And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, And now, O IsraelThis phrase serves as a direct address to the nation of Israel, emphasizing the immediacy and relevance of the message. The Hebrew word for "Israel" (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisra'el) means "God contends" or "one who struggles with God," reflecting the nation's identity and covenant relationship with God. Historically, Israel is at a pivotal moment, having been delivered from Egypt and now preparing to enter the Promised Land. This call to attention underscores the importance of the covenant and the responsibilities that come with it. what does the LORD your God ask of you
The phrase highlights a rhetorical question that invites introspection. The Hebrew word for "ask" (שָׁאַל, sha'al) implies a request or requirement, not a burdensome demand. It suggests a relationship where God, as a loving Father, seeks a willing response from His people. The use of "LORD your God" (יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, Yahweh Eloheikha) emphasizes the personal and covenantal nature of God’s relationship with Israel, reminding them of His sovereignty and faithfulness. but to fear the LORD your God
"Fear" (יָרֵא, yare') in this context is not about terror but reverence and awe. It involves recognizing God's holiness, power, and authority. This reverence is foundational to wisdom and obedience, as seen throughout Scripture (e.g., Proverbs 9:10). The fear of the LORD is a central theme in Deuteronomy, serving as the basis for a life of faithfulness and devotion. to walk in all His ways
"Walk" (הָלַךְ, halak) is a metaphor for living or conducting one's life. It implies a continuous, active engagement in following God's commandments. "All His ways" suggests completeness and totality, indicating that obedience to God is not selective but encompasses every aspect of life. This call to walk in God's ways is a call to holiness and reflects the covenantal stipulation of being set apart as God's people. to love Him
"Love" (אָהַב, ahav) in Hebrew conveys deep affection and commitment. It is not merely an emotional response but an active choice to prioritize God above all else. This love is reciprocal, as God has already demonstrated His love for Israel through deliverance and provision. Loving God is the greatest commandment, as reiterated by Jesus in the New Testament (Matthew 22:37). to serve the LORD your God
"Serve" (עָבַד, avad) implies worship and labor. It encompasses both religious devotion and practical obedience. Serving God is an expression of loyalty and gratitude, acknowledging His lordship and grace. This service is not burdensome but a joyful response to God's goodness and mercy. with all your heart and with all your soul
"Heart" (לֵבָב, levav) and "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh) together represent the entirety of a person's being—mind, will, emotions, and life force. The call to love and serve God with all one's heart and soul emphasizes total devotion and sincerity. It is a holistic commitment that leaves no room for divided loyalties. This comprehensive devotion is the essence of the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5), which is central to Jewish faith and practice. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe prophet and leader of Israel who delivered God's laws and commandments to the Israelites. 2. IsraelThe nation chosen by God, consisting of the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to whom the laws and commandments were given. 3. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who delivered them from Egypt and gave them the law through Moses. Teaching Points Fear of the LORDUnderstanding the biblical concept of "fear" as reverence and awe towards God, recognizing His holiness and authority. Walking in His WaysEmphasizing the importance of living a life that reflects God's character and commandments, not just in actions but in attitudes. Wholehearted Love and ServiceEncouraging believers to love and serve God with complete devotion, involving both heart and soul, which implies sincerity and depth in our relationship with Him. Covenant RelationshipRecognizing that these commands are part of a covenant relationship with God, where He is our God, and we are His people, called to live distinctively. Holistic WorshipUnderstanding that worship is not confined to rituals but is expressed through our daily lives as we align our actions and hearts with God's will. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of fearing the LORD in Deuteronomy 10:12 influence your daily decisions and actions? 2. In what ways can you "walk in all His ways" in your current life situation? Consider practical steps you can take. 3. Reflect on your love for God. How can you deepen your love and service to Him with all your heart and soul? 4. How does understanding the covenant relationship between God and Israel help you appreciate your relationship with God through Christ? 5. Compare Deuteronomy 10:12 with Jesus' teaching in Matthew 22:37-40. How do these passages together shape your understanding of the greatest commandments? Connections to Other Scriptures Micah 6:8This verse echoes the call to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, similar to the call in Deuteronomy 10:12 to walk in God's ways and serve Him wholeheartedly. Matthew 22:37-40Jesus summarizes the law with the greatest commandments, which include loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind, reflecting the essence of Deuteronomy 10:12. Ecclesiastes 12:13This verse concludes with the duty of man to fear God and keep His commandments, aligning with the call in Deuteronomy 10:12. People Aaron, Eleazar, Jaakanites, Jakan, Levi, MosesPlaces Beeroth Bene-jaakan, Beth-baal-peor, Egypt, Jotbathah, Moserah, SinaiTopics Asking, Except, Fear, Heart, Love, Loving, Pleasure, Require, Serve, Soul, Walk, WalkingDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 10:12 1349 covenant, at Sinai
5015 heart, and Holy Spirit
5197 walking
7021 church, OT anticipations
7160 servants of the Lord
8297 love, for God
8625 worship, acceptable attitudes
8627 worship, elements
8632 adoration Deuteronomy 10:12-13 4020 life, of faith
5376 law, purpose of
5504 rights
5763 attitudes, positive to God
8208 commitment, to God
8245 ethics, incentives
8251 faithfulness, to God
8315 orthodoxy, in OT
8336 reverence, and obedience
8345 servanthood, and worship
8409 decision-making, and providence Deuteronomy 10:12-20 1335 blessing Library Election and Holiness
Now, this morning it may be that some of you will not approve of what I have to say. You will remember, however, that I do not seek your approbation, that it will be sufficient for me if I have cleared my conscience concerning a grand truth and have preached the gospel faithfully. I am not accountable to you, nor you to me. You are accountable to God, if you reject a truth; I am accountable to Him if I preach an error. I am not afraid to stand before His bar with regard to the great doctrines which …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860Book iii. The Ascent: from the River Jordan to the Mount of Transfiguration.
