One of the best reasons to read Deuteronomy is found in the next two verses of chapter 10.
“So now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? Only to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul
And to keep the commandments of the Lord and his decrees that I am commanding you today, for your own well-being” (Deuteronomy 10:12-13).
It’s good to take a moment to think about each of God’s requirements. The fear of the Lord originates from a humble relationship with God, where we listen to Him and obey His commands.
We will walk in His ways as an expression of the fear of the Lord. Loving God means choosing Him above everything else and serving Him with all we have.
God’s Love and Choice
I’ve often seen love as a feeling, which I find problematic. Trying to “work up” a feeling of love for God has been difficult for me.
While studying this passage in a commentary, the author explained that love here is best understood as a choice. God loves us and chooses us, and we choose Him above all other gods. To choose God above all is something that is more within my reach than trying to “feel” loving.
“Although heaven and the heaven of heavens belong to the Lord your God, the earth with all that is in it, yet the Lord set his heart in love on your ancestors alone and chose you, their descendants after them, out of all the peoples, as it is today.
Circumcise, then, the foreskin of your heart, and do not be stubborn any longer” (Deuteronomy 10:14-16).
In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus taught that the law starts within. Moses mentioned this when he told people to circumcise their hearts. Their covenant with God should begin inside, not just be part of outward actions.
Like the God You Serve
When talking about idols, I often say we become like the gods we serve.
In America, if you worship money, you might end up treating your workers badly or even worse. The same applies to other idols in our world, like power, prestige, etc.
Followers of God are called upon to emulate His character.
“For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing.
You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
You shall fear the Lord your God; him you shall serve; to him you shall hold fast; and by his name you shall swear.
He is your praise; he is your God who has done for you these great and awesome things that your own eyes have seen” (Deuteronomy 10:17-21).
God is fair and doesn’t accept bribes. In the Old Testament, taking a bribe is seen as one of the worst actions because it denies justice to the most vulnerable people. Instead of accepting bribes, God does what is right for orphans, widows, and strangers in the land. He cares for them and ensures they receive justice.
This passage reflects how we live with the Lord, showing our respect for Him. We serve Him, listen to Him, stay humble before Him, and make Him our praise.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 