: ¹² “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? He requires only that you (reverentially) fear the LORD your God and live (walk) in a way that pleases Him, and love Him and serve Him with all your heart and soul. ¹³ And you must always obey (keep) the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.

¹⁴ Look, the highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the LORD your God.¹⁵ Yet the LORD chose your ancestors as the objects of His love (affection). And He chose you, their descendants, above all other nations, as is evident today. ¹⁶ Therefore, change (circumcise) your hearts and stop being stubborn (rebellious, stiff-necked). ¹⁷ For the LORD your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. ¹⁸ He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners (aliens) living among you and gives them food and clothing. ¹⁹ So you, too, must show love to foreigners (aliens), for you yourselves were once foreigners (aliens) in the land of Egypt.

²⁰ You must (reverentially) fear the LORD your God and worship (serve) Him and cling to Him. Your oaths must be in His Name alone. ²¹ He alone is your God, the only One who is worthy of your praise, the One who has done these mighty miracles that you have seen with your own eyes. ²² When your ancestors went down into Egypt, there were only seventy of them. But now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky!” Deuteronomy 10:12-22 (NLT)

What does God want? Many people have asked that very question of what does the living God require of humanity. In Deuteronomy chapters 10 and 11, Moses gives not only Israel but also the church the central answer of what the living God needs of all humankind (see Deuteronomy 10:12-11:32).

The living God created humankind in His image (e.g., see Genesis 1:1, 26-28; Genesis 5:1; Psalm 100:3). As our Creator, the living God requires all humankind to reverentially fear Him as our LORD God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, to serve the LORD our God with all your heart and with all our soul, and to obey and keep His moral commandments (Deuteronomy 10:12-13, 20; Deuteronomy 11:1, 22). How often we complicate faith with our man-made rules, regulations, and requirements. The living God wants more than external rituals and going through the motions such as baptism, confirmation, and church membership, although such ceremonies are important (e.g., see Ephesians 6:6). The living God wants our wholehearted love for Him first (see Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 22:37). Moses encouraged Israel (and now the church) to submit to the LORD God inside, in their hearts, as well as outside, in their bodies. Here, Moses gives everyone a simple summary to remember: (1) fear God and have reverence and respect for Him; (2) walk in all God’s ways (e.g., see Exodus 34:6-7); (3) to love God (e.g., see Deuteronomy 6:4-6); (4) serve and worship Him with all our heart and soul (see Exodus 20:3-7); and (5) keep His commands (see 1 John 5:3).

The central elements in Deuteronomy chapters 10 and 11 is the command to love, fear, serve, obey, respect, follow, and worship the LORD God with all your heart and soul  and His moral commandments (Deuteronomy 10:12, 15-16, 19; Deuteronomy 11:1, 13, 16, 18, 22; see also Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Throughout the book of Deuteronomy, love for God and obeying His commands are inseparably linked (e.g., see Deuteronomy 5:10; Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Deuteronomy 8:11; Deuteronomy 11:1, 13, 22). In fact, this theme flows throughout the entire Old Testament (e.g., see Joshua 22:5; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Daniel 9:4) and on into the New Testament (e.g., see Matthew 22:37-40; John 14:15-16, 20-21, 23; John 15:9-10; 1 John 2:3-5; 1 John 5:3; 2 John 1:6). The chief and highest end for all humankind are to love, serve, and glorify God and fully to enjoy Him forever (e.g., see Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Psalm 100:1-2; Matthew 22:37; see also Westminster Larger and Smaller Catechisms). The earth and highest heaven belong to the living LORD God, who created the heavens and the earth, and He is from everlasting to everlasting (Deuteronomy 10:15; see also Exodus 19:5; 1 Kings 18:27; Nehemiah 9:5-6; Psalm 24:1; Acts 17:22-29). Moses reminded Israel (and the church) that obedience to the living God and His moral commandments is for their good, reveal their wisdom, and leads to life (Deuteronomy 10:13; see also Deuteronomy 4:6-8; Deuteronomy 5:32-33; Deuteronomy 6:24-25; Deuteronomy 12:28; 1 Kings 2:2-4). Obedience to the Lord is the key to every blessing!

Therefore, Moses encouraged Israel to circumcise (or change) their hearts by turning and surrendering their whole hearts and minds away from sin and wickedness, and turning to the living God with all love, obedience, and service to Him and His moral commandments (Deuteronomy 10:16; see also Deuteronomy 30:6; Jeremiah 4:4; Matthew 3:2-3; Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:14-15; Acts 20:21; Romans 2:28-29). The living God of Israel is the God of gods and Lord of lords, and He is awesome, mighty, and faithful (Deuteronomy 10:17; see also Deuteronomy 7:9, 21; Joshua 22:22; Psalm 135:5; Psalm 136:2-3; Daniel 2:47; 1 Timothy 6:15-16). The LORD God is the great and mighty God who so loves the world He created (Deuteronomy 10:17; see also Psalm 145:17-20; Psalm 146:6; John 3:16). Therefore, Moses encouraged Israel (and now the church) to give God alone our first allegiance and worship.

Moreover, Moses proclaimed that the LORD God defends the cause of the fatherless and widows, and He loves foreigners and gives them food and clothing (Deuteronomy 10:18-19; see also Exodus 22:21-24; Leviticus 19:33-34; Deuteronomy 27:19; Isaiah 10:1-3). The LORD God is a Father to the fatherless and a Defender of widows (see Psalm 68:5). Even more, the living God graciously helps the aliens and oppressed, sets the prisoner free, and gives food to the poor (see Psalm 146:7-9). For that reason, the living God requires His people to also give fairness and justice, show mercy, and compassion to one another, and not oppress but love the widows, the fatherless, the aliens and the poor (Deuteronomy 10:18-19; see also Deuteronomy 24:17-18; Isaiah 1:11-15; Jeremiah 7:22-23; Micah 6:6-8; Hoses 6:6; Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 22:3; Zechariah 7:9-10). Amazingly during His public ministry, Jesus also taught His disciple not to neglect the more important matters of the Law – justice, mercy and faithfulness – and commanded His disciples to love one another (see Matthew 9:13; Matthew 12:7; Matthew 22:39; Matthew 23:23; Mark 12:33; Luke 11:42; John 13:34-35).

