LOVE/OBEY YAHWEH

What does God expect of His people?  As Micah said, “What does the LORD require?” (Mic. 6) 

Deuteronomy 10:12-22 

Remember, Deut is given to the 2^nd generation out of Egypt and slavery.  They are preparing to enter the Promised Land.  How would one keep from making the same mistakes their parents had made?  How would they receive the promises of God? 

In chapter 5, we found the Ten Commandments given to this generation—a reminder of what God required.  From chapter 12 on, we find many laws of obedience to God that are specific ways of applying the 10 Commands—ways of living them out. 

Here in chapter 10, what does God require:  (12-13) 

1. Fear the LORD your God—awe of Him, respect of Him

     2. Walk in all His ways—obedience 

3. Love Him—comes from the heart, not just the head 

     4. Serve Him—give of your time and talents for Him

 

5. Observe the Lord’s commands—obedience again 

Why should this be done?  (vv. 14-22) 

1. Your God owns everything—He is entitled to it (v. 14) 

2. God loves you and chose you above all others (v. 15) 

3. Because God is an almighty God who is not partial to some and prejudiced against others—He is just; He is fair  (v. 17) 

4. He chooses to help the oppressed—the weak and lowly—fatherless, widow, alien 

1. God provides for those who cannot provide for themselves (v. 18) 

5. He did amazing things on your behalf (vv. 21-22) 

1. Brought you out of slavery in Egypt 

2. Made a small group of people into a numerous people 

3. Followed through on His promise to your forefather, Abraham 

So out of gratitude to God: 

• Obey God from the heart—quit being disagreeable and complainers—complaining is showing your dissatisfaction with what God provides (v. 16)

 

• Love others who are left out—weak and lowly—for that’s what you were before God rescued you (v. 19) 

• Notice the word, “love” the alien—not just do it grudgingly—have the attitude of God toward them because this is His attitude toward you 

• Live your life for Him—“hold fast”—“fear Him and serve Him”—but do it out of genuine gratitude (v. 20) 

• Praise Him/worship Him alone (v. 21) 

Why should you do it?  What has God done for you?  Are you grateful? 

 

A good summary of this passage would be the ten commandments summarized in the two great commandments: 

• Love the LORD your God with all you are and have
• Love others as you love yourself 

How grateful are you?