Deuteronomy 10

Deuteronomy 10:1

Prohibition to Make Any Idol

For the second time Moses insists on watching carefully (Deuteronomy 4:9; 15), to avoid wickedness by making an image of God. How would they portray God? For they have not seen His likeness, but only heard His voice. If they did, they would take something from creation. There is nothing against the things in creation. Nevertheless, taking something that is created and loosening it from creation to make it an object of worship, is idolatry.

Moses lists all the things that can be abused. He begins with the highest in creation on earth, man and woman, and descends to the lowest kind of creatures, after the example of which a graven picture can be made. Direct worship of heavenly bodies as a form of worship elevated above the earth is also an abomination to God.

It is easy for man to come to worship heavenly bodies. They make a great impression by their height, their brilliance and their meaning for life on earth, while there is no thought of Him Who made them. Many are the sun worshipers, but few are the true worshipers of the Father who worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:23). Any form of idolatry is a great insult to Him and a great deceit to the idolater himself.

The people of God are a redeemed people. God has redeemed His people, that they may be His own people. He has freed them from the “iron furnace, from Egypt”. An iron furnace is fired as hot as possible in order to process the metal afterwards. For Israel, Egypt had been a place of great distress and misery, where the fire of the trial had burned hot. Their liberation from that must have provided tremendous enlightenment.

God wants His people to serve and honor Him alone and in the way He indicates. Any relationship that His people have with something He has created in order to give honor to it, which only He is entitled to, is sin. It is a denial of the special relationship He has with this people and the special work by which He has made them His own people. God had said that they would be His own people, and now that has become reality.

The last words of Deu 4:20, “as today”, sound like an exclamation that underlines the relationship of the people to God. It sounds like the exclamation “and we are” of John that immediately follows what he has spoken about the love that “the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God” (1 John 3:1a).

Deuteronomy 10:2

Prohibition to Make Any Idol

For the second time Moses insists on watching carefully (Deuteronomy 4:9; 15), to avoid wickedness by making an image of God. How would they portray God? For they have not seen His likeness, but only heard His voice. If they did, they would take something from creation. There is nothing against the things in creation. Nevertheless, taking something that is created and loosening it from creation to make it an object of worship, is idolatry.

Moses lists all the things that can be abused. He begins with the highest in creation on earth, man and woman, and descends to the lowest kind of creatures, after the example of which a graven picture can be made. Direct worship of heavenly bodies as a form of worship elevated above the earth is also an abomination to God.

It is easy for man to come to worship heavenly bodies. They make a great impression by their height, their brilliance and their meaning for life on earth, while there is no thought of Him Who made them. Many are the sun worshipers, but few are the true worshipers of the Father who worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:23). Any form of idolatry is a great insult to Him and a great deceit to the idolater himself.

The people of God are a redeemed people. God has redeemed His people, that they may be His own people. He has freed them from the “iron furnace, from Egypt”. An iron furnace is fired as hot as possible in order to process the metal afterwards. For Israel, Egypt had been a place of great distress and misery, where the fire of the trial had burned hot. Their liberation from that must have provided tremendous enlightenment.

God wants His people to serve and honor Him alone and in the way He indicates. Any relationship that His people have with something He has created in order to give honor to it, which only He is entitled to, is sin. It is a denial of the special relationship He has with this people and the special work by which He has made them His own people. God had said that they would be His own people, and now that has become reality.

The last words of Deu 4:20, “as today”, sound like an exclamation that underlines the relationship of the people to God. It sounds like the exclamation “and we are” of John that immediately follows what he has spoken about the love that “the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God” (1 John 3:1a).

Deuteronomy 10:3

The Anger of the LORD

Before Moses continues to speak about the land to which they are on their way, he points for the third time to the anger of the LORD with him on their account (Deuteronomy 1:37; Deuteronomy 3:26). After what he has said about the danger of idolatry, he makes it clear that God’s consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:29) will destroy every form of idolatry. He says that God cannot allow in our lives anything that has been consumed on the cross by the fire of His judgment. Nothing of the old nature or the flesh may be introduced into the worship service, for God was angry with the Lord Jesus on account of that.