True love for God also means love for others – you cannot have one without the other (e.g., see Matthew 7:12; Luke 10:25-37; Romans 10:8-10; Galatians 5:14). A covenant relationship with the living God will always cause one to express love in both a vertical and horizontal dimension. To love God is to love one’s neighbor (see Deuteronomy 10:12, 20). Good news is that if our hearts are surrendered to God with all love and obedience, then we will naturally want to do good and love others too (see Ephesians 2:10). Truly, a Spirit of love runs throughout Deuteronomy – love for God and love for others (see also Mark 12:28-31). In the Holy Scriptures, love is more than a feeling; true love is a decision to serve another person’s best interest (e.g., see Romans 13:8-10). Only through God’s help can one genuinely love another with all our heart!

Furthermore, Moses reminded the Israelites they too were refugees and foreigners in the land of Egypt, and the living God graciously cared for Israel (Deuteronomy 10:19; see also Exodus 22:21; Exodus 23:9; Leviticus 19:34; Deuteronomy 24:18). Israel’s ancestors – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – were immigrants. When Israel (Jacob) and his twelve sons went down into Egypt, there were only seventy of them (Deuteronomy 10:22; see also Genesis 46:26-27; Exodus 1:5; Acts 7:14). However, the living God graciously multiplied and increased Israel and his descendants to as many as the stars in the sky as He promised His servant Abraham (Deuteronomy 10:22; see also Genesis 12:2; Genesis 13:14-16; Genesis 15:4-6; Genesis 22:17-18; Genesis 26:4; Deuteronomy 1:10).

Once more, Moses instructed Israel (and the church) to honor, love, and respect the living God, obey and keep every one of His righteous commandments, and worship and serve Him only (Deuteronomy 10:20; Deuteronomy 11:1, 8, 13, 22; see also Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Deuteronomy 8:3; Deuteronomy 13:4; Deuteronomy 30:19-20; Matthew 4:4). The LORD God is our praise and our living God (Deuteronomy 10:21; see also Exodus 15:22; Jeremiah 17:14). The living God is great, awesome, all-powerful, good, and forever faithful (Deuteronomy 11:2-4; see also Deuteronomy 7:9, 21; Deuteronomy 10:17; Joshua 22:22; Psalm 136:1-3; Daniel 2:47; Lamentations 3:22-23; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; 2 Thessalonians 3:3). Besides, Moses reminded Israel they had strong reasons to believe in God and obey God’s commands because they personally eye witnessed a parade of God’s mighty miracles against the Egyptians (see Deuteronomy 11:7). The LORD God will care for you, protect you, and provide for your every need (Deuteronomy 11:5; see also Deuteronomy 8:4; Deuteronomy 29:5-6; Psalm 37:4-5; Psalm 55:22; Nehemiah 9:21; Matthew 6:9-13, 25-34; Luke 11:1-4; Hebrews 13:5-6; 1 Peter 5:7). God has promised never to leave us nor forsake us (see Matthew 28:20; John 14:1, 15-18, 27; John 16:33; Romans 8:37-39).

Moses once again warned Israel not to rebel against the living and His righteous ways by worshipping and serving other gods (e.g., money, material possession, status, job promotion, etc.) because such evil and disobedience will lead to their death, disease, and destruction (Deuteronomy 11:16, 28; see also Deuteronomy 4:19; Deuteronomy 6:13-15; Deuteronomy 28:15-68). Such disobedience and unfaithfulness against the living God brings God’s wrath, punishment, and anger (Deuteronomy 11:17; see also Leviticus 26:18-22; Deuteronomy 30:18; Joshua 23:14-16; 1 Kings 8:35-36). Often in Jewish history, the living God closed the windows of heavens and disciplined His people until they confessed their sins and returned wholeheartedly to Him (e.g., see Deuteronomy 28:23-24; 2 Chronicles 7:13-14). The LORD God’s anger against Israel would cause Him to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce (e.g., see Deuteronomy 28:23-24; 1 Kings 17:1). All-important seasonal rains are controlled by the living God (see Deuteronomy 11:14).

However, faithfully loving and obeying the living God and His righteous commandments with all our hearts, souls, and minds lead to life, contentment, and blessings for not only you and your family but for their nation (Deuteronomy 11:8-15, 21, 27; see also Deuteronomy 28:1-14; 2 Chronicles 7:13-14; Matthew 6:33; John 5:24). Once again, Moses encouraged the people to seek forever and love God and keep His commands on their hearts, souls, and minds and teach God’s righteous ways to their children and grandchildren (Deuteronomy 11:18-20; see also Deuteronomy 6:4-9). God will be our Divine Protector and Warrior, and He will increase our lands and defeat all our enemies if we will always love, serve, and obey Him (Deuteronomy 11:12, 22-25; see also Deuteronomy 1:30-31; Deuteronomy 6:21-23; Deuteronomy 7:1-2, 20-24; Deuteronomy 8:14-16; Deuteronomy 9:3; Deuteronomy 26:6-9; Deuteronomy 31:4). Moses promised that if the people loved, feared, and obeyed God; He would graciously bless their land and the people.

God does not “buy” our obedience, but He does reward our faith and obedience to Him (see Romans 8:1). On the other hand, God’s people cannot blame suffering on God because our sin deserves God’s punishment. Thus, Deuteronomy chapters 10 and 11 teach a forceful statement of a universal principle: those who are faithful to God will receive God’s blessings, and those who are unfaithful to God can expect to receive His judgment. God is faithful to His people and expects us to be faithful to Him in return. LOVE AND OBEY THE LIVING GOD!

References

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).

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

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

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

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

Blessings Because of God’s Grace

Moses: ¹ “Listen (hear), O Israel! Today you are about to cross the Jordan River to take over the land belonging to nations much greater and more powerful (mightier, stronger) than you. They live in cities with walls that reach to the sky! ² The people are strong and tall—descendants of the famous Anakite giants. You have heard the saying, ‘Who can stand up to the Anakites?’ ³ But recognize today that the LORD your God is the One who will cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire to destroy them. He will subdue them so that you will quickly conquer them and drive them out, just as the LORD has promised.

