In the midst of the many rules, laws and regulations recorded in these chapters of Deuteronomy, we have these encouraging words for us in verse 18:
“The LORD has declared today that you are his people, his own special treasure, just as he promised, and that you must obey all his commands.”
God’s people, generations before, went to Egypt to survive a massive famine in their land. After a time, they became slaves to the Egyptians and cried out to their God for freedom. Moses was sent to lead them to the Promised Land and as they neared their destination, God reminds them that they are a special treasure and that they must obey his commands. So it is for us today. We who have born into sin have often been on a journey, oftentimes in a foreign setting, and may have found ourselves as a slave to the world. But we are freed from our slavery by the good news, which is this: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (NKJV). God loves you and me so much that today, we are his own special treasure and we are called to obey his commands: to love the Lord our God with all our heart, and mind, and soul and strength; and to love our neighbor.
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Ray Bezanson, Watertown, Wis.
Extended Scripture: Deuteronomy 26-27 (NLT)
