because you obey the LORD your God, keeping all His commandments I am giving you today and doing what is right in the eyes of the LORD your God. because you obey the voice of the LORD your GodThe phrase "because you obey" underscores the conditional nature of God's blessings and favor. In Hebrew, the word for "obey" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which means to hear, listen, or give heed. This implies not just passive listening but active, attentive obedience. The "voice of the LORD your God" signifies divine communication, emphasizing the personal relationship between God and His people. Historically, this reflects the covenant relationship established at Sinai, where God spoke directly to Israel, and they pledged to follow His commandments. by keeping all His commandments
"Keeping" in Hebrew is "שָׁמַר" (shamar), meaning to guard, watch, or preserve. This suggests a diligent, careful observance of God's laws. "All His commandments" indicates the comprehensive nature of the law, covering every aspect of life. The Israelites were called to a holistic obedience, reflecting God's holiness in every action. This phrase reminds believers of the importance of not picking and choosing which commandments to follow but striving to uphold the entirety of God's law. that I am giving you today
The immediacy of "today" highlights the urgency and relevance of God's commandments. It suggests that God's laws are not just historical artifacts but living instructions applicable to every generation. The phrase "I am giving" indicates a continuous, present action, emphasizing that God's guidance is always available. This reflects the historical context of Deuteronomy, where Moses reiterates the law to a new generation of Israelites poised to enter the Promised Land. and doing what is right in the sight of the LORD your God
"Doing what is right" translates from the Hebrew "יָשָׁר" (yashar), meaning straight, right, or upright. This phrase calls for moral integrity and righteousness, aligning one's actions with God's standards. "In the sight of the LORD" emphasizes accountability to God, who sees and judges all actions. This reflects the biblical theme of living coram Deo, before the face of God, where every action is an act of worship and obedience. Historically, this was a call to Israel to distinguish themselves from surrounding nations by their adherence to God's righteous standards. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and commandments to the Israelites. 2. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, receiving the laws and commandments as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. 3. The LORD (Yahweh)The one true God, who commands obedience and righteousness from His people. 4. Promised LandThe land of Canaan, which the Israelites are about to enter, contingent upon their obedience to God's laws. 5. CovenantThe agreement between God and the Israelites, requiring their obedience in exchange for His blessings and protection. Teaching Points Obedience as a Response to God's VoiceTrue obedience involves listening to and acting upon God's commands. It is a response to His authority and love. The Importance of RighteousnessDoing what is right in God's sight is a central theme. Righteousness is not just about following rules but aligning one's heart and actions with God's will. Covenant FaithfulnessThe relationship between God and His people is based on a covenant that requires faithfulness and obedience. This covenant is a model for our relationship with God today. Blessings Tied to ObedienceGod's blessings are often contingent upon our obedience. While salvation is a gift, the fullness of God's blessings is experienced through living in accordance with His will. Application in Daily LifeObedience to God should permeate every aspect of our lives, influencing our decisions, relationships, and priorities. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of obedience in Deuteronomy 13:18 relate to the New Testament teachings on following Christ? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we are listening to and obeying the voice of the LORD in our daily lives? 3. How does the idea of doing what is right in the sight of the LORD challenge our current cultural norms and personal values? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to align our actions with God's commandments and experience His blessings? 5. How does understanding the covenant relationship between God and Israel help us appreciate our relationship with God through Jesus Christ? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 19:5-6This passage emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and Israel, highlighting the requirement of obedience to God's voice. Joshua 1:7-8Joshua is instructed to obey the law given through Moses, reinforcing the importance of adherence to God's commandments for success and prosperity. 1 Samuel 15:22Samuel emphasizes that obedience to God is more important than sacrifices, aligning with the theme of doing what is right in God's sight. John 14:15Jesus speaks about the connection between love for Him and obedience to His commandments, reflecting the continuity of this principle in the New Testament. James 1:22-25James encourages believers to be doers of the word, not just hearers, which aligns with the call to action in Deuteronomy 13:18. People MosesPlaces Beth-baal-peor, EgyptTopics Command, Commanding, Commandments, Commands, Ear, Giving, Hearken, Hearkenest, Keeping, Listen, Mayest, Obey, Orders, Sight, To-day, VoiceDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 13:17-18 6667 grace, in OT Library Fifthly, as this Revelation, to the Judgment of Right and Sober Reason,
