Read Deuteronomy 26:16–19
Questions from the Scripture text: To what time does Moses refer in Deuteronomy 26:16? Who commands whom to do what? Therefore, in what manner must they obey? When had the people proclaimed what about Whom in Deuteronomy 26:17? What did they proclaim that they would do? Who proclaimed what about whom in Deuteronomy 26:18? Who had promised this? What would they do as this treasured people? For what three purposes would He do what (Deuteronomy 26:19)? And for what fourth purpose?
What is it to be in covenant with God? Deuteronomy 26:16–19 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God, and His covenant people, proclaim their treasuring one another by His giving them His law and their keeping it.
Throughout the section covering the ten commandments, the focus has been on the future, when they come into the land that YHWH their God is giving them. Now that Moses has finished that exposition, God’s prophet demands a response from the hearers in front of him in that place, at that time: “This day” (v16), “Today” (v17), “today” (v18).
When God’s Word addresses you about what He demands of you, or promises you, for the future, it requires a response to Him and His Word right at that time.
The Lord has initiated this covenant relationship, this special bond, that He has forged, joining Israel to Himself. Their part is “to observe these statutes and judgments” (v16)—not merely as terms and conditions of a contract, but as an expression of their identity as the people who are devoted to Him: “with all your heart and with all your soul.”
Dear Christian, don’t listen to those who tell you that the Old Testament was a religion of works, and the New Testament is a religion of the heart. There is no such distinction in the Bible. True religion has always been a religion of divinely redeemed hearts that show forth in works. Let all of your obedience be “with all your heart and with all your soul,” because those ways are His, and those statutes are His, and those commandments are His, and those judgments are His, coming to you in a voice that is His (v17)—note that although it was Moses’s voice that sounded in their ears, he affirms that it was God’s voice that they were to hear, and to which they were to respond.
We proclaim YHWH our God (v17), when we obey His voice (v17) with all our heart and all our soul (v16).
And when He does give us to hear His voice, in the preaching of His Word, let us not miss what an expression this is of His love. Just as they had proclaimed YHWH to be their God (v17), so also He was proclaiming them to be His treasured people (v18) by giving them His commandments.
Having His Word sets His people high above all nations (v19) for praise, for name, and for honor (v19, cf. Jer 13:11, 33:9). What a marvelous privilege, that the Lord would consecrate them as the holy people by whom He would glorify Himself!
This is exactly what the Lord continues to say about His church, having grafted in saints from all the nations: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1Pet 2:9–10).
We proclaim Him to be our God by obeying Him with all our heart and soul, and He declares us to be His treasured people by giving us His Word to keep.
In what circumstances does God give you His Word to keep? To what extent are you keeping it with all your heart and all your soul? How much thought do you give to His treasuring you, and what difference does this make for you?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for failing to proclaim that You are our God. We have obeyed half-heartedly, and sometimes, we have disobeyed altogether. Forgive us for failing to receive Your Word as an expression of Your love to us. Forgive us, and help us, so that our lives will proclaim Your praises, Who have called us out of darkness and into Your marvelous light, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly I Am with You” or TPH174 “The Ten Commandments”
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