⁴ After the LORD your God has done this for you, do not say in your hearts (minds), ‘The LORD has given us this land because we are such good (righteous) people!’ No, it is because of the wickedness of the other nations that He is pushing them out of your way.” ⁵ It is not because you are so good (righteous) or have such integrity (uprightness) that you are about to occupy their land. The LORD your God will drive these nations out ahead of you only because of their wickedness and to fulfill the oath (promise) He swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. ⁶ You must recognize that the LORD your God is not giving you this good land because you are good (righteous), for you are not—you are a stubborn (stiff-necked) people. Deuteronomy 9:1-6 (NLT)

In Deuteronomy 9, Moses continues his history lesson to a new generation of Israelites on the border of God’s Promised Land. From a historical standpoint, Deuteronomy 9:1-10:11 is a travel narrative much like Deuteronomy 1:6-3:29. As before, Moses repeatedly urges Israel’s faithfulness and obedience to the living God (Deuteronomy 9:1; see also Deuteronomy 4:1; Deuteronomy 5:1; Deuteronomy 6:4). A new generation of Israelites was about to cross the Jordan River and begin to defeat and overthrow nations much greater and more powerful than they were (Deuteronomy 9:1; see also Deuteronomy 4:38). Even more, Israel would have to defeat nations living in high walled cities and among the people were the strong and tall descendants of the famous Anakite giants (Deuteronomy 9:2; see also Numbers 13:22, 28-29, 33; Deuteronomy 1:28). The Anakites were large people, and Goliath was probably a descendant of these giants, who stood over nine feet tall (see also 1 Samuel 17:4-7).

By human sight, Israel was facing an impossible challenge. Sadly, the first generation of Israelites leaving Egyptian bondage did not trust and believe in the LORD God Almighty, when they heard about the giants and the walled cities in God’s Promised land (Deuteronomy 9:1-2; see also Numbers 13:26-33; Deuteronomy 1:26-28). Moses encouraged Israel not to live by sight and fear but by faith in their God because He would fight for and protect Israel (Deuteronomy 1:29-31; see also Habakkuk 2:4; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38). The LORD God of Israel is the God of gods and Lord of lords, and He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God (e.g., see Deuteronomy 7:21; Deuteronomy 10:17; Joshua 22:22; Psalm 136:1-3; Daniel 2:47). What is impossible for humans are never impossible with the living God (e.g., see Jeremiah 32:27; Zechariah 8:6; Matthew 19:26). The Name of the LORD is strong and mighty (see 1 Samuel 17:45). The battle was the Lord’s battle (see 1 Samuel 17:47). Everything is possible with God for those who believes and obeys Him (see Mark 9:23; Mark 10:27; Luke 1:37; Luke 18:27). By themselves and their limited resources, Israel had no possibility of conquering the land, but with God’s power, everything is possible (see Matthew 17:20; Matthew 21:21; Mark 11:22-26). Without faith in Him, it is impossible to please the living God (see Hebrews 11:6). For everyone that comes to God must believe that He exists and that He graciously rewards everyone that wholeheartedly seek, love, and obey Him (see also 1 Chronicles 28:9; Jeremiah 29:11-14).

Therefore, Moses encouraged Israel not to be afraid or fearful. The LORD God Almighty was going ahead of His people as a strong, consuming, and devouring fire (Deuteronomy 9:3; see also Exodus 15:7; Deuteronomy 31:3-6). The living God is a devouring fire and not even a giant could stand up Him (see Deuteronomy 4:24, 35-36; Hebrews 12:29). Even more, Moses proclaimed to Israel that the LORD God Almighty would destroy these great and powerful nations living in walled cities and defeat the strong and tall Anakite giants (Deuteronomy 9:3; see also Exodus 23:31; Deuteronomy 4:35-39; Deuteronomy 7:23-24). The living God would defeat Israel’s giants so that Israel could quickly conquer them and drive them out, just as the LORD promised their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (see Deuteronomy 9:3, 5). Truly, unbelief is the chief and root of many sins and problems and cause people to look everywhere but to God for their help and guidance (see Psalms 81:6-12; Psalm 95:8-11; Psalm 106:13-20; Hebrews 3:12).

However, Moses warned Israel that when the LORD God defeats their enemies and the giants, Israel must not say in their hearts and minds, “It is because of my righteousness that the LORD has brought me in to possess this land” (Deuteronomy 9:4, ESV). Moses proclaimed repeatedly to Israel that the living God was defeating their enemies and giants not because of their goodness or righteousness but because of the wickedness and evil of the other nations and His promises to their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deuteronomy 9:4-6; see also Deuteronomy 8:10-18). Thus, Israel did not earn God’s Promised Land because the wicked nations forfeited their rights to the land. Once again, Moses reminded Israel of God’s goodness, grace, and divine love. Just like believers’ salvation, the Promised Land was a gift from the living God to Israel and not a reward for their righteousness (Deuteronomy 9:4-5; see also Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). Moses was making clear to Israel (and the church) that all people are wicked and undeserving of God’s grace (see also Romans 3:9, 19, 23-24). God had graciously promised Abraham to give him and his descendants the land of Canaan – the Promised Land (see Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 13:14-17; Genesis 15:7-21). God is faithful to keep His promises (see Deuteronomy 7:9; 2 Corinthians 1:20). Even with His grace, the living God still reminded Israel that they must carefully do and obey His commandments — to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to Him and to hold fast to Him and He would defeat their enemies and giants (e.g., see Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Deuteronomy 11:1, 22-25). If Israel obeyed Him and His moral commandments, the living God promised Israel that no one would be able to stand against them (see Deuteronomy 11:25).

Moses reminded the new generation of Israelites of the first generation’s repeated rebellion, wickedness, and stubbornness towards the living God and His moral commandments – the covenant (Deuteronomy 9:6-12, 22-24; see also Psalm 106:6-71 Corinthians 10:1-14). Sadly, the first generation of Israelites leaving Egyptian bondage repeatedly disobeyed and rebelled against the living God and His covenant expectations – the Ten Commandments (see Deuteronomy 9:6-8). The LORD God’s finger personally wrote His covenant – the Ten Commandments – on the stone tablets for Israel (and the church) to obey (Deuteronomy 9:9-11, 15; see also Exodus 31:18; Exodus 32:15-16; Exodus 34:1, 27-28; Deuteronomy 4:13; Deuteronomy 5:22; Deuteronomy 10:1-4; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; John 14:15-16, 20-21, 23; John 15:9-10; 1 John 2:3-5; 2 John 1:6). God’s personal attention to the covenant, that is, the Ten Commandments, underscores the fundamental importance of the entire covenant relations. The true and living God had called Israel (and now the church) to live wholly devoted to Him and free from adultery, sexual immorality, murder, falsehood, theft, greed, jealousy, drunkenness, anger, covetousness, and envy because these actions are improper for God's holy people (see Exodus 19:5-6; Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21; Deuteronomy 32:35; Matthew 19:16-19; Romans 12:9-21; Romans 13:8-10).