For the third time, this chapter (Deuteronomy 4:23) warns to watch out for something (Deuteronomy 4:23; Deuteronomy 4:9; 15). Here it is about not forgetting the covenant the LORD has made with them and the prohibition to make idols. The covenant specifies the status of the people in the special relationship in which God has placed the people to Himself. Idolatry is absolutely contrary to this and unacceptable. God cannot tolerate that. He is a jealous God, Who cannot possibly share the love of His people with others. He can’t bear it if His people don’t give all their love to Him alone. He has done everything for these people to expect their undivided love. He also has every right to punish any act of adultery of His beloved people.

Deuteronomy 10:4

The Anger of the LORD

Before Moses continues to speak about the land to which they are on their way, he points for the third time to the anger of the LORD with him on their account (Deuteronomy 1:37; Deuteronomy 3:26). After what he has said about the danger of idolatry, he makes it clear that God’s consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:29) will destroy every form of idolatry. He says that God cannot allow in our lives anything that has been consumed on the cross by the fire of His judgment. Nothing of the old nature or the flesh may be introduced into the worship service, for God was angry with the Lord Jesus on account of that.

For the third time, this chapter (Deuteronomy 4:23) warns to watch out for something (Deuteronomy 4:23; Deuteronomy 4:9; 15). Here it is about not forgetting the covenant the LORD has made with them and the prohibition to make idols. The covenant specifies the status of the people in the special relationship in which God has placed the people to Himself. Idolatry is absolutely contrary to this and unacceptable. God cannot tolerate that. He is a jealous God, Who cannot possibly share the love of His people with others. He can’t bear it if His people don’t give all their love to Him alone. He has done everything for these people to expect their undivided love. He also has every right to punish any act of adultery of His beloved people.

Deuteronomy 10:5

The Anger of the LORD

Before Moses continues to speak about the land to which they are on their way, he points for the third time to the anger of the LORD with him on their account (Deuteronomy 1:37; Deuteronomy 3:26). After what he has said about the danger of idolatry, he makes it clear that God’s consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:29) will destroy every form of idolatry. He says that God cannot allow in our lives anything that has been consumed on the cross by the fire of His judgment. Nothing of the old nature or the flesh may be introduced into the worship service, for God was angry with the Lord Jesus on account of that.

For the third time, this chapter (Deuteronomy 4:23) warns to watch out for something (Deuteronomy 4:23; Deuteronomy 4:9; 15). Here it is about not forgetting the covenant the LORD has made with them and the prohibition to make idols. The covenant specifies the status of the people in the special relationship in which God has placed the people to Himself. Idolatry is absolutely contrary to this and unacceptable. God cannot tolerate that. He is a jealous God, Who cannot possibly share the love of His people with others. He can’t bear it if His people don’t give all their love to Him alone. He has done everything for these people to expect their undivided love. He also has every right to punish any act of adultery of His beloved people.

Deuteronomy 10:6

The Anger of the LORD

Before Moses continues to speak about the land to which they are on their way, he points for the third time to the anger of the LORD with him on their account (Deuteronomy 1:37; Deuteronomy 3:26). After what he has said about the danger of idolatry, he makes it clear that God’s consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:29) will destroy every form of idolatry. He says that God cannot allow in our lives anything that has been consumed on the cross by the fire of His judgment. Nothing of the old nature or the flesh may be introduced into the worship service, for God was angry with the Lord Jesus on account of that.

For the third time, this chapter (Deuteronomy 4:23) warns to watch out for something (Deuteronomy 4:23; Deuteronomy 4:9; 15). Here it is about not forgetting the covenant the LORD has made with them and the prohibition to make idols. The covenant specifies the status of the people in the special relationship in which God has placed the people to Himself. Idolatry is absolutely contrary to this and unacceptable. God cannot tolerate that. He is a jealous God, Who cannot possibly share the love of His people with others. He can’t bear it if His people don’t give all their love to Him alone. He has done everything for these people to expect their undivided love. He also has every right to punish any act of adultery of His beloved people.

Deuteronomy 10:7

Consequences of Idolatry

Moses points out the consequences for children and grandchildren if the people fall into idolatry. Then follows a remarkable statement, in which Moses announces as a prophet, that the people will fail by committing idolatry. The result is that they will lose the land. They will die in it or be taken out. They want to serve the gods of other nations? Then so shall they find themselves in the lands of the idols they have brought into their own land (Judges 10:14).

In Christianity it has been the same. By introducing idolatry, connecting to the world and introducing worldly elements into the worship service, the view of heavenly blessings has been lost. Where “the work of man’s hands” takes over the guidance of God’s Spirit in the church, death enters.

