Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8400 The tasks of the believer  »  8403 commands  »  8404 commands, in OT

The OT sets out the commands of God to his people Israel, indicating both their extent and their importance.

The reason for God's commands: the need to be holy

Leviticus 11:44-45 See also Leviticus 19:2; Leviticus 20:7-8,26; Leviticus 21:8

God's commands to Israel

Deuteronomy 5:31-33 See also Exodus 16:23-24; Exodus 17:1; Exodus 25:22; Exodus 34:32; Numbers 9:18-20; Deuteronomy 15:11 The LORD commands generosity and kindness to the poor; Deuteronomy 15:15; Deuteronomy 24:17-18,21-22; 2 Chronicles 29:25-26; Nehemiah 8:1; Nehemiah 9:13-14

Demands made by God upon individuals

Genesis 2:16-17 Adam; Genesis 7:16 Noah; Genesis 21:4 Abraham

Aaron:

Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 33:38 Numbers 24:13 Baalam

Joshua:

Deuteronomy 31:23; Joshua 4:16-17 2 Samuel 5:25 King David; 1 Kings 3:14 King Solomon; 1 Kings 18:36 Elijah

Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 1:7; Jeremiah 26:2 Ezekiel 37:9-10 Ezekiel

God's commands to non-human agencies

The universe

Psalm 33:6-9; Psalm 148:4-6

The living creation

2 Chronicles 7:13; Job 39:27; Amos 9:3; Jonah 2:10

The non-living creation

Job 37:11-12; Psalm 78:23-24; Isaiah 5:6; Jeremiah 31:35

The angels

Psalm 91:11; Psalm 103:20

The sword, symbolising the judgment of God

Jeremiah 47:6-7; Amos 9:4

Commands of the leaders of God's people

Deuteronomy 31:24-26 Moses; Joshua 1:16-18 Joshua; 1 Kings 18:40 Elijah; Nehemiah 13:22 Nehemiah

Commands given by kings

Over Israel and Judah

1 Kings 2:46; 1 Chronicles 28:20-21; 2 Chronicles 14:4

Over heathen nations

Genesis 12:20; Exodus 1:22; Ezra 4:3; Esther 1:12,15; Esther 2:8; Esther 3:2,13; Daniel 3:20-22; Daniel 5:29

Parental commands

Deuteronomy 32:44-46; Proverbs 3:1; Proverbs 6:20; Proverbs 7:1-2

The nature of God's commands

Psalm 19:7-10 See also 1 Chronicles 16:15; Psalm 119:86,96,151,172

God's commands are to be loved

Psalm 119:47-48 See also 1 Kings 8:61; 1 Chronicles 29:19; Job 23:12; Psalm 112:1; Psalm 119:16,35,127-128,131,143

God's commands are to be obeyed

God commands obedience

Ecclesiastes 12:13 See also Deuteronomy 4:2; Deuteronomy 26:16-18; Joshua 22:5; Jeremiah 7:22-23

Warnings against and examples of disobedience

2 Kings 17:13-14 See also 1 Samuel 13:13-14; 1 Kings 11:10-11; Lamentations 1:18; Daniel 9:4-6

The consequences of obedience

Deuteronomy 6:1-3 See also Genesis 26:4-5; Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 4:1; Deuteronomy 8:1; 1 Kings 11:38

The consequences of disobedience

1 Samuel 12:14-15 See also Deuteronomy 11:26-28; Deuteronomy 30:1-3; 1 Kings 9:4-9; Nehemiah 1:7-9; Jeremiah 22:4-5

See also

1065  God, holiness of
5375  law
5377  law, Ten Commandments
8453  obedience
8718  disobedience