PODCAST
Hearing & Keeping
July 8th, 2013
Deuteronomy 4:23-40
The people of God are set to enter the land God promised their forefathers. Although Moses will not be permitted to enter, he wants the people to enjoy a good, long life in the land. He wants them to avoid the tragedy that overcame the older generation through disbelief and disobedience. Moses centers his address on God’s decrees and commands. He begins with: “Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you” (4:1), and finishes with: “Keep his [God’s] decrees and commands, which I am giving you today” (4:40).
Why should Israel hear and keep God’s commands? Because the “LORD is God; beside him there is no other” (4:35). God had chosen them not on the basis of their merit but out of love and faithfulness to His promise. Hearing and keeping God’s word would be a clear way of showing that they were God’s people.
Our story as believers is strikingly similar. Through Christ and His atoning sacrifice, God has freed us from the bonds of sin. May we daily show our love and gratitude by hearing and keeping His word.
Author: Ronald Beech
