Deuteronomy is the most quoted Old Testament book with over eighty New Testament references. Not only did the New Testament authors value the lessons taught in Deuteronomy, but Jesus esteemed them as well. Jesus quoted Deuteronomy to Satan each time Satan tried to tempt Him, and when asked what the greatest commandment of the Law was, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:5: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
Deuteronomy’s pages are filled with Moses’ speeches to the Israelites, retelling their journey so far and preparing them to enter the promised land. Moses continuously reminds Israel of the older generation’s pattern of disobedience, which led to their destruction, and then contrasts it with the new generation’s pattern of obedience, which leads to victory. Moses urges the Israelites to remember and obey!
Don’t repeat the mistakes of the past.
Paul in 1st Corinthians 10:1-5 warns the Corinthians not to be unaware of what the Israelites did long ago. He said, “they all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and they all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased; for their dead bodies were spread out in the wilderness.”
Paul says that these things happened as examples for us so that we would not repeat their mistakes (1st Corinthians 10:6). Lessons from the past are wise counsel. Proverbs 1:5 says that “a wise person will hear and increase in learning, and a person of understanding will acquire wise counsel.”
Remember how God has been faithful.
Through Moses, God reminds the Israelites how He saved them from Egypt, provided for them in the wilderness, and established a covenant with them at Mt. Sinai. He reminds them there is no God but Him, and He is capable of more than they can ever imagine ( Deuteronomy 4:32-39).
Also, God prompts the Israelites to recall why He chose them out of all other nations. He did not choose them because they were the biggest, strongest, or best (Deuteronomy 7:7). He chose them because he loves them (Deuteronomy 7:8). The same applies to us still today. GOD CHOOSES US; we don’t choose him (John 15:16). He picked us not because we are smarter, better, or more worthy than anyone else; He chose us because He loves us.
Remembering leads to love.
If Israel remembers God’s faithfulness, they will love Him. If they love Him, they will obey him. Love is the center of the Law.
“Hear, Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” Deuteronomy 6:5
The New Testament repeatedly tells us to REMEMBER what Jesus did on the cross. And then, based on what HE did for us, we are given commands that we are to obey.
Love leads to obedience.
When the disciples asked Jesus what the most important command they were to obey was, He didn’t answer by giving any of the ten commandments; He didn’t warn against money or idols. His response wasn’t about politics, social programs, or religious reforms; His answer was ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind’ (Matthew 22:36-37). This is the greatest command because love is the only force that can cause us to obey every other law.
Loving God does not make our obedience to the other commands unnecessary; it makes our obedience possible.
Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Enough said.
Like God rescued and provided for the Israelites, Jesus has rescued us and provided for us. If we remember what he has done, we will be so filled with love for Him that we will happily obey whatever He commands. REMEMBER THE GOSPEL, LOVE JESUS, AND OBEY. Obeying his commands will become our greatest joy.