However, the first generation of Israelites leaving Egyptian were unthankful of God’s grace, repeatedly rebelled against the living God, worshipped an idol – the golden calf, and did not trust in God’s faithfulness and goodness (Deuteronomy 9:7, 12-13, 16, 22-24; see also Exodus 32:1-35; Psalm 106:13-33; Hebrews 3:7-12). During their march from Egyptian slavery to the border of God’s Promised Land at Kadesh-Barnea, Israel visibly saw the mighty and powerful hand of the living God to defeat the Egyptians and meet their every need (e.g., see Deuteronomy 32:7-12; Psalm 106:8-12). At Taberah, the people complained to God about their “hardships” in the wilderness, and God sent fire that consumed some of the people on the outskirts of the camp (see Numbers 11:1-3). Then at Massah, Israel complained to God and Moses because they were thirsty, so Moses struck the rock and God provided Israel water (see Exodus 17:1-7). At Kibroth Hattaavah, Israel became weary of God’s miracle food from heaven – the manna and craved meat to eat (see Numbers 11:4-6). The living God miraculous sent flocks of quail over the camp of Israel to feed His people meat (see Numbers 11:31-34). Finally, Moses reminded Israel of the great failure at Kadesh-Barnea where they failed to trust in the living God’s power and obey His voice to enter into His good Promised Land (Deuteronomy 9:23-24; see also Numbers 13:1-14:38; Deuteronomy 1:26-40).

Because of Israel’s repeated idolatry and rebellion, God wanted to destroy all of Israel, blot out their name from under heaven, and begin a new mighty nation with Moses (Deuteronomy 9:8, 13-14, 19; see also Exodus 32:9-10; Numbers 14:11-12). However, Moses refused God’s offer to begin a new nation with him (Deuteronomy 9:14; see also Numbers 14:12). Instead, Moses placed the glory of God and the good of Israel ahead of personal promotion and fame (see Deuteronomy 9:27-28). Moses was more concerned with the glory of God and God’s reputation before the nations, for he knew that the fear of God had to go before Israel if they were to conquer the land and claim their inheritance (see Deuteronomy 9:29). In fact, Moses was willing to die for the people rather than see God destroy Israel (see Exodus 32:31-34; Numbers 12:7; Hebrews 3:2, 5). A true shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (see John 10:11).

Moses interceded and prayed to the living God forty days and nights to forgive Israel’s sin and wickedness (Deuteronomy 9:18, 25; see also Exodus 32:10-11, 30-33; Exodus 34:28, 31-32). During his prayers and intercession, Moses reminded the living God that Israel was His special inheritance and treasure saved from Egypt by His mighty power and glorious strength (Deuteronomy 9:26, 29; see also Exodus 32:12-13; Deuteronomy 4:34). Moreover, Moses reminded God of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and to overlook Israel’s sins (see Deuteronomy 9:27-28). The living God listened to Moses’ prayers and intercession, forgave Israel’s sins, and did not destroy Israel (Deuteronomy 9:19-20; Deuteronomy 10:10; see also Exodus 32:14). Truly, the living God listens to the prayers of the righteous and humble (e.g., see Genesis 18:23-32; 2 Kings 4:33; Psalm 145:18-19; Proverbs 15:8, 29; James 5:16).

Despite Moses’ faithfulness, Jesus is counted as better than Moses (see Hebrews 3:3). Jesus has also taught His disciples that we “should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1; see also Luke 11:5-8; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17) because Jesus Himself is “at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (see Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1). Jesus is truly our perfect prayer partner – the Friend, who intercedes for us at the right hand of God (see 1 Timothy 2:5). Likewise, as believers of Jesus, God sends believers of Jesus the Holy Spirit who also intercedes for us through wordless groans (Romans 8:26-27; see also John 14:15-16). Thus, the Jesus the Son of God and the Holy Spirit are interceding with believers with the Father, the LORD GOD Almighty.

Then, the living God instructed Moses to cut two more stone tablets like the first ones, and God also instructed Moses to make a wooden Ark — a sacred chest — to keep the covenant, which is the Ten Commandments or Testimony (Deuteronomy 10:1, 3; see also Exodus 34:1-2; Hebrews 9:4). Moses returned to the mountaintop of Mount Sinai (Horeb), and the living God rewrote on the stone tablets the same Ten Commandments that were on the first tablets Moses previously smashed, and Moses placed the covenant inside the Ark (Deuteronomy 10:2-5; see also Exodus 24:12; Exodus 25:10, 16, 21; Exodus 34:4, 28; Exodus 40:20-21; 1 Kings 8:9; 2 Chronicles 5:10). These were the same Ten Commandments the living God gave Moses from the heart of the fire at Mount Sinai (Horeb) (Deuteronomy 10:4; see also Exodus 20:1; Deuteronomy 9:10).

Then, the LORD God commanded Moses to appoint and set apart the tribe of Levi as priests (Deuteronomy 10:8-9; see also Deuteronomy 18:1). The living God instructed the tribe of Levi to carry the Ark containing the Ten Commandments of God, to stand before Him as His ministers to perform His work, and to pronounce blessings in His Name (Deuteronomy 10:8-9; see also Numbers 3:6-10; Numbers 8:14; Deuteronomy 18:5, 7). Because of Levi’s ministry responsibilities to the living God, the tribe of Levi never received an inheritance of land in the Promised Land as the other tribes of Israel (see also Deuteronomy 18:1-2). Instead, the living God became Levi’s inheritance, and God set apart Levi’s tribe to serve Him (Deuteronomy 10:9; see also Numbers 3:11-12; Numbers 18:20-24).

