Scripture
10 Obey the Lord your God and follow his commands and decrees that I give you today.”
Reflection
It seems easy enough to obey His commands and decrees especially when you read them as listed below in the following verses 14-26:
14 The Levites shall recite to all the people of Israel in a loud voice:
15 “Cursed is anyone who makes an idol—a thing detestable to the Lord, the work of skilled hands—and sets it up in secret.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
16 “Cursed is anyone who dishonors their father or mother.” …
17 “Cursed is anyone who moves their neighbor’s boundary stone.” …
18 “Cursed is anyone who leads the blind astray on the road.” …
19 “Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow.” …
20 “Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his father’s wife, for he dishonors his father’s bed.” …
21 “Cursed is anyone who has sexual relations with any animal.” …
22 “Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.” …
23 “Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his mother-in-law.” …
24 “Cursed is anyone who kills their neighbor secretly.” …
25 “Cursed is anyone who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.” …
26 “Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out.” …
At first you read this list of commands and feel relieved that you are none of these. A little bit later, somewhere down the list, you start to think, “Why do we even have such laws and commands?” And then finally it dawns on you… Oh wow… the heart of man is so corrupt, evil and disgusting that God needed to remind them that these are bad things?!?! These are the actions that our hearts are capable of leading us towards. This is how far man is willing to go in disobedience to God and in perversion of God’s initial plan and intent for the world. Then you finally begin to understand the Psalmist when he writes, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.” (Ps. 111:10)
Thoughts for the day
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus?
- What does this passage tell you about humanity?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- How can you apply this message in an area of your life that needs transformation?
- Is there anyone you think should hear or will benefit from this message? Go and tell them.
Prayer
Pray for wisdom, healing and peace across your home country.
