By 
At summer’s end, many of us found ourselves sending off our children into one of the innumerable “firsts” of their lives: kindergarten, middle or high school, college, or a first job. As we did so, no doubt each of us had those last-minute words of wisdom to impart—wisdom that would see them protected, inspired, and empowered, of course differing along the spectrum of “firsts” listed above.
Indeed, we all have new endeavors happening in our lives requiring guidance. I know I would have appreciated some instructions in February 2020 as we entered this singular event, the pandemic, which continues to hold its grip on us some twenty months later. Then again we do have instructions that apply to all the occurrences above, wisdom that reaches each joyous, or dark and murky place in our lives, present and future.
As my husband and I thought about the final advice to give our daughter as she married this summer, we realized there was one tenet that would empower and infuse her new role as wife: keep God in the active forefront of all your words, actions, and plans. This advice is not original to us. It can be found throughout Scripture; but is very pointed in Deuteronomy 30.
Genesis, a book written more to tell us the character of God than about the science behind creation, was the first of the Pentateuch—the first 5 books of the Bible, attributed to Moses. The last book of the Pentateuch, Deuteronomy, is where this knowledge meets action. Given all we are told about who God is, how can we live in a world filled with rebellion? Deuteronomy is the first book that tells us directly that God loves us: “Yet the LORD set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day” (Deuteronomy 10:15, ESV).
Deuteronomy is a beautiful, eloquent appeal from an all-powerful and gracious God to His treasured possession. Its aim is to convince Israel of Jehovah’s claim on them. And because they are holy to this merciful LORD their God, they should cling to Him alone with their gratitude and obedience, remaining loyal in their love for Him. The ideal is introduced to them in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (ESV), known as the great Shema:
“Hear, Oh Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your might.”
Chapter 30 in Deuteronomy was God’s last instructions to the Israelites before they headed off on their “first”—stepping into life in the Promised Land. What would they need to know to live in communities and a culture already established?
In these final instructions to the people of God, we find some crucial teachings for all who call God, their God. Included here are three commands, as well as a most important concept: that consistency, not perfection, is the goal; and only love for God promotes steady obedience as we ride out this turbulent life. The commands?
Obey the voice of the LORD—verses 2, 8, 10, 16, 20.
Love the LORD your God—verses 6, 16, 20.
Walk with the LORD your God—verses 10, 16, 20.
OBEDIENCE
Obedience is a repetitive theme in Deuteronomy—throughout the Old Testament—obviously because they were not. Stiff-necked and rebellious, the people could not keep a consistent walk with the LORD their God even though He was right there. Deuteronomy 30 starts with the premise that they will rebel; the rest of the chapter is the way back. It is a future scenario, an unresolved tension that will not be resolved until Jesus.
C.S. Lewis said in The Great Divorce: “There is but one good; that is God. Everything else is good when it looks to Him and bad when it turns from Him.” Obedience is not just following statutes and rules. It is much more. Obeying God’s voice is looking to God for our standard. He sets the bar. His Word is our final authority.
Tim Keller posted recently:
“We don't want our opinion to shape God's Word. We want God's Word to shape our opinion.”
I inserted “I” pronouns and keep it on my desktop, a constant reminder of the right order of things. I am more inclined to respond to what is close, to the noise around me. My default is what is easy and attainable. Obedience to reading, studying, and talking about God’s Word in my daily routine means that His voice becomes what is easy and attainable.
For years I prayed and looked for specific signs of God’s will in my life decisions. Did He want me to take this new job? Should I buy a new car? Then I heard in a sermon something that God confirmed in my quiet time: it is more important to give attention to God’s general will for me, for all of us. Then my specific will bends to align with His. God’s general will is for me to be in relationship with Him, to take time daily to sit at the feet of Jesus, listening and praying.
Obedience. Love. Walking with Him.
As we close, a note on the intersection of Love and Obedience. The connectedness of these two concepts is instructive. When God commanded obedience and warned of consequences to disobedience, He was telling the Israelites that He is sovereign. Only He can gather and scatter; only He has the power to give and to take. John Piper, in his book Coronavirus and Christ, says the secret is this: “Knowing that the same sovereignty that could stop the coronavirus, yet doesn’t, is the very sovereignty that sustains the soul in it.” Obedience means trusting that God is for us, and His way is best. Only love could keep Him working for the good of such a rebellious people.
When I find delight in God my desires align with His. That is why Psalm 37:4 (ESV) says Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Duty becomes pleasure. When my desires align with God’s, then I delight in, prosper in, obedience.
Look for Part 2 in the coming weeks to continue with the last two instructions from the LORD…
Elizabeth Murphy
Elizabeth Murphy has been following Christ since she was 17. Although this road has not always been straight, she has seen God’s hand in every detour. She is blessed with and by her husband, John, and growing family. As an educator, she has been able to feed her insatiable desire to learn every day and share learning with others. Elizabeth became a student of Womenary in 2016. From the Bible to theology to cozy mysteries, She is always absorbed in reading. This still leaves time for enjoying travel with her husband, walking, old movies, and time with extended family and friends. Elizabeth loves to walk alongside fellow Christ-chasers—learning and laughing through life.
