Real Living (Deuteronomy 4)

Deuteronomy 4:1 Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you.

Moses commands Israel to listen to God’s laws and God’s Word, so that they can live the life God has for them. God wanted them in the land, enjoying worshipping Him alone and making the most of their inherited land. God also wanted them to be a light to the nations as those nations saw the wisdom of how they lived and the closeness they enjoyed with God. Yet, all of this was dependent on them listening and obeying God’s laws.

In a similar way, God gives us a wonderful opportunity to live life the way He intended it, in joyful relationship with Him and being a light to the nations. But without obedience to His Word, we will fall into sin and our light will dim. May we “hearken” and “do” God’s commands found in His Word.