The verb, “do” (“observe”), conveys an important aspect of the practical focus of God’s Law. This is the most common verb in the Hebrew language for describing intentional action. It is used of God and people alike. “Do” involves a disposition of the heart, a focus of thought, and a determination of will. What we are in our inner person, therefore, will affect not only whatwe do but howwe do it. God’s intention is that both our being and “doing” should be informed and directed by His Law.

This is the most common action verb associated with obedience to God’s Law. It appears in many places in the book of Deuteronomy in relation to the Law – 6.1-3, 6.24, 25, 31.12, 32.46, and so forth. God’s people were to learn the Law with such thoroughness that it formed them heart, mind, and conscience for obedience in every area of life. Whatever the people of Israel did during the course of a normal day – whatever they desired, planned, or willed to do – was to be shaped by the Law and expressive of love for God and love for neighbor. This being so, we can understand the importance the psalmist placed on meditating in God’s Law day and night (all the time – Ps. 1).

This verb is reinforced in our text by another, meaning “to guard” (“be careful”). Hence God doubly emphasizes that doing what He commands, and doing it carefully and thoroughly, is what life as He intends it requires.

If you took five minutes right now to think back on everything you have done thus far today, how confident would you be that all of it was done according to the Law of God? God intended His people to be so steeped in His Law, and to delight in it so thoroughly, that no aspect of their life would be unaffected by the Law’s plain teaching.

This must be the goal of our relationship with God as well – so to know, love, and prefer His Law that its holy and righteous and good teaching (Rom. 7.12) will be expressed in everything we might say or do.

T. M. Moore

The book of Ecclesiastes is a crucial resource for understanding the Biblical worldview against the backdrop of our secular age. Follow T. M.’s studies in Ecclesiastes by downloading the free, weekly studies available in our Scriptorium Resources page at The Fellowship of Ailbe. Click hereto see the weekly studies available thus far.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.