Yet the LORD has set His affection on your fathers and loved them. And He has chosen you, their descendants after them, above all the peoples, even to this day. Yet the LORD has set His affection on your fathers and loved them.This phrase highlights God's sovereign choice and love for the patriarchs of Israel—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This divine affection is rooted in the covenant God made with Abraham ( Genesis 12:1-3), which promised blessings and a multitude of descendants. The love mentioned here is not based on the merit of the patriarchs but on God's gracious will. This reflects the biblical theme of God's electing love, seen also in Romans 9:10-13, where Paul discusses God's choice of Jacob over Esau. The phrase underscores the personal and relational nature of God's covenant, emphasizing His faithfulness and commitment to His promises. And He has chosen you, their descendants after them,
This part of the verse speaks to the continuity of God's covenantal promises from the patriarchs to their descendants, the nation of Israel. The concept of being "chosen" is central to Israel's identity and mission, as seen in Exodus 19:5-6, where Israel is called a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation." This choice is not based on Israel's size or strength (Deuteronomy 7:7-8) but on God's love and the oath He swore to their forefathers. Theologically, this prefigures the New Testament understanding of the church as the chosen people of God (1 Peter 2:9), extending the idea of election to all who are in Christ. above all the peoples,
This phrase indicates the unique status of Israel among the nations. Israel's election was not for privilege alone but for a purpose—to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6). This special status is tied to their role in God's redemptive plan, ultimately leading to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would bring salvation to all peoples (Luke 2:30-32). The phrase also reflects the historical context of the ancient Near East, where nations often had their own deities, but Israel was distinct in worshiping the one true God. even to this day.
This emphasizes the enduring nature of God's covenant and faithfulness. Despite Israel's repeated disobedience and the challenges they faced, God's promises remained steadfast. This phrase reassures the Israelites of God's unchanging commitment, which is a recurring theme throughout Deuteronomy. It also points forward to the New Covenant, where God's faithfulness is fully realized in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 8:6-13). The continuity "to this day" serves as a reminder of God's eternal purposes and the assurance that His promises are reliable and everlasting. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who demonstrates His sovereign choice and love. 2. Your FathersRefers to the patriarchs of Israel, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, with whom God established His covenant. 3. The IsraelitesThe descendants of the patriarchs, chosen by God to be His special people. 4. The Nations (Peoples)The other nations of the world, contrasted with Israel as God's chosen people. 5. MosesThe leader and prophet who delivers God's message to the Israelites in the book of Deuteronomy. Teaching Points God's Sovereign ChoiceGod's selection of Israel was based on His love and promise, not on their merit. This reminds us of the grace we receive through Christ, not by our works but by God's sovereign choice. Covenant FaithfulnessThe faithfulness of God to the patriarchs is a testament to His unchanging nature. We can trust in God's promises today, knowing He is faithful to His word. Identity and PurposeJust as Israel was chosen for a purpose, believers today are called to live out their identity in Christ, serving as His representatives in the world. Love and ObedienceGod's love for Israel called for a response of love and obedience. Similarly, our response to God's love should be a life of obedience and devotion. Witness to the NationsIsrael was chosen to be a light to the nations. As Christians, we are called to be witnesses of God's love and truth to the world around us. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding God's choice of Israel help us comprehend His grace in choosing us as believers? 2. In what ways can we see God's faithfulness to His promises in our own lives today? 3. How does our identity as God's chosen people influence the way we live and interact with others? 4. What are some practical ways we can demonstrate our love and obedience to God in our daily lives? 5. How can we be effective witnesses of God's love and truth in our communities, following the example set by Israel? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 12God's covenant with Abraham, where He promises to make Abraham's descendants a great nation. Exodus 19God declares Israel to be His treasured possession, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Romans 9Paul discusses God's sovereign choice in election, using Israel as an example of God's purpose in choosing a people for Himself. 1 Peter 2Peter describes believers as a chosen people, a royal priesthood, echoing the language used for Israel. People Aaron, Eleazar, Jaakanites, Jakan, Levi, MosesPlaces Beeroth Bene-jaakan, Beth-baal-peor, Egypt, Jotbathah, Moserah, SinaiTopics Affection, Chose, Delight, Delighted, Descendants, Fathers, Fix, Forefathers, Heart, Love, Loved, Marking, Nations, Peoples, Pleasure, Seed, YetDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 10:15 1085 God, love of
6640 election, privileges Deuteronomy 10:12-20 1335 blessing Deuteronomy 10:14-16 7336 circumcision, spiritual Library Election and Holiness
Now, this morning it may be that some of you will not approve of what I have to say. You will remember, however, that I do not seek your approbation, that it will be sufficient for me if I have cleared my conscience concerning a grand truth and have preached the gospel faithfully. I am not accountable to you, nor you to me. You are accountable to God, if you reject a truth; I am accountable to Him if I preach an error. I am not afraid to stand before His bar with regard to the great doctrines which …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860Book iii. The Ascent: from the River Jordan to the Mount of Transfiguration.