Things in which there is no life, things “which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell”, are given a place in the service to God. Theological strongholds have taken over. Papers are asked for and not life. When diplomas become the basis for accessing a ministry to God, the blessings in Christ that are part of every born-again person are forgotten.

Deuteronomy 10:8

Consequences of Idolatry

Moses points out the consequences for children and grandchildren if the people fall into idolatry. Then follows a remarkable statement, in which Moses announces as a prophet, that the people will fail by committing idolatry. The result is that they will lose the land. They will die in it or be taken out. They want to serve the gods of other nations? Then so shall they find themselves in the lands of the idols they have brought into their own land (Judges 10:14).

In Christianity it has been the same. By introducing idolatry, connecting to the world and introducing worldly elements into the worship service, the view of heavenly blessings has been lost. Where “the work of man’s hands” takes over the guidance of God’s Spirit in the church, death enters.

Things in which there is no life, things “which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell”, are given a place in the service to God. Theological strongholds have taken over. Papers are asked for and not life. When diplomas become the basis for accessing a ministry to God, the blessings in Christ that are part of every born-again person are forgotten.

Deuteronomy 10:9

Consequences of Idolatry

Moses points out the consequences for children and grandchildren if the people fall into idolatry. Then follows a remarkable statement, in which Moses announces as a prophet, that the people will fail by committing idolatry. The result is that they will lose the land. They will die in it or be taken out. They want to serve the gods of other nations? Then so shall they find themselves in the lands of the idols they have brought into their own land (Judges 10:14).

In Christianity it has been the same. By introducing idolatry, connecting to the world and introducing worldly elements into the worship service, the view of heavenly blessings has been lost. Where “the work of man’s hands” takes over the guidance of God’s Spirit in the church, death enters.

Things in which there is no life, things “which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell”, are given a place in the service to God. Theological strongholds have taken over. Papers are asked for and not life. When diplomas become the basis for accessing a ministry to God, the blessings in Christ that are part of every born-again person are forgotten.

Deuteronomy 10:10

Consequences of Idolatry

Moses points out the consequences for children and grandchildren if the people fall into idolatry. Then follows a remarkable statement, in which Moses announces as a prophet, that the people will fail by committing idolatry. The result is that they will lose the land. They will die in it or be taken out. They want to serve the gods of other nations? Then so shall they find themselves in the lands of the idols they have brought into their own land (Judges 10:14).

In Christianity it has been the same. By introducing idolatry, connecting to the world and introducing worldly elements into the worship service, the view of heavenly blessings has been lost. Where “the work of man’s hands” takes over the guidance of God’s Spirit in the church, death enters.

Things in which there is no life, things “which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell”, are given a place in the service to God. Theological strongholds have taken over. Papers are asked for and not life. When diplomas become the basis for accessing a ministry to God, the blessings in Christ that are part of every born-again person are forgotten.

Deuteronomy 10:11

Repentance Brings the Promised Blessing

If the absence of spiritual, heavenly blessings is felt, it is the start of the way back to again enjoy the blessings (Luke 15:17). When repentance of this ‘work of man’s hands’, in whatever form it may have gained access to the church, takes place the promised blessing can still or again be enjoyed.

God’s grace brings restoration. This applies to Israel farther along in the future (Genesis 49:1). Undeservedly, God works in their hearts to repentance. It also applies to the final phase of Christianity in which we find ourselves. God also wants Christians to work out in their hearts now, those measures necessary for their return to the blessings of the land. This means that they will again have an eye for the heavenly place and vocation of the church. In Christianity, this truth has largely been lost through the church’s involvement in, and even interwovenness with, earthly things. Further still, by considering and presenting these earthly preoccupations as its very calling.

The fundamental truth of the letter to the Romans is that of righteousness based on faith alone. In the history of Christianity this truth was rediscovered, from beneath the dust, in the Reformation. In our personal lives, it may be necessary to rediscover this truth if in our Christian lives works become the basis through which we think we are accepted by God. With the influence of Roman Catholicism, this is indeed a matter worth paying careful attention to.

The truth of the letter to the Ephesians and the contents of the letters of John go beyond what is taught us in the letter to the Romans about justification. In these letters God unfolds to His children truths that have to do with heaven, with eternal life, with Christ in heaven, Who is the eternal life. This does not make for drifting Christians, but steadfast saints who know where and how to live true life, and who bear witness to this in their earthly relations.

