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The Law of God was to be such a prominent part of Israel’s life that children would be provoked to curiosity about it. What would they have seen? A good deal of teaching and talking about the Law, as we have seen, plus a way of life characterized by love for God and neighbor. Peter anticipated that unbelievers, seeing the hope of glory lived out in a believer’s life, would ask a reason for it (1 Pet. 3.15), and this is similar, I think, to what’s in view here.
Children pay attention. They observe what parents do and hear what they say. Here is a call for parents and all adults to remember that their conduct and conversation impact the generation to come. Let us make sure that what our children are provoked to inquire about, based on what they see in us, is the holy and righteous and good Law of God, expressed in love for God and neighbors.
In responding to their children, parents must be careful to keep their understanding of the Law within the framework of grace. The people of Israel were slaves in Egypt; we were slaves to sin. God came to us in our need and, through a powerful deliverance, lifted us out of sin and death into newness of life through Jesus Christ. He redeemed us, as He did Israel, freely, by His grace. But He redeemed us unto good works (Eph. 2.8-10), even the good works of the Law (Matt. 5.17-19).
We would still be helpless and lost were it not for the Lord’s mighty deliverance. In gratitude for His saving mercy, we receive His Word and declare, “All that the Lord has spoken, we will do.” Gratitude to God is the first reason we obey His Law: We love Him in gratitude because He first loved us in redemption (1 Jn. 4.9).
T. M. Moore
The Law of God is the soil which, fertilized by the rest of God’s Word and watered by His Spirit, brings forth the fruit of Christian life. If you’d like to understand this process better, and how to make best use of the Law in your walk with and work for the Lord, order the book, The Ground for Christian Ethics, from our online store.
Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.