4th Quarter: Present Truth in Deuteronomy.
Lesson 7: Law and Grace
Tuesday: Letov Lak
Text: [[Deu 10:12]] BSB
“And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
Message
Earlier this week, we mentioned in this study that many Christians see the God of the old testament as exacting, inconsiderate, and sometimes wicked. Unfortunately, many skeptics and unbelievers share the same view and this moves them to reject the whole idea of an existing and sovereign God. But why is this so? They feed on images of God’s judgments, warnings, and punishments. But this is not a fair representation of God’s character. Especially within the book of Deuteronomy, we find ample evidence of God’s loving care, grace, and persistent attempts to provide the best for His people. The overall picture of God, even in the OT, is a God of Love.
The story of Israel at Sinai could be used as a case study. Let’s face it. If God was wicked and really wanted to destroy his own people, would this not the greatest opportunity? Everyone knew and admitted that they’ve messed up by making and worshiping another god right in the process of committing to the covenant. God would’ve been justified. But what? God chose to begin the whole process again in renewing His covenant with them. God was willing to do everything possible for Israel to fulfill her purpose.
The command to obey Him was only for their own safety. The law was to serve as a hedge of protection, not a rod of punishment for Israel. So long as Israel upheld the law, they were safe, and if they deviated, God through diverse ways will show them grace and bring them back. Like ancient Israel, God is commanding his people today to obey because it is in our best interest to do so. God made us, God sustains us, God knows what is best for us, and He wants what’s best for us. Obedience to His law, to His Ten Commandments, can work only to our benefit. Let no one deceive you! Everything God does in our lives is for our own good, though we may not understand sometimes
Reflection
What are ways in which we can see for ourselves how obedience to God’s law has, indeed, been for “our own good”? Think about times where you escaped certain dangers because the law was your guide.
