We often refer to the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai. I was recently rereading them and the two verses preceding the Commandments caught my eye. Here they are:
Exodus 20:1-2 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
I noticed three principles revealed in these verses. Continue reading
A large portion of the Old Testament is devoted to the Law of Moses and its practice. However, we are told that the Law cannot make anyone righteous (justified) before God (Galatians 2:16). So, what was the purpose of giving the Law and practicing the aspects of it if that did not gain favor with God? Let’s look at what the Apostle Paul wrote on this subject. Continue reading
When the Lord brought the children of Israel to the Promised Land, Moses reminded them of their commitments to Him before they crossed over to inhabit the land. The Israelites had agreed to keep the Lord’s commandments and reaffirmed that promise.
Deuteronomy 5:27 Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it.
The Lord, Who knew their hearts, expressed His desire that they would indeed have a heart for Him to do all that they had committed.
Deuteronomy 5:29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
God knew that His way was best. His desire was that the Israelites experience the best He had to offer (“that it might be well with them”). The blessings they could experience would pass on to their posterity as well (“and with their children for ever”). However, He knew that their heart was not in the right place. As history shows, they would disobey Him and receive just recompense for their sin.
The same is true with us. God created life and He knows how life is best lived. Why do we not trust Him in this? God loves us as a parent loves his child. He wants the best for us, but like wayward children, we all to often refuse to give up our own selfish desires. We need to have a heart for God and obey Him. Then we can expect His blessing upon our lives.