The way to that blessing is opened by a compassionate God Who calls us to listen to Him. On His faithfulness we may count and call upon.

Deuteronomy 10:12

Repentance Brings the Promised Blessing

If the absence of spiritual, heavenly blessings is felt, it is the start of the way back to again enjoy the blessings (Luke 15:17). When repentance of this ‘work of man’s hands’, in whatever form it may have gained access to the church, takes place the promised blessing can still or again be enjoyed.

God’s grace brings restoration. This applies to Israel farther along in the future (Genesis 49:1). Undeservedly, God works in their hearts to repentance. It also applies to the final phase of Christianity in which we find ourselves. God also wants Christians to work out in their hearts now, those measures necessary for their return to the blessings of the land. This means that they will again have an eye for the heavenly place and vocation of the church. In Christianity, this truth has largely been lost through the church’s involvement in, and even interwovenness with, earthly things. Further still, by considering and presenting these earthly preoccupations as its very calling.

The fundamental truth of the letter to the Romans is that of righteousness based on faith alone. In the history of Christianity this truth was rediscovered, from beneath the dust, in the Reformation. In our personal lives, it may be necessary to rediscover this truth if in our Christian lives works become the basis through which we think we are accepted by God. With the influence of Roman Catholicism, this is indeed a matter worth paying careful attention to.

The truth of the letter to the Ephesians and the contents of the letters of John go beyond what is taught us in the letter to the Romans about justification. In these letters God unfolds to His children truths that have to do with heaven, with eternal life, with Christ in heaven, Who is the eternal life. This does not make for drifting Christians, but steadfast saints who know where and how to live true life, and who bear witness to this in their earthly relations.

The way to that blessing is opened by a compassionate God Who calls us to listen to Him. On His faithfulness we may count and call upon.

Deuteronomy 10:13

Repentance Brings the Promised Blessing

If the absence of spiritual, heavenly blessings is felt, it is the start of the way back to again enjoy the blessings (Luke 15:17). When repentance of this ‘work of man’s hands’, in whatever form it may have gained access to the church, takes place the promised blessing can still or again be enjoyed.

God’s grace brings restoration. This applies to Israel farther along in the future (Genesis 49:1). Undeservedly, God works in their hearts to repentance. It also applies to the final phase of Christianity in which we find ourselves. God also wants Christians to work out in their hearts now, those measures necessary for their return to the blessings of the land. This means that they will again have an eye for the heavenly place and vocation of the church. In Christianity, this truth has largely been lost through the church’s involvement in, and even interwovenness with, earthly things. Further still, by considering and presenting these earthly preoccupations as its very calling.

The fundamental truth of the letter to the Romans is that of righteousness based on faith alone. In the history of Christianity this truth was rediscovered, from beneath the dust, in the Reformation. In our personal lives, it may be necessary to rediscover this truth if in our Christian lives works become the basis through which we think we are accepted by God. With the influence of Roman Catholicism, this is indeed a matter worth paying careful attention to.

The truth of the letter to the Ephesians and the contents of the letters of John go beyond what is taught us in the letter to the Romans about justification. In these letters God unfolds to His children truths that have to do with heaven, with eternal life, with Christ in heaven, Who is the eternal life. This does not make for drifting Christians, but steadfast saints who know where and how to live true life, and who bear witness to this in their earthly relations.

The way to that blessing is opened by a compassionate God Who calls us to listen to Him. On His faithfulness we may count and call upon.

Deuteronomy 10:14

Reason for Obedience

Moses does not tire of reminding the people of what God has done for them. He invites them to do research in the past and across the breadth of the earth if something similar has ever happened. They should check whether the scope of the event and its content can be found elsewhere. Is it not of unsurpassable magnitude that a people are brought to the heart of God? Is it not an unsuspected happening that God speaks out of the fire and that those to whom He addresses Himself remain alive? Is not the way in which He has made this people His own people far above all human thought and comprehension? Surely such a thing can only come from the one, unique God Who cannot be compared to anyone (Deuteronomy 4:35; 39; Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 45:5a; 21b)? And that God is their God!