In the New Testament, Apostle Paul used Israel’s desert experience to remind the church the importance of our wholehearted faithfulness, thankfulness, and obedience to the living God (1 Corinthians 10:1-14; see also Deuteronomy 9:7-8, 11-12, 16). Like Moses’ farewell address to a new generation of Israelites, the Apostle Paul did not want the church to make the same mistakes as the first generation of Israelites living Egyptian slavery. The living God graciously and miraculously parted the Red Sea to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage (see 1 Corinthians 10:1-2), and then supernaturally fed Israel manna and water in the wilderness (see 1 Corinthians 10:3-4). Despite God grace and goodness, many of the Israelites rebelled against God by worshiping a golden calf (1 Corinthians 10:7; see also Exodus 32:4-6, 19); engaging in sexuality immorality (1 Corinthians 10:8; see also Numbers 25:1-9); and failed to give God’s thanksgiving for His blessings (1 Corinthians 10:9-10; e.g., see also Numbers 11:1-6; Numbers 21:4-7). Because of Israel’s repeated sin and rebellion, God severely punished Israel (see 1 Corinthians 10:5). The Apostle Paul warned the church that what happened in these Old Testament settings with Israel should be “examples” or a “warning” to believers of Jesus today (see 1 Corinthians 10:1, 6, 11-13). Therefore, the Apostle Paul rebuked the church flee from idolatry and sinful cravings, and wholehearted follow God (1 Corinthians 10:14; see also 1 Peter 2:11-12; 1 John 5:21).  

References

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

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

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

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

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

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

God’s Grace

Moses:  ¹ “Be careful to obey (do) all the commands (commandments) I am giving you today. Then you will live and multiply (increase), and you will enter and occupy the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). ² Remember how the LORD your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character (what was in your heart and mind), and to find out whether or not you would obey His commands. ³ Yes, He humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every Word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. ⁴ For all these forty years your clothes did not wear out, and your feet did not blister or swell. ⁵ Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the LORD your God disciplines you for your own good.

⁶ So obey the commands (commandments) of the LORD your God by walking in His ways and fearing (loving, honoring, respecting) Him. ⁷ For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with fountains and springs that gush out in the valleys and hills. ⁸ It is a land of wheat and barley; of grapevines, fig trees, and pomegranates; of olive oil and honey. ⁹ It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. It is a land where iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills. ¹⁰ When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise (bless) the LORD your God for the good land He has given you.

¹¹ But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty (fullness) you do not forget the LORD your God and disobey His commands (commandments), regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. ¹² For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, ¹³ and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! ¹⁴ Do not become proud at that time and forget the LORD your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. ¹⁵ Do not forget that He led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! ¹⁶ He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. ¹⁷ He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ ¹⁸ Remember the LORD your God. He is the One who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant He confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.

¹⁹ But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed. ²⁰ Just as the LORD has destroyed other nations in your path, you also will be destroyed if you refuse to obey the LORD your God.” Deuteronomy 8:1-20 (NLT)

On the border of the Promised Land, Moses reminded a new generation of Israelites about God’s goodness and grace that comes to all who faithfully love, honor, and obey the living God and His moral commandments – the covenant (Deuteronomy 8:1; see also Exodus 19:5-6; Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 4:1, 39-40; Deuteronomy 6:1-6). Love and obedience to the living God and His moral commandments with all humility brings life, increase, and fullness (Deuteronomy 8:1; see also Deuteronomy 5:32-33; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; John 14:15-16, 20-21, 23; John 15:9-10; 1 John 2:3-5; 2 John 1:6).

In Deuteronomy 8, Moses reminded a new generation of Israelites that the living God led Israel through the wilderness for forty years, humbling them and testing them (see Deuteronomy 8:2). God had a unique relationship with Israel, who were a band of refugees roaming the Sinai wilderness for 40 years (see Deuteronomy 10:15; Deuteronomy 14:2). Israel was God’s treasured possession (see Exodus 19:5). Like Israel, the church is also God’s chosen people and His treasured possession (see 1 Peter 2:5, 9-10).

During the wilderness wandering, the LORD God wanted to find out what was really in Israel’s hearts, and whether or not they would obey Him and His moral commandments during hardships, testing, and trials (Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 15-16; see also Romans 5:1-5; James 1:2-4). The LORD God humbled and tested Israel by letting the people go through hungry and thirsty (see Deuteronomy 8:3, 16). Thus, Israel’s wilderness wandering period was not only punishment for their disobedience but also a test (Deuteronomy 8:2-3; see also Numbers 13 and 14). The wilderness test was to reveal the state of Israel’s heart condition.

Then, the living God graciously fed Israel with manna (bread) and quail (meat) from heaven and water from a rock until they reached His Promised Land (Deuteronomy 8:3; see also Exodus 16:1-35; Exodus 17:6; Numbers 11:6-9; Numbers 20:11; Numbers 21:5; Psalm 78:23-28; Psalm 105:39-42). Manna was the bread of angels and look white like coriander seed and resin and tasted like wafers made with honey (see Exodus 16:31; Numbers 11:7-9; Psalm 78:25). Even during those forty years of wilderness testing, Israel’s clothes never grew old, and their feet were never blistered or swell (Deuteronomy 8:4; see also Deuteronomy 29:5-6; Nehemiah 9:21).

The living God wanted Israel to take one day at a time and always depend upon and trust Him for all their daily food, needs, and clothing (see also Matthew 6:9-13, 25-34; Luke 11:1-4). This is the point Jesus made to the evil one when He quoted Deuteronomy 8:3 while being tempted to deny the living God in exchange for food, glory, and riches (see Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 41-13). Real life and peace comes by wholeheartedly and faithfully loving God and obeying God’s moral commandments, even during difficult and hard times (Deuteronomy 8:3; see also Matthew 24:13; Luke 21:19; John 6:35, 46-51; John 15:1-10; Romans 5:3; Hebrews 10:35-38). In the desert, God was teaching Israel, and also the church today, which He would provide all they needed. Like Israel, God wants the church to know we can cast all our cares, worries, and needs upon Him for He cares and loves us (e.g., see Psalm 37:4-5; Psalm 55:22; Matthew 6:25, 32; Hebrews 13:5-6; 1 Peter 5:7). God the Father and His Son Jesus have promised never to leave His people as orphans (see John 14:1, 15-18, 27), but to faithfully be with His people by the Holy Spirit, even during times of hardship, persecution, and suffering (see Matthew 28:20; John 16:33; Romans 8:37-39).

