Deuteronomy 30:11-20
If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. – Deuteronomy 30:16
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In Leviticus 26, we read that God gave the law to His covenant people on Mount Sinai, laying out the blessings for obeying it and the curses for disobeying. That chapter serves as a concluding reflection on the covenant, reminding the people of the consequences of their actions and the importance of obedience.
However, soon after, on their way to the Promised Land, the Israelites defied and rebelled against God (Numbers 14), resulting in the judgment of wandering in the wilderness. Forty years later, the Israelites finally arrived at the plains of Moab, across from Canaan. There, under Moses’ leadership, they reestablished their covenant with God, once again receiving the laws He had given them to follow after entering the Promised Land.
Moses, who had shepherded them for decades, understood the depravity of human nature deeply. He knew that unless the Lord God Himself performed a “heart transplant” for the Israelites in the future, they would inevitably suffer the fate of exile for failing to keep the law (Deuteronomy 30:6).
Even though Moses knew that Israel would eventually fail, he didn’t give up on them. He took on God’s heart, like a loving father, and repeated the blessings that come from obeying and the curses that come from disobeying. He tried to touch both their hearts and minds, urging them strongly to follow God’s law from the depths of their being and to choose life. He also demonstrated that the heart of the law is to love and trust God, which is what God truly desired from them.
In verses 11–14, Moses assures the people that God’s commandments are not beyond their grasp, telling them that: “the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.”(v.14)
God’s Word is not distant or inaccessible. It is meant to be internalised—to shape not just our actions, but our hearts and minds. Its accessibility reminded us that His commandments are intended to be understood and followed.
Then, in verses 15–20, Moses lays out the stark reality of choice: life and good, or death and evil. This is not just a legal demand, but a call to a relationship: “Therefore choose life… For He is your life.”
This choice—to love the Lord, walk in His ways, and hold fast to Him—is the essence of life itself. Moses’ words remain deeply relevant. In Christ, God draws near to us, offering not only His Word but also His Spirit to renew our hearts, so that we may have life and have it abundantly.
Every day, we face the decision: whether to follow our own way or God’s way. May we choose life, not just once, but daily—by clinging to Him in trust and in love.
Reflection:
How can you make God’s Word more present in your daily life—both in your thoughts and in your actions? In what area of your life do you need to “choose life” today by loving, trusting, and obeying God?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for drawing near to me through Your Word and through Jesus Christ. You have made Your will clear, written on my heart and revealed by Your Spirit. Lord, I confess my heart is often divided and distracted. Today, by Your grace, I choose life. Help me love You with all my heart, soul, and strength. Teach me to walk in Your ways and trust You in obedience. Renew my heart, O God. Plant Your Word deep within me. Let it guide my thoughts, shape my actions, and bear fruit in my life. In every decision and challenge, remind me that You are my life. Help me walk closely with You each day. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Click to read
In Leviticus 26, we read that God gave the law to His covenant people on Mount Sinai, laying out the blessings for obeying it and the curses for disobeying. That chapter serves as a concluding reflection on the covenant, reminding the people of the consequences of their actions and the importance of obedience.
However, soon after, on their way to the Promised Land, the Israelites defied and rebelled against God (Numbers 14), resulting in the judgment of wandering in the wilderness. Forty years later, the Israelites finally arrived at the plains of Moab, across from Canaan. There, under Moses’ leadership, they reestablished their covenant with God, once again receiving the laws He had given them to follow after entering the Promised Land.
Moses, who had shepherded them for decades, understood the depravity of human nature deeply. He knew that unless the Lord God Himself performed a “heart transplant” for the Israelites in the future, they would inevitably suffer the fate of exile for failing to keep the law (Deuteronomy 30:6).
Even though Moses knew that Israel would eventually fail, he didn’t give up on them. He took on God’s heart, like a loving father, and repeated the blessings that come from obeying and the curses that come from disobeying. He tried to touch both their hearts and minds, urging them strongly to follow God’s law from the depths of their being and to choose life. He also demonstrated that the heart of the law is to love and trust God, which is what God truly desired from them.
In verses 11–14, Moses assures the people that God’s commandments are not beyond their grasp, telling them that: “the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.”(v.14)
God’s Word is not distant or inaccessible. It is meant to be internalised—to shape not just our actions, but our hearts and minds. Its accessibility reminded us that His commandments are intended to be understood and followed.
Then, in verses 15–20, Moses lays out the stark reality of choice: life and good, or death and evil. This is not just a legal demand, but a call to a relationship: “Therefore choose life… For He is your life.”
This choice—to love the Lord, walk in His ways, and hold fast to Him—is the essence of life itself. Moses’ words remain deeply relevant. In Christ, God draws near to us, offering not only His Word but also His Spirit to renew our hearts, so that we may have life and have it abundantly.
Every day, we face the decision: whether to follow our own way or God’s way. May we choose life, not just once, but daily—by clinging to Him in trust and in love.
Reflection:
How can you make God’s Word more present in your daily life—both in your thoughts and in your actions? In what area of your life do you need to “choose life” today by loving, trusting, and obeying God?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for drawing near to me through Your Word and through Jesus Christ. You have made Your will clear, written on my heart and revealed by Your Spirit. Lord, I confess my heart is often divided and distracted. Today, by Your grace, I choose life. Help me love You with all my heart, soul, and strength. Teach me to walk in Your ways and trust You in obedience. Renew my heart, O God. Plant Your Word deep within me. Let it guide my thoughts, shape my actions, and bear fruit in my life. In every decision and challenge, remind me that You are my life. Help me walk closely with You each day. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.