{hebrew} In every passage of Scripture where thou findest the Majesty of God, thou also findest close by His Condescension (Humility). So it is written down in the Law [Deut. x. 17, followed by verse 18], repeated in the Prophets [Is. lvii. 15], and reiterated in the Hagiographa [Ps. lxviii. 4, followed by verse 5].' - Megill 31 a. …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah a survey of the third and closing discourse of the prophet
We shall now, in conclusion, give a survey of the third and closing discourse of the prophet. After an introduction in vi. 1, 2, where the mountains serve only to give greater solemnity to the scene (in the fundamental passages Deut. xxxii. 1, and in Is. 1, 2, "heaven and earth" are mentioned for the same purposes, inasmuch as they are the most venerable parts of creation; "contend with the mountains" by taking them in and applying to [Pg 522] them as hearers), the prophet reminds the people of …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Sanctification.
I. I will remind you of some points that have been settled in this course of study. 1. The true intent and meaning of the law of God has been, as I trust, ascertained in the lectures on moral government. Let this point if need be, be examined by reference to those lectures. 2. We have also seen, in those lectures, what is not, and what is implied in entire obedience to the moral law. 3. In those lectures, and also in the lectures on justification and repentance, it has been shown that nothing is …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology Parable of the Importunate Widow.
^C Luke XVIII. 1-8. ^c 1 And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2 saying, There was in a city a judge, who feared not God, and regarded not man [an utterly abandoned character]: 3 and there was a widow in that city; and she came oft unto him, saying, Avenge me of [rather, Do justice to me as to] mine adversary. [In Scripture language widowhood is symbolic of defenselessness (Ex. xxii. 22-24; Deut. x. 18; xxvii. 19; Mal. iii. 5; Mark xii. 40), …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Covenanting a Duty.
The exercise of Covenanting with God is enjoined by Him as the Supreme Moral Governor of all. That his Covenant should be acceded to, by men in every age and condition, is ordained as a law, sanctioned by his high authority,--recorded in his law of perpetual moral obligation on men, as a statute decreed by him, and in virtue of his underived sovereignty, promulgated by his command. "He hath commanded his covenant for ever."[171] The exercise is inculcated according to the will of God, as King and …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Thirtieth Lesson. An Holy Priesthood;'
An holy priesthood;' Or, The Ministry of Intercession. An holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.'--I Peter ii. 5. Ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord.'--Isaiah lxi. 6. THE Spirit of the Lord God is upon me: because the Lord hath anointed me.' These are the words of Jesus in Isaiah. As the fruit of His work all redeemed ones are priests, fellow-partakers with Him of His anointing with the Spirit as High Priest. Like the precious ointment upon …
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the Doubling it in the Maps is Well Done.
The readers of the eastern interpreters will observe, that Kadesh is rendered by all Rekam, or in a sound very near it. In the Chaldee, it is 'Rekam': in the Syriac, 'Rekem': in the Arabic, 'Rakim'... There are two places noted by the name Rekam in the very bounds of the land,--to wit, the southern and eastern: that is, a double Kadesh. I. Of Kadesh, or Rekam, in the south part, there is no doubt. II. Of it, in the eastern part, there is this mention: "From Rekam to the east, and Rekam is as the …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica An Appendix to the Beatitudes
His commandments are not grievous 1 John 5:3 You have seen what Christ calls for poverty of spirit, pureness of heart, meekness, mercifulness, cheerfulness in suffering persecution, etc. Now that none may hesitate or be troubled at these commands of Christ, I thought good (as a closure to the former discourse) to take off the surmises and prejudices in men's spirits by this sweet, mollifying Scripture, His commandments are not grievous.' The censuring world objects against religion that it is difficult …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry.
(Jerusalem, April 9, a.d. 27.) Subdivision B. Jesus Talks with Nicodemus. ^D John III. 1-21. ^d 1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. [Nicodemus is mentioned only by John. His character is marked by a prudence amounting almost to timidity. At John vii. 50-52 he defends Jesus, but without committing himself as in any way interested in him: at John xix. 38, 39 he brought spices for the body of Jesus, but only after Joseph of Arimathæa had secured the body. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel 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 10:12 NIVDeuteronomy 10:12 NLTDeuteronomy 10:12 ESVDeuteronomy 10:12 NASBDeuteronomy 10:12 KJV
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