Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments.

Deuteronomy 27:9-10

The text is taken from the book of Deuteronomy. This is an important fact. The book of Deuteronomy was written as a new generation was about to go into the Promised Land. There is a recap of this covenant people’s trip from Egypt to Moab and a definite call to obedience—being faithful to a God who had been faithful to them. In chapters 27-30, there is a pronouncement of not only the blessings of obedience but the curses of disobedience.

In this passage of scripture, there is a command to obey the voice of the Lord and do his commandments. We must remember that at the backdrop of this verse is a leader who has been condemned to enjoying the blessing of God in the Promised Land because of his own disobedience. There is an understanding of the people that no man is exempt from God’s rules.

The word “heed” in this passage means to be silent. Be quiet and pay attention. The word “hearken” means to hear intelligently, with an implication of attention and obedience. Israel had become a covenant people of God, and they were called to obey his voice and do his commandments.

PRAYER: Lord, I am taking a moment to silence myself so that I can pay attention to what you say. Teach me to turn off the noise so that I can listen to what you are saying. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.