This small portion of Deuteronomy is a wonderful summary of the whole—a mini-symphony in the midst of a much greater work. “And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee . . .” (Deuteronomy 10:12-22).
What does God expect from you? The question is reminiscent of Micah 6:8. He wants Israel to fear, to walk, to love, to serve and to keep (vv. 12-13). This is all to their good (v. 13). We then come to two verbal “triplets,” back to back. Each has in the first place an opening hymn-like exultation, followed by a surprising revelation of God’s character, followed by a charge to Israel to respond appropriately (vv. 14-16 & 17-19). God must be feared above all (v. 20). God is the praise of Israel (v. 21). His kindness is seen in how He has exalted Israel, who went down into Egypt a mere seventy in number (v. 22).
So what does God require? Five things are mentioned. If we see them chiastically, love is in the center. The fear of God is associated with keeping God’s commandments, and walking in God’s ways is associated with serving God heart and soul (vv. 12-13).
Fear the Lord thy God as you keep His word.
Walk in all His ways in faithful service.
Love Him.
Serve Him with all your heart and soul as you walk with Him.
Keep His commandments and statutes as you fear Him.
This is all for your good. Obedience is a great blessing, a great gift from God. Treasure it—He is showing His great kindness to you.
We come then to the first triad. The pattern we see here is paean, revelation, and charge.
Paean: the language here is superlative. Heaven is the Lord’s. Not only this, but the heaven of heavens is His also. The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains (v. 14).
Revelation: now the surprise. From this height, the Lord delighted in their fathers and decided to love them. This love includes their seed after them. This means you, Moses says, above all nations (v. 15).
Charge: you must be born again. Repent. Circumsise the foreskin of your hearts. Soften your stiff necks (v. 16).
And then the second triad. Moses follows the same pattern again.
Paean: the Lord your God is the God of all gods, the Lord of all lords, a great God, a mighty warrior and terrible. He shows no partiality, and takes no bribes (v. 17).
Revelation: now the surprise. This great and terrible God stoops—and takes care of the orphans and widows. He loves the aliens and gives them food and clothing (v. 18).
Charge: you must do the same. You must love the resident alien because God does, and because you know what it is like to be a stranger in a strange land(v. 19).
Another charge is laid upon the people. They are to fear the Lord (v. 20). They are to serve Him (v. 20). They are to cleave to Him, and take their oaths in His name. The imagery of cleaving is telling. In Genesis we are told that a man will leave his father and mother in order to cleave to his wife (Gen. 2:24). This is a picture of Christ and the church (Eph. 5:31). Paul uses the same idea in 1 Cor. 6:17. He that is joined to the Lord is one spirit. Cleave does not mean “stand in the vicinity of.” Cleave to the Lord.
God is our praise; God is our God, the one who has done great and terrible things (v. 21). Israel has seen His mighty acts. They began with a mere seventy, and now they are a mighty host (v. 22).
What are the applications? You are chosen—and therefore repent. The doctrine of election, rightly understood, never leads to presumption. It leads rather to a life of repentance, a life, if we may speak the way Calvin did, of regeneration. You are chosen—so love your enemies. Remember that our Lord was steeped in the doctrine of Deuteronomy. Judging from the quotations it was one of His favorite books. Repent, for the kingdom is at hand. Love your enemies. Care for the widow. Look out for the resident alien. You are chosen—so choose. God has called you, so you cleave to Him. Fear Him. Swear in His name. Walk in imitation of Him. Do not assume your love for Him is rightly informed, so pay close attention to His commandments and statutes.