Deuteronomy 5 - Boundaries of Love

Every good parent establishes house rules to follow. These rules are not meant to Lord authority unduly, but to protect from danger and to train children in proper conduct. As children, we either comply with our parents desires or we rebel against them. Rules grate against us preventing us from doing what we would naturally do. They form boundaries that seem to hold us back and fence us in. 

God established the 10 Commandments with his people to outline for Israel what holy conduct looks like and to ensure they would stay close to God and not stray into the conduct of the nations they would soon inhabit. God shares His heart  when He says, "oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and to keep all my commandments always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever". (Deut 5:29). His desire is not to frustrate but to see His people enjoy peace, prosperity and security. Isn't that what we want for all our children?

Now we know that everyone has fallen short and broken the commandments of God. If we have broken one commandment we are guilty of breaking all the law because they are so intertwined. Jesus came to fulfill the law and to reconcile us to God, knowing we were fully guilty and unable to save ourselves from God's judgement. But this law stands today to remind us of God's holy standard and His desire that we would be holy for His glory and for our benefit. He longs that we would fear Him and respect Him and worship Him for His goodness toward His people. 

If Israel had reason to worship because of the miracles God performed in the Exodus and in the wilderness, how much more having been redeemed by God's son do WE have reason to sing God's praise and to honor His instructions for our lives?  We have not just been given a land to live in but we have hope of eternal salvation and to live in the presence of God for all eternity. We have great promises; will we heed the voice of God in our lives today?

May God richly bless you as you seek Him and as you serve Him.