appears of itself highly credible and probable, and abundantly recommends itself in its native simplicity, merely by its own intrinsic goodness and excellency, to the practice of the most rational and considering men, who are desirous in all their actions to have satisfaction and comfort and good hope within themselves, from the conscience of what they do: So it is moreover positively and directly proved to be actually and immediately sent to us from God, by the many infallible signs and miracles …
Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of GodKnox's Writings from Abroad: Beginning of the Scottish Revolution, 1556-1558
Knox was about this time summoned to be one of the preachers to the English at Geneva. He sent in advance Mrs. Bowes and his wife, visited Argyll and Glenorchy (now Breadalbane), wrote (July 7) an epistle bidding the brethren be diligent in reading and discussing the Bible, and went abroad. His effigy was presently burned by the clergy, as he had not appeared in answer to a second summons, and he was outlawed in absence. It is not apparent that Knox took any part in the English translation of the …
Andrew Lang—John Knox and the Reformation With, Before, After
'Enoch walked with God,'--GENESIS v. 22. 'Walk before Me.'--GENESIS xvii. 1. 'Ye shall walk after the Lord your God.'--DEUTERONOMY xiii. 4. You will have anticipated, I suppose, my purpose in doing what I very seldom do--cutting little snippets out of different verses and putting them together. You see that these three fragments, in their resemblances and in their differences, are equally significant and instructive. They concur in regarding life as a walk--a metaphor which expresses continuity, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Feeding of the Four Thousand - to Dalmanutha - the Sign from Heaven' - Journey to Cæsarea Philippi - what is the Leaven of The
THEY might well gather to Jesus in their thousands, with their wants of body and soul, these sheep wandering without a shepherd; for His Ministry in that district, as formerly in Galilee, was about to draw to a close. And here it is remarkable, that each time His prolonged stay and Ministry in a district were brought to a close with some supper, so to speak, some festive entertainment on his part. The Galilean Ministry had closed with the feeding of the five thousand, the guests being mostly from …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Text: Colossians 3, 12-17. 12 Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; 13 forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye: 14 and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the Word …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters Purely Religious, and Pertaining to the Conscience.
Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters purely Religious, and pertaining to the Conscience. Since God hath assumed to himself the power and Dominion of the Conscience, who alone can rightly instruct and govern it, therefore it is not lawful [1226] for any whosoever, by virtue of any authority or principality they bear in the government of this world, to force the consciences of others; and therefore all killing, banishing, fining, imprisoning, and other such things which are inflicted …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
THE FALL OF NINEVEH AND THE RISE OF THE CHALDAEAN AND MEDIAN EMPIRES--THE XXVIth EGYPTIAN DYNASTY: CYAXARES, ALYATTES, AND NEBUCHADREZZAR. The legendary history of the kings of Media and the first contact of the Medes with the Assyrians: the alleged Iranian migrations of the Avesta--Media-proper, its fauna and flora; Phraortes and the beginning of the Median empire--Persia proper and the Persians; conquest of Persia by the Medes--The last monuments of Assur-bani-pal: the library of Kouyunjik--Phraortes …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 Jewish Homes
It may be safely asserted, that the grand distinction, which divided all mankind into Jews and Gentiles, was not only religious, but also social. However near the cities of the heathen to those of Israel, however frequent and close the intercourse between the two parties, no one could have entered a Jewish town or village without feeling, so to speak, in quite another world. The aspect of the streets, the building and arrangement of the houses, the municipal and religious rule, the manners and customs …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life 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 13:18 NIVDeuteronomy 13:18 NLTDeuteronomy 13:18 ESVDeuteronomy 13:18 NASBDeuteronomy 13:18 KJV
Deuteronomy 13:18 Commentaries
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