{hebrew} In every passage of Scripture where thou findest the Majesty of God, thou also findest close by His Condescension (Humility). So it is written down in the Law [Deut. x. 17, followed by verse 18], repeated in the Prophets [Is. lvii. 15], and reiterated in the Hagiographa [Ps. lxviii. 4, followed by verse 5].' - Megill 31 a. …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah a survey of the third and closing discourse of the prophet
We shall now, in conclusion, give a survey of the third and closing discourse of the prophet. After an introduction in vi. 1, 2, where the mountains serve only to give greater solemnity to the scene (in the fundamental passages Deut. xxxii. 1, and in Is. 1, 2, "heaven and earth" are mentioned for the same purposes, inasmuch as they are the most venerable parts of creation; "contend with the mountains" by taking them in and applying to [Pg 522] them as hearers), the prophet reminds the people of …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Sanctification.
I. I will remind you of some points that have been settled in this course of study. 1. The true intent and meaning of the law of God has been, as I trust, ascertained in the lectures on moral government. Let this point if need be, be examined by reference to those lectures. 2. We have also seen, in those lectures, what is not, and what is implied in entire obedience to the moral law. 3. In those lectures, and also in the lectures on justification and repentance, it has been shown that nothing is …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology Parable of the Importunate Widow.
^C Luke XVIII. 1-8. ^c 1 And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2 saying, There was in a city a judge, who feared not God, and regarded not man [an utterly abandoned character]: 3 and there was a widow in that city; and she came oft unto him, saying, Avenge me of [rather, Do justice to me as to] mine adversary. [In Scripture language widowhood is symbolic of defenselessness (Ex. xxii. 22-24; Deut. x. 18; xxvii. 19; Mal. iii. 5; Mark xii. 40), …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Covenanting a Duty.
The exercise of Covenanting with God is enjoined by Him as the Supreme Moral Governor of all. That his Covenant should be acceded to, by men in every age and condition, is ordained as a law, sanctioned by his high authority,--recorded in his law of perpetual moral obligation on men, as a statute decreed by him, and in virtue of his underived sovereignty, promulgated by his command. "He hath commanded his covenant for ever."[171] The exercise is inculcated according to the will of God, as King and …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Thirtieth Lesson. An Holy Priesthood;'
An holy priesthood;' Or, The Ministry of Intercession. An holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.'--I Peter ii. 5. Ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord.'--Isaiah lxi. 6. THE Spirit of the Lord God is upon me: because the Lord hath anointed me.' These are the words of Jesus in Isaiah. As the fruit of His work all redeemed ones are priests, fellow-partakers with Him of His anointing with the Spirit as High Priest. Like the precious ointment upon …
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the Doubling it in the Maps is Well Done.
The readers of the eastern interpreters will observe, that Kadesh is rendered by all Rekam, or in a sound very near it. In the Chaldee, it is 'Rekam': in the Syriac, 'Rekem': in the Arabic, 'Rakim'... There are two places noted by the name Rekam in the very bounds of the land,--to wit, the southern and eastern: that is, a double Kadesh. I. Of Kadesh, or Rekam, in the south part, there is no doubt. II. Of it, in the eastern part, there is this mention: "From Rekam to the east, and Rekam is as the …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica An Appendix to the Beatitudes
His commandments are not grievous 1 John 5:3 You have seen what Christ calls for poverty of spirit, pureness of heart, meekness, mercifulness, cheerfulness in suffering persecution, etc. Now that none may hesitate or be troubled at these commands of Christ, I thought good (as a closure to the former discourse) to take off the surmises and prejudices in men's spirits by this sweet, mollifying Scripture, His commandments are not grievous.' The censuring world objects against religion that it is difficult …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry.
(Jerusalem, April 9, a.d. 27.) Subdivision B. Jesus Talks with Nicodemus. ^D John III. 1-21. ^d 1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. [Nicodemus is mentioned only by John. His character is marked by a prudence amounting almost to timidity. At John vii. 50-52 he defends Jesus, but without committing himself as in any way interested in him: at John xix. 38, 39 he brought spices for the body of Jesus, but only after Joseph of Arimathæa had secured the body. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Deuteronomy 10:15 NIVDeuteronomy 10:15 NLTDeuteronomy 10:15 ESVDeuteronomy 10:15 NASBDeuteronomy 10:15 KJV
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