As he underlines the obligation of the Israelites to obey the law, Moses reminds them of the unique relationship that they have with Yahweh through the covenant: “And the LORD has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession, as he has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments, and that he will set you in praise and in fame and in honor high above all nations that he has made, and that you shall be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised” (Deuteronomy 26:18-19).
These verses bring to mind other declarations of the unique relationship between Yahweh and His people: “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless… I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you” (Genesis 17:1, 7). “Now, therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel” (Exodus 19:5-6).
Notice that this privileged relationship of the covenant demands a worthy response, a wholehearted obedience to the Law. Obedience is not something that tries to gain privilege from Yahweh; it is a recognition that a unique and privileged relationship already exists.
Notice too, that the repetition of this theme in the covenant with Abraham in Genesis 17, in the introduction of the Mosaic Covenant in Exodus 19 and now in closing the Law in Deuteronomy 26, all underline Yahweh’s faithfulness. Despite Pharaoh’s oppression of Israel, despite the centuries that have passed between Abraham and Moses, even despite the rebellions of His people, Yahweh is faithful to His promises: “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:9).
And as we have seen previously, if we genuinely recognize the glory of Yahweh’s attributes, we will praise Him. May we praise Him today with our lips and most of all, through obeying His word.
These verses bring to mind other declarations of the unique relationship between Yahweh and His people: “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless… I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you” (Genesis 17:1, 7). “Now, therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel” (Exodus 19:5-6).
Notice that this privileged relationship of the covenant demands a worthy response, a wholehearted obedience to the Law. Obedience is not something that tries to gain privilege from Yahweh; it is a recognition that a unique and privileged relationship already exists.
Notice too, that the repetition of this theme in the covenant with Abraham in Genesis 17, in the introduction of the Mosaic Covenant in Exodus 19 and now in closing the Law in Deuteronomy 26, all underline Yahweh’s faithfulness. Despite Pharaoh’s oppression of Israel, despite the centuries that have passed between Abraham and Moses, even despite the rebellions of His people, Yahweh is faithful to His promises: “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:9).
And as we have seen previously, if we genuinely recognize the glory of Yahweh’s attributes, we will praise Him. May we praise Him today with our lips and most of all, through obeying His word.
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