Even more, Moses reminded the Israelites that the living God was good and gracious (see also Psalm 100:5; Nahum 1:7, 15). As good parents punish and discipline their children, the LORD God as our loving Heavenly Father also punishes and disciplines His people to help and grow us (Deuteronomy 8:5; see also Deuteronomy 4:35-38; Proverbs 29:17; Hebrews 5:11; Revelation 3:19). In fact, God’s discipline is evidence of God’s love and our membership in God’s family (see John 1:12-13; Hebrews 12:5-8; Proverbs 3:5-6, 11-12).So Moses encouraged the people to always faithfully love and reverentially honor the living God, obey His righteous ways, and shun evil (Deuteronomy 8:6; see also Proverbs 8:13). God’s people must live by faith in God and not grow weary and lose heart (e.g., see Habakkuk 2:4; Hebrews 12:2-3, 9-10).

By His grace and goodness, Moses proclaimed to Israel that the living God was giving Israel a good land filled with brooks, pools, gushing springs, valleys, hills; wheat, and barley, of grape vines, fig trees, pomegranates, olives, and honey (Deuteronomy 8:7-8; see also Deuteronomy 11:8-13). Moses assured Israel that the living God was giving Israel a land where food is plentiful, and nothing is lacking nor scarce; a land where iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills (Deuteronomy 8:9).

When the people have eaten their fill, Moses reminded Israel always to bless and praise the LORD God for His goodness and wealth He had given them and their families (see Deuteronomy 8:10). In fact, Deuteronomy 8:10 is traditionally cited as the reason we say grace before or after meals. The living God is a good and gracious Father, and He was the One that provided for Israel and their families. All we have is of God’s grace and goodness. Therefore, our blessings from God should always result in praise and thanksgivings to Him!

Nevertheless, Moses warned the people to be careful and beware that in their fullness and plenty they never forget God’s goodness and grace and begin to disobey His commandments (Deuteronomy 8:11, 14; see also Deuteronomy 4:9; Deuteronomy 6:10-12). When Israel has become full and prosperous, built fine homes with large flocks and herds, silver and gold have multiplied, Moses warned Israel to watch out and be careful that they do not become proud and forget that God’s grace brought them out of bondage in the land of Egypt (see Deuteronomy 8:12-14). Again, Moses counseled the people never to forget that God’s grace led and protected Israel from great evil and harm and provided Israel water from the rock (Deuteronomy 8:14-15; see also Exodus 17:6; Numbers 20:11). Even more, Moses reminded Israel that the living God graciously fed Israel with manna in the wilderness so that Israel would become humble and so that their trust in Him would grow, and He would do Israel good (see Deuteronomy 8:16).

The living God gave Israel testing so that they would never feel that it was their power, smarts, and might that made them wealthy and successful (Deuteronomy 8:17; see also Deuteronomy 9:4, 7, 24). Moses warned the people always to remember that the living and gracious God gives people His power (Spirit) to become rich and therefore fulfill His promise to their ancestors – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deuteronomy 8:18; see also Deuteronomy 7:8, 12; Proverbs 10:22). Truly, God is the source of all success, wealth, and achievement – past and future – and not our independence nor self-righteousness! Moses warned Israel against such self-congratulatory and prideful attitude by taking the credit for their success and wealth.

God hates and punishes all self-dependent, selfish, prideful, overconfident, and arrogant people (e.g., see Proverbs 16:5; Proverbs 8:13). In fact, the book of Proverbs warns, “there are six things the LORD hates, . . . haughty (prideful) eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers” (see Proverbs 6:16-19, NIV). Pride causes a person to take credit for one’s successes and neglect God’s grace. Even worse, a prideful and ungrateful heart can quickly become a haven for all sorts of sinful attitudes and evil schemes. In Deuteronomy 8, Moses is reminding Israel that our talents, skills, and abilities, which lie behind our achievements and plenty, are all God’s gifts by His grace and goodness. Only the living God gives one the ability to produce wealth (see Deuteronomy 8:18). Yes, we are to work hard and educate ourselves. Education and hard work can develop the gifts God gives. However, we must never forget the Source and Giver of every good and perfect gift (Deuteronomy 8:10; see also John 3:27; John 15:1-10; James 1:17). We achieve success and wealth because of God’s goodness and grace, not because of our education, intellect, or hard work (see Deuteronomy 8:14, 18). With our wealth and achievements, we must continually depend upon and glorify God and help others in need (e.g., see 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 11:8-16; 1 Timothy 5:4, 8; 1 John 3:16-17).

Finally, Moses cautioned Israel that if they forget and neglect the living God and worship other gods or worship their wealth, they would certainly surely perish (Deuteronomy 8:19; see also Deuteronomy 4:25-27; Deuteronomy 6:13-15; Deuteronomy 30:17-18). God is faithful (see 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Corinthians 10:13), and Moses warns Israel always to remain faithful to the living God, who is the King and Creator of the heavens and earth (see Deuteronomy 4:25-26; Deuteronomy 6:4-6, 13-15; Deuteronomy 30:17-18). Our covenant disloyalty and adultery by worshipping others gods would surely result in our destruction. Just as the living God caused other nations in the past to perish, Israel will also perish if they do not faithfully worship and obey the living LORD God (see Deuteronomy 8:20).

In the book of Deuteronomy and throughout the Scriptures, the “key” that opened the door God’s grace and blessings was simple: to love and remain faithful to the living God, obey God’s moral commandments, and walk in God’s righteous ways (Deuteronomy 8:6; see also John 15:1-17). The heart of all commandments is to love the LORD God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength first (e.g., see Deuteronomy 5:7-10; Deuteronomy 6:4-6, 12-15; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 22:37). The living God wants all our heart and love fully devoted and faithful to Him and His commandments (see Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)!

