What does commandment mean?
There are many different definitions of commandments. Some dictionaries describe it as a strict rule to be observed, others, as a divine rule that must be obeyed. These are all true but a simple way of viewing God’s commandments is that it is the word of God. His voice, what he tells us to do, his instructions to us. And because he is our God (assuming you are a believer in Christ), what he commands us to do because he is divine.
My quiet time today is from the book of Deuteronomy 7. I started reading and in no time I was completely immersed and blown away. I am here to share as much of it as I can. The book opens up with God telling the Israelites or should I say reassuring them of his commitment to bless them if they would listen and obey his commandments. We will go over the parts or the portions that struck me the most.
In Deuteronomy 7:1-3 God is telling them of his commitment to take them to the promised land and what they are to do when they get there. He tells them not to make any treaty with the seven nations he will drive out for the Israelites to take possession of the land. He tells them not to intermarry or form any alliance with them but to utterly destroy them. Quite a tough stand God is taking, you might wonder. But he tells them they should do this because they are a holy people chosen by God. In personalizing this to myself, I understand that because I am a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus, God has called me. Part of God calling me requires him to sanctify me (great link to sanctification). So that I can be used the way he wants to.
This means God needs to do a work of removing things in me that I got from my former sinful nature (sanctification). So, I need to listen to him and not ally with things of my former life. It also means that I must NOT be unequally yoked with unbelievers, associations that will not honor God. The reason for this is simple, if I do, then I risk turning away from God, the source of life. If I form ungodly associations and alliances, it will become a snare and a trap Satan can use to turn my heart away from God. I will become ensnared and turn away from the ways of God.
If you then tell yourself that why must I listen to God particularly if you love to do some of the things he wants you to renounce, he reminds them (me,us) in Deuteronomy 7:7 that, they did not call themselves (John 15:16). Meaning we need to obey him because he is God and primarily because he loves us. He tells them that he did not choose them (you can personalize it) because of their might, but because he loves them (me – John 3:16) and because of the promise he made to their ancestors (Abraham) Deuteronomy 7:8; Isaiah 51:1-5. As believers, the promise of salvation was given to Abraham, when God called him and chose him to be the father of many nations.
This shows that God keeps his word, Deuteronomy 7:9 and is dependable and trustworthy. The bible says that God honors his holy word even more than his name Psalm 138: 2. In turn he honors it even to a thousand generations for those who love and obey him. But those who reject his call, he will punish or punishes (Please do not reject the call of the Lord). Any promise God has made to us, we can be sure that he will keep it. Might not be the way we think it will be but he knows how and when to fulfill it. Also, if you are thinking God probably chose me because of something mighty special that you have, then know that God loves every living person on the planet, yes, but not all of us are chosen. There are some that have been called that are more beautiful or even talented than us but they refused to listen to the voice of God when he called so they were not chosen.
In Deuteronomy 7:13 He tells them that even though he has called them and chosen them because they responded to him, he will bless them if they listen and obey his commandments. That is what he commands (tells) them to do. He lists a whole lot of blessings (land, family, fertility, a job, marriage, finances, the list is endless) that will help them prosper if they listen and obey. God’s faithfulness is unquestionable because he delivers. When he gives you a word, his promise and you believe and obey him, and plant the word in your heart, it always yields a multiple harvest. Doesn’t come when we want it to sometimes, but God comes at the right time and is never late. Any time he shows up is the right time. Even when we want to take matters into our own hands, we should trust him to do the best or judge best for us.
In Deuteronomy 7:16, God still reiterates that the Israelites are to destroy all the nations he hands over to them. He calls them by their names. My understanding of this is that when God chooses us and we come to him, he prunes us. He does this by pointing out areas of our lives that need to be destroyed or cut off so we can worship him the way we need to. In verse 16, it says, “show them no mercy”, this means we need to genuinely let go of areas that do not please God in our lives. Some of these areas I liken to the idols described in these verses. They could be those things we have set as idols above God in our lives. God alone should be esteemed in our lives. This also refers to sin. Anything that construes sin in our lives should be removed and utterly destroyed, if not it will destroy us.
Deuteronomy 7:17, talks about conquering the nations. God tells them to completely conquer all the nations that he will give them by subduing them. He tells them not to be afraid but to be confident in him. In my own understanding, this refers to some challenging situations we encounter in our lives as believers in Christ. If we are seeking God and following his commandments, then God promises to fight our battles for us divinely (I have witnessed this too many times in my life). He encourages us not to be afraid as he can save us from the worst and most daunting situations. We may need to draw strength by recounting times God has given us victory in the past (I know I do).
Deuteronomy 7:22-23 talks about his awesomeness and his greatness. If we can believe, God is indeed great. He commands his people not to be afraid that he will give them victory over the nations and he will do it in a way that they will not be overwhelmed. I understand this to mean some of the “small”steps we may have to take along the way in our walk and trust in God.
In Deuteronomy 7: 25-26, still reiterates God’s stand on idols. My own understanding is that when God calls us into salvation we are to turn away from sin so that we are not ensnared by sin and drawn back to our old ways and under the curse of sin again. To enjoy the full benefit of salvation, it is essential for us to listen to the voice of God and obey him. If he tells us not be involved with someone, then we should not. If he tells us to give, then we should. Whenever we find it hard and challenging we should ask for his help because it is by his grace that we stand not by our own strength.
A rather lengthy post today 😊. I guess some days are like this. Let me close by inviting you the reader to accept the call of God today, that is if you are yet to answer, please do so. The good news is that God loves you, yes, you so much that he sent his son Jesus Christ to come and die for you to reconcile you back to him. Before salvation, we are all separated from God and doing things our own way. You will admit that being the master of your life while it sounds like fun because you get to call the shorts, alienates you from God. God wants you to choose to be reconciled back to him, so that you can spend eternity with him and not in hell. If you hear his gentle whisper today, do not turn away and be destroyed but respond and be chosen so you can be saved.
Please say this prayer, “Dear God, forgive me for my sins, I accept you into my life. Please come and be my Lord and savior, in Jesus’s name, amen”. That’s it, if you say that prayer sincerely from your heart, God hears you he will give you a new heart and you will become born again and grafted into the family of God. Please send me a message and I will pray for you. I love you and God bless.