The reason God has made them His people is His love for their fathers, and that He has chosen their descendants. Therefore He is ever active for them. Everything has gone forth from Him and continues to go forth from Him. He is the only One in heaven and on earth. It is altogether folly, contempt and the height of ingratitude to honor anything or anyone other than Him. Only when they – and we – see Him like this in the immeasurable fullness of his love and grace, will the heart be humbled and broken to keep His statutes and His commandments.

Deuteronomy 10:15

Reason for Obedience

Moses does not tire of reminding the people of what God has done for them. He invites them to do research in the past and across the breadth of the earth if something similar has ever happened. They should check whether the scope of the event and its content can be found elsewhere. Is it not of unsurpassable magnitude that a people are brought to the heart of God? Is it not an unsuspected happening that God speaks out of the fire and that those to whom He addresses Himself remain alive? Is not the way in which He has made this people His own people far above all human thought and comprehension? Surely such a thing can only come from the one, unique God Who cannot be compared to anyone (Deuteronomy 4:35; 39; Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 45:5a; 21b)? And that God is their God!

The reason God has made them His people is His love for their fathers, and that He has chosen their descendants. Therefore He is ever active for them. Everything has gone forth from Him and continues to go forth from Him. He is the only One in heaven and on earth. It is altogether folly, contempt and the height of ingratitude to honor anything or anyone other than Him. Only when they – and we – see Him like this in the immeasurable fullness of his love and grace, will the heart be humbled and broken to keep His statutes and His commandments.

Deuteronomy 10:16

Reason for Obedience

Moses does not tire of reminding the people of what God has done for them. He invites them to do research in the past and across the breadth of the earth if something similar has ever happened. They should check whether the scope of the event and its content can be found elsewhere. Is it not of unsurpassable magnitude that a people are brought to the heart of God? Is it not an unsuspected happening that God speaks out of the fire and that those to whom He addresses Himself remain alive? Is not the way in which He has made this people His own people far above all human thought and comprehension? Surely such a thing can only come from the one, unique God Who cannot be compared to anyone (Deuteronomy 4:35; 39; Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 45:5a; 21b)? And that God is their God!

The reason God has made them His people is His love for their fathers, and that He has chosen their descendants. Therefore He is ever active for them. Everything has gone forth from Him and continues to go forth from Him. He is the only One in heaven and on earth. It is altogether folly, contempt and the height of ingratitude to honor anything or anyone other than Him. Only when they – and we – see Him like this in the immeasurable fullness of his love and grace, will the heart be humbled and broken to keep His statutes and His commandments.

Deuteronomy 10:17

Reason for Obedience

Moses does not tire of reminding the people of what God has done for them. He invites them to do research in the past and across the breadth of the earth if something similar has ever happened. They should check whether the scope of the event and its content can be found elsewhere. Is it not of unsurpassable magnitude that a people are brought to the heart of God? Is it not an unsuspected happening that God speaks out of the fire and that those to whom He addresses Himself remain alive? Is not the way in which He has made this people His own people far above all human thought and comprehension? Surely such a thing can only come from the one, unique God Who cannot be compared to anyone (Deuteronomy 4:35; 39; Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 45:5a; 21b)? And that God is their God!

The reason God has made them His people is His love for their fathers, and that He has chosen their descendants. Therefore He is ever active for them. Everything has gone forth from Him and continues to go forth from Him. He is the only One in heaven and on earth. It is altogether folly, contempt and the height of ingratitude to honor anything or anyone other than Him. Only when they – and we – see Him like this in the immeasurable fullness of his love and grace, will the heart be humbled and broken to keep His statutes and His commandments.

Deuteronomy 10:18

Reason for Obedience

Moses does not tire of reminding the people of what God has done for them. He invites them to do research in the past and across the breadth of the earth if something similar has ever happened. They should check whether the scope of the event and its content can be found elsewhere. Is it not of unsurpassable magnitude that a people are brought to the heart of God? Is it not an unsuspected happening that God speaks out of the fire and that those to whom He addresses Himself remain alive? Is not the way in which He has made this people His own people far above all human thought and comprehension? Surely such a thing can only come from the one, unique God Who cannot be compared to anyone (Deuteronomy 4:35; 39; Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 45:5a; 21b)? And that God is their God!

The reason God has made them His people is His love for their fathers, and that He has chosen their descendants. Therefore He is ever active for them. Everything has gone forth from Him and continues to go forth from Him. He is the only One in heaven and on earth. It is altogether folly, contempt and the height of ingratitude to honor anything or anyone other than Him. Only when they – and we – see Him like this in the immeasurable fullness of his love and grace, will the heart be humbled and broken to keep His statutes and His commandments.