References

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

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

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

God Is Faithful

Moses:  ⁶ “For you are a holy people, who belong to the LORD your God. Of all the people on earth, the LORD your God has chosen you (Israel) to be His own special treasure. ⁷ The LORD did not set His heart (love) on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! ⁸ Rather, it was simply that the LORD loves you . . . . ⁹ Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps His covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes His unfailing love on those who love Him and obey His commands. ¹⁰ But He does not hesitate to punish and destroy those who reject Him. ¹¹ Therefore, you must obey all these commands, decrees, and regulations I am giving you today. ¹² If you listen to these regulations and faithfully obey them, the LORD your God will keep His covenant of unfailing love with you, as He promised with an oath to your ancestors (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). ¹³ He will love you and bless you, and He will give you many children. He will give fertility to your land and your animals. When you arrive in the land He swore to give your ancestors, you will have large harvests of grain, new wine, and olive oil, and great herds of cattle, sheep, and goats. ¹⁴ You will be blessed above all the nations of the earth. None of your men or women will be childless (barren), and all your livestock will bear young. ¹⁵ And the LORD will protect you from all sickness. He will not let you suffer from the terrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but He will inflict them on all your enemies!” Deuteronomy 7:6-15 (NLT)

In Deuteronomy 7, Moses continues his farewell address to a new generation of Israelites before entering into God’s Promised Land. Sadly, the first generation of Israelites leaving Egyptian slavery repeatedly rejected God’s love, rebelled against His authority, ignored God’s moral commands, and even worshipped other gods (e.g., see Exodus 32:1-35; Numbers 14:9-12; Numbers 21:4-7; Numbers 25:1-9; Deuteronomy 1:28; Deuteronomy 9:7, 11-12, 16-17, 23-24; Deuteronomy 32:8-14; Psalm 106:24-27; Acts 7:39-43). Even worst, the first generation of Israelites did not trust and believe that the living God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was strong enough to give Israel the Promised Land (see Numbers chapters 13 and 14; Deuteronomy 1:32-40). The first generation of Israelites visibly witnessed God’s mighty hand and miraculous action to defeat the Egyptians and their gods and goddesses (e.g., Exodus 14:14, 25; Deuteronomy 1:29-31). However, the first generation of Israelites repeatedly disobeyed the living God. Because of their repeated unfaithfulness, 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 (see Deuteronomy 1:1-3, 5, 39-40).

On the border of the Promised Land, Moses encouraged a new generation of Israelites that the living God would be with and fight for Israel and give Israel victory over all their enemies (Deuteronomy 7:1, 17; see also Exodus 23:23; Deuteronomy 1:30-31; Deuteronomy 3:21-22; Deuteronomy 20:4; Deuteronomy 31:3). The LORD God was Israel’s Redeemer and Divine Warrior that fought 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 9:3; Deuteronomy 11:2-7; Deuteronomy 26:6-9; Deuteronomy 31:4). The living God was going ahead of Israel to destroy and defeat seven nations greater and mightier than Israel – the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites – to give Israel the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deuteronomy 7:1; e.g., see also Genesis 13:14-17; Genesis 15:18-21; Genesis 17:7-8; Deuteronomy 4:38; Joshua 3:10). Even more, the living God was using His people Israel to punish these wicked and evil nations of their sins (see Genesis 15:16; Deuteronomy 9:4-5; Deuteronomy 18:9-14).

Once in the Promised Land, Moses instructed the Israelites to destroy those wicked and immoral nations occupying the land and not submit to worshipping their gods nor following their immoral lifestyles (Deuteronomy 7:2-5, 16; see also Exodus 23:24). The LORD God would not permit intermarriage, political treaties, or any toleration to the pagan religions nor their idols of the land (Deuteronomy 7:3-4, 25-26; see also Exodus 23:32-33; 1 Kings 11:1-13). The reason was obvious: any link with those godless nations and their immoral religion would lead Israel into idolatry and undermine their wholehearted love, obedience, and devotion to the living God (see Exodus 23:24-25; Deuteronomy 6:4-6; 1 Corinthians 10:14; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1). The living God demanded Israel’s exclusive allegiance, love, and worship to Him (e.g., see Exodus 20:5-6; Deuteronomy 4:24; Deuteronomy 5:8-10; Deuteronomy 6:4-5, 13, 15-17; 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 foundation of the covenant relationship and the entire Holy Bible is to love the LORD God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength first (e.g., see Deuteronomy 5:7-10; Deuteronomy 6:4-6, 12-15; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 22:37). The living God wanted Israel’s heart to be fully devoted to Him!

Then, Moses reminded Israel who they were in God’s eyes – a people holy to the living God (Deuteronomy 7:6; e.g., see also Deuteronomy 14:2; Deuteronomy 26:19; Deuteronomy 28:9). The God of glory graciously elected Israel from all the people on the face of the whole earth to be His own chosen people and special treasure (see Deuteronomy 7:6). Through Israel’s devotion and obedience to the living God and His commands, Israel would be “a peculiar treasure” unto God and a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (see Exodus 19:5-6). The living God wanted to assure Israel would be a holy, wise, and righteous nation wholeheartedly devoted to Him as their only true God and obedient to His moral commands (Deuteronomy 7:6, 9; see also Deuteronomy 4:5-8, 35, 39-40; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Similarly, the living God has called the church (the new Israel of God) to be “the salt of the earth,” “the light of the world,”  “living and holy sacrifice . . . good and pleasing and perfect” like His Son, Jesus (see Matthew 5:13-16; Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 6:16; Philippians 2:14-15; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peters 2:5, 9-10).

Moses reminded Israel that the living God graciously choose Israel and poured out His covenant love upon Israel not because they were a larger nation than any others, for Israel were the smallest of all nations (see Deuteronomy 7:7). Deuteronomy makes clear that God chose Israel out of pure grace! The living God did not select Israel for their impressiveness, goodness, righteousness, or their faithfulness (see Deuteronomy 9:5, 24). Rather, the LORD God chose Israel because He loved them, and He had made absolute and unconditional promises to their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give Israel a good land flowing with milk and honey (Deuteronomy 7:8; see also Deuteronomy 4:37; Deuteronomy 10:14-15). Because of God’s grace and faithfulness to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, He brought Israel out of Egyptian slavery with such amazing power, His strong hand, and mighty miracles (Deuteronomy 7:8; see also Exodus 3:20; Exodus 6:6-8; Exodus 13:14-16).

As a recap, Abraham and Sarah were idol-worshipers in Ur of the Chaldeans (modern day Iraq) when “the God of glory” appeared to them (Genesis 11:27-32; Genesis 12:1-7; Joshua; 24:1-3; Acts 7:1-3). Upon their calling, Abraham and Sarah had no children; yet God promised Abraham that he and his descendants would be as numerous as the sands of the seashore and the stars of the heavens (e.g., see Genesis 13:16; Genesis 22:17-18; Genesis 28:14-15; Genesis 32:12). Abraham and Sarah believed God (see Genesis 15:1-7), and later they had one son, Isaac (see Genesis 21:1-7), and Isaac had two sons, Esau and Jacob (see Genesis 25:19-28). From Jacob’s twelve sons came the twelve tribes of Israel (see Genesis 29:31-35; Genesis 30:1-22; Genesis 35:16-18; Exodus 1:1-5). When Jacob’s family gathered in Egypt, there were seventy people in all (see Genesis 46:26-27; Exodus 1:1-5; Deuteronomy 10:22; Acts 7:14), but by the time they were delivered from Egypt, Jacob’s family had become a great and strong nation as God promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (see Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 1:6-7, 9, 20; Exodus 12:37).

