December 8—The Gift of Ten Commandments

“Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!” Deuteronomy 5:29 (Full context: Deuteronomy 5)

Have you ever been so thankful to someone, that you'd do anything to repay them or express your thankfulness? The Israelites had this heart after being set free from their slavery in Egypt. After years of hard labor under harsh masters, they were freed under miraculous circumstances; witnessing God's parting of the Red Sea, being led by pillars of smoke and fire, and being fed bread that fell from the sky. How did they respond? They told Moses "Tell us what God says to do, and we will hear it, and do it" (Deuteronomy 5:27) They wanted to continue to follow the direction of their literal Savior!

God gifted the Israelites a set of instructions, the 10 commandments, so they could know how to follow and please Him. But God wasn't calling for rule compliance alone, He was looking for hearts to be turned towards Him. So they could know Him. The result of this obedience and heart-submission would be their good; "that it might go well with them and their children forever!”

As we see in the rest of the Bible, the Israelites ultimately failed. Repeatedly. As do we. God saw that we could not keep the 10 commandments perfectly, and that our hearts would not remain inclined to Him. But He made a way. He sent someone who would obey the 10 commandments completely, and would be in perfect submission to God. And that perfect submission is offered to you; freely, lovingly, completely.

~Bert Eikum

Ornament Credit:  Cheryl Eckerholm
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