Deuteronomy 10:19

Reason for Obedience

Moses does not tire of reminding the people of what God has done for them. He invites them to do research in the past and across the breadth of the earth if something similar has ever happened. They should check whether the scope of the event and its content can be found elsewhere. Is it not of unsurpassable magnitude that a people are brought to the heart of God? Is it not an unsuspected happening that God speaks out of the fire and that those to whom He addresses Himself remain alive? Is not the way in which He has made this people His own people far above all human thought and comprehension? Surely such a thing can only come from the one, unique God Who cannot be compared to anyone (Deuteronomy 4:35; 39; Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 45:5a; 21b)? And that God is their God!

The reason God has made them His people is His love for their fathers, and that He has chosen their descendants. Therefore He is ever active for them. Everything has gone forth from Him and continues to go forth from Him. He is the only One in heaven and on earth. It is altogether folly, contempt and the height of ingratitude to honor anything or anyone other than Him. Only when they – and we – see Him like this in the immeasurable fullness of his love and grace, will the heart be humbled and broken to keep His statutes and His commandments.

Deuteronomy 10:20

Reason for Obedience

Moses does not tire of reminding the people of what God has done for them. He invites them to do research in the past and across the breadth of the earth if something similar has ever happened. They should check whether the scope of the event and its content can be found elsewhere. Is it not of unsurpassable magnitude that a people are brought to the heart of God? Is it not an unsuspected happening that God speaks out of the fire and that those to whom He addresses Himself remain alive? Is not the way in which He has made this people His own people far above all human thought and comprehension? Surely such a thing can only come from the one, unique God Who cannot be compared to anyone (Deuteronomy 4:35; 39; Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 45:5a; 21b)? And that God is their God!

The reason God has made them His people is His love for their fathers, and that He has chosen their descendants. Therefore He is ever active for them. Everything has gone forth from Him and continues to go forth from Him. He is the only One in heaven and on earth. It is altogether folly, contempt and the height of ingratitude to honor anything or anyone other than Him. Only when they – and we – see Him like this in the immeasurable fullness of his love and grace, will the heart be humbled and broken to keep His statutes and His commandments.

Deuteronomy 10:21

Reason for Obedience

Moses does not tire of reminding the people of what God has done for them. He invites them to do research in the past and across the breadth of the earth if something similar has ever happened. They should check whether the scope of the event and its content can be found elsewhere. Is it not of unsurpassable magnitude that a people are brought to the heart of God? Is it not an unsuspected happening that God speaks out of the fire and that those to whom He addresses Himself remain alive? Is not the way in which He has made this people His own people far above all human thought and comprehension? Surely such a thing can only come from the one, unique God Who cannot be compared to anyone (Deuteronomy 4:35; 39; Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 45:5a; 21b)? And that God is their God!

The reason God has made them His people is His love for their fathers, and that He has chosen their descendants. Therefore He is ever active for them. Everything has gone forth from Him and continues to go forth from Him. He is the only One in heaven and on earth. It is altogether folly, contempt and the height of ingratitude to honor anything or anyone other than Him. Only when they – and we – see Him like this in the immeasurable fullness of his love and grace, will the heart be humbled and broken to keep His statutes and His commandments.

Deuteronomy 10:22

Reason for Obedience

Moses does not tire of reminding the people of what God has done for them. He invites them to do research in the past and across the breadth of the earth if something similar has ever happened. They should check whether the scope of the event and its content can be found elsewhere. Is it not of unsurpassable magnitude that a people are brought to the heart of God? Is it not an unsuspected happening that God speaks out of the fire and that those to whom He addresses Himself remain alive? Is not the way in which He has made this people His own people far above all human thought and comprehension? Surely such a thing can only come from the one, unique God Who cannot be compared to anyone (Deuteronomy 4:35; 39; Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 45:5a; 21b)? And that God is their God!

The reason God has made them His people is His love for their fathers, and that He has chosen their descendants. Therefore He is ever active for them. Everything has gone forth from Him and continues to go forth from Him. He is the only One in heaven and on earth. It is altogether folly, contempt and the height of ingratitude to honor anything or anyone other than Him. Only when they – and we – see Him like this in the immeasurable fullness of his love and grace, will the heart be humbled and broken to keep His statutes and His commandments.