Then Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: "Keep all the commandments I am giving you today. Then Moses and the elders of IsraelThis phrase highlights the leadership structure of ancient Israel. Moses, as the primary leader and prophet, is accompanied by the elders, who represent the tribal leadership and wisdom of the community. The Hebrew word for "elders" is "זְקֵנִים" (zeqenim), which implies not only age but also authority and respect. This collective leadership underscores the importance of communal guidance and accountability in following God's laws. Historically, this reflects a society where decisions and commands are not made in isolation but through a council, ensuring that the directives are in line with the community's values and God's will. commanded the people
The act of commanding here is significant. The Hebrew root "צָוָה" (tsavah) means to give an order or charge. This is not a suggestion but a directive that carries the weight of divine authority. The use of "commanded" indicates the seriousness and non-negotiable nature of the instructions being given. In the context of Deuteronomy, this command is part of the covenant renewal process, where the people of Israel are reminded of their obligations to God as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Keep all the commandments
The word "keep" is translated from the Hebrew "שָׁמַר" (shamar), which means to guard, observe, or give heed. It implies an active, diligent, and careful attention to the commandments. This is not a passive observance but a vigilant and intentional practice. The phrase "all the commandments" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the law. It is not enough to follow some; the expectation is total obedience. This reflects the holistic nature of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where every aspect of life is to be lived in accordance with God's will. that I am giving you today
The immediacy of "today" underscores the urgency and relevance of the commandments. The phrase "I am giving" is a present continuous action, indicating that God's law is a living and active gift to His people. The Hebrew root "נָתַן" (natan) means to give, bestow, or grant, suggesting that the commandments are a divine gift meant for the benefit and guidance of the people. The use of "today" also serves as a reminder that God's word is always timely and applicable, calling for a response in the present moment. This reflects the ongoing nature of God's covenant with His people, which requires daily commitment and renewal. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and guide them through the wilderness. Moses is the primary lawgiver and mediator of God's covenant with Israel. 2. Elders of IsraelThese are the leaders or representatives of the various tribes of Israel. They assist Moses in governance and in communicating God's laws to the people. 3. The People of IsraelThe descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are the recipients of God's covenant and commandments. They are preparing to enter the Promised Land. 4. CommandmentsThe laws and instructions given by God through Moses, which the Israelites are to follow as part of their covenant relationship with God. 5. The Promised LandThe land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants. The Israelites are on the verge of entering this land as they receive these commandments. Teaching Points The Importance of ObedienceObedience to God's commandments is central to the covenant relationship between God and His people. It is a demonstration of faith and commitment to God's will. Role of LeadershipMoses and the elders exemplify godly leadership by guiding the people in understanding and applying God's laws. Leaders today are called to uphold and teach biblical truths. Community ResponsibilityThe command is given to the entire community, highlighting the collective responsibility of God's people to uphold His commandments. Preparation for God's PromisesAs the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land, obedience is crucial for receiving God's promises. Similarly, believers are called to live obediently as they await God's promises. Continuity of God's LawThe commandments given to Israel have enduring significance, pointing to the moral and ethical standards that God desires for His people. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the role of Moses and the elders in Deuteronomy 27:1 inform our understanding of spiritual leadership today? 2. In what ways can we, as a community of believers, support one another in keeping God's commandments? 3. How does the call to obedience in Deuteronomy 27:1 relate to Jesus' teachings in the New Testament? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure that we are not just hearers of the word, but doers, as encouraged in James 1:22-25? 5. How can reflecting on God's promises motivate us to live obediently in our daily lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 19:5-6This passage establishes the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God calls them to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, contingent on their obedience to His commandments. Joshua 1:7-8Joshua is instructed to be strong and courageous, keeping the law given by Moses, which echoes the command to obey all the commandments. Psalm 119:1-2This psalm emphasizes the blessings of walking in the law of the Lord and seeking Him with all one's heart, reinforcing the importance of obedience. Matthew 5:17-19Jesus speaks about the fulfillment of the law, affirming its importance and continuity, which connects to the call for obedience in Deuteronomy. James 1:22-25This passage encourages believers to be doers of the word, not just hearers, which aligns with the command to keep all the commandments. People Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Gad, Issachar, Joseph, Levi, Levites, Moses, Naphtali, Reuben, Simeon, ZebulunPlaces Beth-baal-peor, Jordan River, Mount Ebal, Mount GerizimTopics Charged, Command, Commanded, Commandeth, Commanding, Commandment, Commandments, Commands, Elders, Orders, Responsible, Saying, To-dayDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 27:1-8 4366 stones Deuteronomy 27:1-26 7797 teaching Library Obedience
Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments.' Deut 27: 9, 10. What is the duty which God requireth of man? Obedience to his revealed will. It is not enough to hear God's voice, but we must obey. Obedience is a part of the honour we owe to God. If then I be a Father, where is my honour?' Mal 1: 6. Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion. Obey the voice of the Lord …
Thomas Watson—The Ten CommandmentsIn Judæa and through Samaria - a Sketch of Samaritan History and Theology - Jews and Samaritans.
