“Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me, and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!” Deuteronomy 5:29
For many years now, Deuteronomy 4-6 has been one of my favorite sections of the Bible, much like the Sermon on the Mount is in the New Testament. From the beginning of Chapter 4, to the end of Chapter 6, it is Sublime! They are filled with Strong Admonishments, Reminders, and Instructions. Several times, Moses uses strong descriptive language like, Give Heed, Keep Diligently, Watch Carefully, Beware, Watch Yourselves, Take to Heart, and Diligently Keep. And then sandwiched between them is a reiteration of the 10 Commandments. This is no Accident. Once again, like He did in describing the Tabernacle with the Ark in the Center, God emphasizes how Important these Two Tablets need to be viewed!
And so from Today’s Reading in Chapter 5, Moses gathers all Israel together and rehearses to them how God gave them the 10 Commandments. How when they saw the Mountain on fire, and heard God’s Voice declaring them, they pleaded with Moses, for “him” to speak to them, and not God. Today’s Verse is God’s reaction! This is God’s Heart! Here, let me repeat it with some emphasis: “OH, that they had “Such a Heart” in them”; “OH, that They would FEAR Me”; “OH, that they would KEEP All My Commandments Always”!!! For His People then, and for His People now, God’s Heart has not changed. His desire for Holiness among those that name His Name is the same!
Then consider the Promise at the end; “that it may be well with them and with their sons forever”. What is more precious than our Children? What would we do, or not do, that their Welfare would be our chiefest aim? Here then, is “how” we achieve that End; by Fearing God and Keeping His Commandments! It is Simple, but Profound. It seems doable, but left to ourselves,…Impossible! Like I mentioned yesterday, this is where the Genius of the New Covenant comes in – A Changed Heart! And coupled with that, the Grace of God. With those 2 at work, we will succeed!