He tells us plainly. Are we listening? Deuteronomy 10.12, 13
Blessing and Curse: Deuteronomy 10, 11 (2)
Opening Prayer: Psalm 132.13-18
For the LORD has chosen Zion;
He has desired it for His dwelling place:
“This is My resting place forever;
Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
I will abundantly bless her provision;
I will satisfy her poor with bread.
I will also clothe her priests with salvation,
And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
There I will make the horn of David grow;
I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed.
His enemies I will clothe with shame,
But upon Himself His crown shall flourish.”
Psalm 132.13-18
(Finlandia: Be Still My Soul)
God dwells among us, and He will forever,
to meet our needs and clothe us with His grace.
He has to us sent Jesus Christ, our Savior,
and made us His eternal resting-place.
His foes are banished from His Presence ever,
but we shall reign with Him before His face.
Today’s Text: Deuteronomy 10.12, 13
Preparation
1. What does God require of us?
2. What does He promise?
Mediation
Moses here provided a concise summary of God’s requirements for His people. The order of the verbs is important. First, God requires His people to fear Him. We’ve seen that there are plenty of good reasons for this: He is almighty. He hates wickedness. He punishes rebellion. No one can stand before His anger. The sense of fear intended here is more than just reverence or awe. We are to fear God because we know Him; and we know ourselves and what we deserve from Him.
Fearing God as we should, we “walk in all His ways” (v. 12). His ways mark out the path of holiness, blessing, and love. As we walk in His ways, we show that we love Him, and we actually grow in our love for Him through obedience.
Thus fearing God, walking in His ways, and increasing in love, we will be prepared to serve God, whatever He may require of us. And we will do so from the inside-out, wholeheartedly, with all our soul and strength.
We must keep His commandments and statutes (v. 13). God has given these to us for our good, that we might know His blessings, and be a blessing to the people around us. The Law of God is good, Paul reminds us (Rom. 7.12); therefore, as we keep His commandments and statutes, we should expect to increase in the goodness of the Lord, and to have more of that goodness to share with the people around us.
Fear, walk, love, serve, keep His Law: These are not just suggestions. God requires this of us His people, that we may be holy and a means whereby His goodness comes to the world.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162.
All of us like to be shown love in ways that register love in us. It is incumbent upon us to show love to others in a way that registers love in them. The giver of love doesn’t get to decide or determine the means of love, or what we think might be best. For love to be effective, we must joyously provide love as others require. God has clearly told us how to show our love for Him. We don’t get to decide or choose otherwise. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (Jn. 14.15). The prophet Samuel asked King Saul why he didn’t obey God precisely, and his excuse was, “But the people…” did thus and so, and so I really could not do what I was supposed to do. So Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice…” (1 Sam. 15.19-22). God has not left us guessing as to how to show Him love. He gave us Ten Clear Ways to get us started!
Reflection
1. How do the fear of God and love for God work together in our relationship with Him?
2. Moses keeps emphasizing the importance of keeping the commandments. How does doing so relate to our walk with and work for the Lord?
3. Why is obeying God better than doing whatever we might think will show Him love?
Therefore he sets before us at the same time the fear and the love of God; for, inasmuch as God is the Lord, He justly desires to be feared in right of His dominion; and, inasmuch as He is our Father, He requires to be loved, as it is said in Malachi 1:6. Let us learn, therefore, if we would set ourselves about keeping the Law, that we must begin with the fear of God, which is hence called the “beginning of wisdom.” John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Deuteronomy 10.12
Lord, help me to walk in obedience today, that I might grow in love for You and…
Closing Prayer: Psalm 132.1-12
Pray that God would make you a living sacrifice for His service and glory in all you do today (Rom. 12.1, 2). Seek His Presence to be with you in all things.
Psalm 132.1-12
(Finlandia: Be Still My Soul)
Remember, Lord, we pray, in David’s favor,
the hardships he endured, the oath he swore,
the vow he made to Jacob’s mighty Savior:
“I shall not enter through my palace door;
I shall not sleep, nor slumber my eyes favor,
until I make a dwelling for the Lord!”
The word throughout the chosen nation spread,
to Ephrata, and in the fields of Jaar:
“Now let us go,” the faithful people said,
“and worship where our Savior’s dwellings are!
Around His footstool let our worship spread;
come, gather to Him, all from near and far!”
Arise, O Lord, come to Your resting place;
Your holy Presence meet with us in might.
Clothe us with righteousness in Jesus’ grace,
and we will shout to Your divine delight!
For David’s sake, turn not away Your face,
but look upon us in Your holy light.
Remember, Lord, the oath You swore to David;
do not turn back, do not deny Your Word:
“One of your sons, with your throne I will favor,
and He shall keep My cov’nant evermore,
and walk within My testimonies ever,
thus He shall ever rule as Israel’s Lord.”
T. M. and Susie Moore
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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All quotations from Church Fathers from Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy: Ancient Christian Commentary Series III, Joseph T. Lienhard, S. J. ed. in collaboration with Ronnie J. Rombs, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2001). All quotations from John Calvin from John Calvin, Commentaries on The Four Last Books of Moses Arranged in the Order of A Harmony, Rev. Charles William Bingham M. A., tr. and ed. (Edinburgh: The Calvin Translation Society, 1863. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).
