Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and stiffen your necks no more. CircumciseThe term "circumcise" in this context is metaphorical, derived from the Hebrew word "mûl," which traditionally refers to the physical act of circumcision. In ancient Israel, circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and His people, as established with Abraham ( Genesis 17:10-14). Here, however, it signifies a spiritual act, calling for the removal of spiritual impurity and the dedication of one's heart to God. This metaphorical use emphasizes the need for internal transformation and commitment to God's commandments, beyond mere external compliance. your hearts
The "heart" in Hebrew thought, represented by the word "lēb," is the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, emotions, and understanding. It is not merely the seat of emotions but the core of one's identity and decision-making. By calling for the circumcision of the heart, the verse underscores the necessity of a profound, internal change that aligns one's innermost self with God's will. This transformation is essential for true obedience and relationship with God, as it reflects a sincere devotion and love for Him. therefore
This word connects the command to circumcise the heart with the preceding verses, which recount God's mercy and faithfulness to Israel despite their rebellion. It serves as a logical conclusion, indicating that because of God's gracious acts and covenantal relationship, the Israelites are called to respond with heartfelt devotion and obedience. This highlights the reciprocal nature of the covenant, where God's faithfulness demands a response of loyalty and transformation from His people. and stiffen your necks no more
The phrase "stiffen your necks" is a vivid metaphor derived from the Hebrew "ʿārēp," which literally refers to a stubborn ox that resists the yoke. In biblical usage, it describes a rebellious and obstinate attitude towards God. By instructing the Israelites to "stiffen your necks no more," the verse calls for a cessation of their stubbornness and rebellion. It is an appeal for humility and submission to God's authority, recognizing His sovereignty and the need for a willing and obedient spirit. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's commandments and exhortations to the Israelites. 2. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, receiving the law and guidance from Moses as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. 3. Mount SinaiThe place where Moses received the Ten Commandments and where the covenant between God and Israel was reaffirmed. 4. Promised LandThe land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 5. Covenant RenewalThe event where Moses reiterates the law and calls the Israelites to renew their commitment to God. Teaching Points Spiritual Transformation Over RitualThe call to "circumcise your hearts" emphasizes the need for an internal change rather than mere external compliance. True faith is marked by a transformation of the heart. Humility and Obedience"Stiffen your necks no more" is a call to humility and submission to God's will. Stubbornness and pride are barriers to spiritual growth and obedience. Covenant RelationshipThe verse underscores the importance of maintaining a covenant relationship with God, characterized by love, obedience, and faithfulness. Repentance and RenewalThis passage invites believers to examine their hearts, repent of their sins, and renew their commitment to God, aligning their lives with His commandments. Heart-Centered FaithThe focus on the heart highlights the essence of true faith, which is not about outward appearances but about a sincere and devoted relationship with God. Bible Study Questions 1. What does it mean to "circumcise your hearts," and how can this be applied in our daily walk with God? 2. How does the concept of a "stiff neck" relate to our attitudes and behaviors today, and what steps can we take to cultivate humility? 3. In what ways does the call for heart transformation in Deuteronomy 10:16 connect with the New Testament teachings on spiritual renewal? 4. How can we ensure that our faith is heart-centered and not merely based on external rituals or traditions? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced a renewal of your commitment to God. What prompted this change, and how did it impact your relationship with Him? Connections to Other Scriptures Jeremiah 4:4This verse also calls for the circumcision of the heart, emphasizing a spiritual transformation rather than a mere physical ritual. Romans 2:29Paul speaks of a circumcision of the heart by the Spirit, highlighting the inward change required for true faith. Ezekiel 36:26God promises to give a new heart and spirit, removing the heart of stone and replacing it with a heart of flesh. Colossians 2:11Paul describes a spiritual circumcision performed by Christ, not by human hands, signifying the putting off of the sinful nature. People Aaron, Eleazar, Jaakanites, Jakan, Levi, MosesPlaces Beeroth Bene-jaakan, Beth-baal-peor, Egypt, Jotbathah, Moserah, SinaiTopics Circumcise, Circumcised, Circumcision, Foreskin, Harden, Heart, Hearts, Longer, Neck, Necked, Pride, Stiff, Stiffen, Stiffnecked, Stiff-necked, StubbornDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 10:16 5017 heart, renewal
7021 church, OT anticipations
7908 baptism, significance Deuteronomy 10:12-20 1335 blessing Deuteronomy 10:14-16 7336 circumcision, spiritual 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 10:16 NIVDeuteronomy 10:16 NLTDeuteronomy 10:16 ESVDeuteronomy 10:16 NASBDeuteronomy 10:16 KJV
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