Deuteronomy 11-13

February 27

Deuteronomy 11-13

God gave Israel a choice. He made a covenant with them. He promised to bless them if they walked in obedience to him. He did not force them to walk with Him, but he told them that if they followed Him He would bless them, if they did not they would be cursed. There is not neutrality to the relationship. For Israel, as for us, we must decide whether we will walk in obedience to God. The choice is not God or life without God; it is between Yahweh, the God of Israel or some lesser other god. We all serve someone.

These “other gods, which you have not known,” (Deuteronomy 11:28b, NIV) did not create the nation of Israel or deliver them from Egypt or even do anything to sustain Israel, but the Israelites continued to turn to “other gods” while the one true God continued to reach out to them.

God calls for His people to perfect love and perfect obedience. These commands are beyond human grasp, but “perfection” in God’s sight is attainable by God’s grace. Our perfection comes through what God does for us, not through what we can accomplish on our own. “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (Jeremiah 31:33-34, NIV)

God fulfilled His covenant on Pentecost when the Holy Spirit first came and filled those who submitted to the lordship of Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit we know the will of God; through the blood of Jesus we are cleansed and forgiven of our sin. Like the Israelites we have to make a choice; will we follow God or will we create our own god to follow. To obey God’s new covenant affirmed through the blood of Jesus leads to eternal blessing. To reject God’s covenant leads to eternal damnation. We have a choice.