Focal Passage: Deuteronomy 4:1-9
Have you ever gotten in trouble for breaking the rules? When I was a junior in high school, I had a teacher who would not let candy into her classroom. When I got caught taking a piece of candy out of my pocket before class started, I knew I would be in trouble.
Admittedly, it was not my first time breaking the rules in her class, so I was sent to the assistant principal’s office for discipline. After I was given a lecture about respecting teachers and following the rules, my assistant principle offered me a candy bar before I went back to class.
He had no idea why I was there!
We need brothers and sisters to keep us accountable, but also to know the underlying value of keeping us accountable. When Moses charged the Israelites to live according to God’s statutes, it was not merely to keep them in line. There was a better plan at work, and Moses trusted God’s heart to work that plan out. He reminded them of their previous rebellion at Baal-peor (Deuteronomy 1:26-46) so they would not repeat the same mistakes.
The Israelites needed to be obedient because future generations would inherit the promise that they received: entrance into the Promised Land. Their obedience would directly affect their children and grandchildren. They were connected to the covenant given to Eve (Genesis 3), Abraham (Genesis 15) and Moses (Deuteronomy 7). In their obedience, they learned to look for the coming Messiah that would fulfill the covenant.