Then, Moses reminded Israel that the living God is the only faithful and awesome God of the heavens and earth (Deuteronomy 7:9, 21; see also Deuteronomy 4:35; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; 2 Thessalonians 3:3). The LORD God faithfully keeps His continual love, mercy, and goodness to those who love Him and who obey His commandments (Deuteronomy 7:9; e.g., see also Exodus 20:6; Deuteronomy 5:10; 2 Chronicles 26:14; Nehemiah 1:5; Psalm 18:25). Nevertheless, the living God rejects and punishes those who hate Him and disobeys His moral commandments (Deuteronomy 7:10; see also Nahum 1:2-3). Therefore, Moses encouraged Israel to always faithfully love the living God and obey His moral commandments (Deuteronomy 7:11; see also Deuteronomy 10:12-13).

With our love and obedience to the LORD God and His commandments, Moses assured Israel that the LORD God would love, bless, and show mercy to Israel and make Israel into a great nation (Deuteronomy 7:12-14; see also Deuteronomy 28:1-14). The living God promised to make Israel fertile, bless Israel with children and grandchildren, and increase their numbers greatly (see Deuteronomy 7:13-14). Also, the LORD God promised to increase Israel’s crops, livestock, and animals, so that Israel will have large crops of grain, grapes, and olives, and great flocks of cattle, sheep, and goats (see Deuteronomy 7:13-14). Even more, God promised to take away all Israel’s sickness and not let Israel suffer any of the diseases the Egyptians suffered (Deuteronomy 7:15; see also Exodus 23:25). Moreover, the LORD God promised to make Israel blessed above all the nations of the earth (see Deuteronomy 7:14). All blessings and fullness flow from God’s gracious hand (see Deuteronomy 8:1-20). Thus, Israel’s devotion and covenant obedience to the living God was important to the nation’s present and future spiritual health and political future. However, privilege always brings responsibility, and Israel’s responsibility was to love and worship the LORD God only and obey His commandments (Deuteronomy 7:12; see also Joshua 23:9-11; Matthew 6:33). Though the covenant God made Abraham had few conditions, Israel was obligated to keep the covenant at Mount Sinai for the Abrahamic covenant to remain in force (see Genesis 12:1-3; Deuteronomy 28:1-14).

Once again, Moses reminded Israel not to fear nor be afraid of their enemies or any other nation, whether great or small (Deuteronomy 7:17-18, 21; see also Numbers 14:9; Deuteronomy 1:29-31). The LORD God would fight for Israel and conquer Israel’s enemies; even nations more powerful than Israel as He did to the Egyptians (Deuteronomy 7:17-18; see also Deuteronomy 31:6). The living God brought His terror, mighty miracles, and strong hand upon the Egyptians and defeated them for His beloved Israel (Deuteronomy 7:19; see also Deuteronomy 4:34; Deuteronomy 6:20-23). The LORD God Almighty promised to use His same miraculous signs and wonders, terror, strong hand, and outstretched powerful arm to go before His people Israel and open the way for victory (Deuteronomy 7:19-20, 22-23; see also Exodus 15:12-16; Joshua 2:8-11 Joshua 10:9-11).

The living God is a great and awesome God, and His gracious Presence was with Israel, as with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob  (Deuteronomy 7:21; see also Genesis 15:1; Genesis 26:24; Genesis 28:15; Exodus 33:12-17; Deuteronomy 6:15; Deuteronomy 10:17; Nehemiah 1:5). Even more, believers of Jesus can also know that truly “the LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (Psalm 46:7, 11 NIV; see also Matthew 1:23; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5-6). With the living God on Israel’s side, no one would be able to defeat Israel (Deuteronomy 7:24; see also Psalm 118:6; Romans 8:31; 1 John 4:4). Truly, if Israel remained faithful and obedient to the living God, then “no weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn” (see Isaiah 54:17, KJV; see also Genesis 15:1). Therefore, Moses instructed Israel to be brave and courageous, but forever obedient to the living God (see Numbers 14:9; Deuteronomy 7:21; Deuteronomy 31:6)!

For believers of Jesus, many people ask do these Old Testament promises of God apply to New Testament believers of God’s Son, Jesus. The answer is YES! Through our faith in Jesus, believers – rather Jewish or Gentile – become part of God’s family, a declared a descendent of Abraham, and become part of the church, which is the new Israel of God (e.g., see John 1:12-13; Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 3:6-9, 26-29; Galatians 6:16). The early church understood itself to be in a genuine succession of Israel and thus the inheritors of all the blessings promised to Israel (see 1 Peter 2:5, 9-10). All who are born again through faith in Jesus are “chosen in Him [Jesus] before the foundation of the world” (Deuteronomy 7:6; see also John 3:3-8; Ephesians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13). Like Israel, the church is God’s chosen people and His treasured possession, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (see 1 Peter 2:5, 9-10). Like Israel, the living God calls the church to love Him with our whole hearts, become a light to the lost world, and obedient to His moral commandments (e.g., see Matthew 5:14-16; Matthew 22:37; John 14:15-16, 20-21, 23; John 15:9-10; 1 John 2:3-5; 2 John 1:6).

One day, the church will become the bride of Christ, adorned in bright and pure white with her righteous acts, and “priests of God and of Christ”(see Ephesians 5:25-29; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10; Revelation 19:6-8; Revelation 21:2, 9; see also Proverbs 31:10-31). At Mount Sinai (Horeb), God promised the Israelites that if they would obey His voice and keep His commandments, they would become to Him a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6; see also Isaiah 61:6; 1 Peter 2:5, 9-12; Revelation 14:12). Corporately, the church is a kingdom with Jesus as Ruler and individually as priests.

References

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

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

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

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

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

Metzger, Bruce. Breaking the Code: Understanding the Book of Revelation (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1993).

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

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).