Deuteronomy 10:12-22 – The call to consecrated living

Israel had benefitted from God’s graciousness. They were pardoned, preserved, and granted great privileges. God had delivered them from the hand of the Egyptians, preserved them through their journey, pardoned their backsliding, granted them the privilege of being His Chosen people, and even planned for their future.  For all these kind overtures He had shown toward them, they owed Him their lives. He now had the right to expect Israel, His people, to reciprocate His grace towards them by living godly lives. Deuteronomy 10:12-22 not only showed how the Israelites should conduct their lives but also t0ld them why they should do it.

How must God’s people behave as recipients of His grace? Firstly, they must fear Him. Secondly, they must walk in all His ways. Thirdly, they must love Him. Fourthly, they must serve Him wholeheartedly. And fifthly, they must keep all His instructions. We learn here that fearing God is the only right, proper, and good thing to do as His people. Our reverence for Him must be translated into humble and grateful living. We must no longer pander to our obstinacy. Instead, we are to live a consecrated life by developing a singleness of heart and mind to love God. We must also seek to live an upright and moral life seeking to abstain from all fleshly desires. Furthermore, verse 19 tells us that we ought to engage in active service to others, even to strangers. Here we are called to be compassionate to all. As the recipients of God’s grace, believers must live godly lives.

Why must the people of God live godly lives? Firstly, to live a godly life as He has described will be advantageous to us. This was Moses' assertion in the last part of verse 13. He implied that to do the five things described was “for their good.” The Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 4:8 also assures us of the same thing. He says  that “…godliness is profitable for all things since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” Secondly, to live a godly life as described will reflect the nature of God. Verse 14 shows the supremacy of God. He is the sovereign God and to Him “…belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it.” When God’s people live such a life they reflect the supremacy of God. Verse 15 shows that God is gracious and merciful. He chose Israel solely on His own free will and not because of their exceptional quality. In His mercy, He preferred them to all others and made them uniquely His chosen people. Hence to live such a life would reflect God’s grace and mercy. Verse 17 says “For the Lord, your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe.” This verse shows two characteristics of God. We see that God is not only powerful but also impartial. When God’s people live as they should, they will reflect not only the power of God but also His impartiality. And that He is no respecter of persons. Finally, God’s goodness deserves our godly living. Verses 21 -22 tell us that God was not only gracious to His people but He also had greatly multiplied and prospered them. His goodness towards us is why He is worthy of our godly living.

The lesson we glean from these eleven verses: we must live a godly and consecrated life. The three reasons why we should do it. Firstly, it is beneficial for us now and forever. Secondly, we will reflect the nature of God when we conduct godly lives. And thirdly, God’s goodness towards us deserves the best we can bring to Him. Live for Him alone!