We have no means of determining how long Jesus may have tarried in Jerusalem after the events recorded in the previous two chapters. The Evangelic narrative [1850] only marks an indefinite period of time, which, as we judge from internal probability, cannot have been protracted. From the city He retired with His disciples to the country,' which formed the province of Judæa. There He taught and His disciples baptized. [1851] [1852] From what had been so lately witnessed in Jerusalem, as well …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah How Christ is Made Use of for Justification as a Way.
What Christ hath done to purchase, procure, and bring about our justification before God, is mentioned already, viz. That he stood in the room of sinners, engaging for them as their cautioner, undertaking, and at length paying down the ransom; becoming sin, or a sacrifice for sin, and a curse for them, and so laying down his life a ransom to satisfy divine justice; and this he hath made known in the gospel, calling sinners to an accepting of him as their only Mediator, and to a resting upon him for …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life Gilgal, in Deuteronomy 11:30 what the Place Was.
That which is said by Moses, that "Gerizim and Ebal were over-against Gilgal," Deuteronomy 11:30, is so obscure, that it is rendered into contrary significations by interpreters. Some take it in that sense, as if it were near to Gilgal: some far off from Gilgal: the Targumists read, "before Gilgal": while, as I think, they do not touch the difficulty; which lies not so much in the signification of the word Mul, as in the ambiguity of the word Gilgal. These do all seem to understand that Gilgal which …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
"If any one wishes to be rich, let him go north; if he wants to be wise, let him come south." Such was the saying, by which Rabbinical pride distinguished between the material wealth of Galilee and the supremacy in traditional lore claimed for the academies of Judaea proper. Alas, it was not long before Judaea lost even this doubtful distinction, and its colleges wandered northwards, ending at last by the Lake of Gennesaret, and in that very city of Tiberias which at one time had been reputed unclean! …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Meditations of the Misery of a Man not Reconciled to God in Christ.
O wretched Man! where shall I begin to describe thine endless misery, who art condemned as soon as conceived; and adjudged to eternal death, before thou wast born to a temporal life? A beginning indeed, I find, but no end of thy miseries. For when Adam and Eve, being created after God's own image, and placed in Paradise, that they and their posterity might live in a blessed state of life immortal, having dominion over all earthly creatures, and only restrained from the fruit of one tree, as a sign …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and Pharisees.
(in the Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXIII. 1-39; ^B Mark XII. 38-40; ^C Luke XX. 45-47. ^a 1 Then spake Jesus ^b 38 And in his teaching ^c in the hearing of all the people he said unto ^a the multitudes, and to his disciples [he spoke in the most public manner], 2 saying, ^c 46 Beware of the scribes, ^a The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat: 3 all things whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, no Bar to Communion: Or, to Communicate with Saints, as Saints, Proved Lawful.
IN ANSWER TO A BOOK WRITTEN BY THE BAPTISTS, AND PUBLISHED BY MR. T. PAUL AND MR. W. KIFFIN, ENTITLED, 'SOME SERIOUS REFLECTIONS ON THAT PART OF MR BUNYAN'S CONFESSION OF FAITH, TOUCHING CHURCH COMMUNION WITH UNBAPTIZED BELIEVERS.' WHEREIN THEIR OBJECTIONS AND ARGUMENTS ARE ANSWERED, AND THE DOCTRINE OF COMMUNION STILL ASSERTED AND VINDICATED. HERE IS ALSO MR. HENRY JESSE'S JUDGMENT IN THE CASE, FULLY DECLARING THE DOCTRINE I HAVE ASSERTED. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'Should not the multitude of words be answered? …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Deuteronomy 27:1 NIVDeuteronomy 27:1 NLTDeuteronomy 27:1 ESVDeuteronomy 27:1 NASBDeuteronomy 27:1 KJV
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