Moses had retold the 40 years of wilderness history to the Israelites who were about to enter into the Promised Land. These Israelites were the second generation Israelites who had escaped Egypt and wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. The first generation had passed away. About 40 years ago, the Israelites were about to enter into the Promised Land, but they became afraid when they saw the giants who lived in the land. They disobeyed God and did not enter the Promised Land. So God made them wander in the wilderness for 40 years until the first generation passed away.

It was now time for the second-generation Israelites to enter the Promised land. In order that they do not make the same mistake as their forefathers, Moses reminded and pleaded with them this:

“And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you.”

Th phrase “statues and rules”, referring to the commandments that God has given to the people through Moses, were repeated 7 times (v 1, 5, 6, 8, 14, 40, 45) in this chapter. Moses reminded them over and over again that if they obeyed God’s commandment, and worshipped Him alone, all would go well for them. But if they were to turn away from God and forge idols, they will be scattered from their land.

Whenever we see “statues and rules” with our modern eyes, we only see rules and regulation, and we think of legalism. We imagine a legalistic and angry God who is concerned about dos and don’t. If you do this and that, then God will bless you, if you do not do this and that, God will punish you. However, if we understand God’s heart, He loves His people and He desires the best for His people. That is why God gave His only begotten son to us to die on the cross for our sins. Think about it, would we give up our beloved child in exchange for the salvation of another whom we hate? God loves us deeply and He desires a deep and loving relationship with us.

In His love, God safeguards us. In our wrongdoing, He disciplines us, not because he loves to see us in pain, but because he wants to prevent us from getting hurt. Just like a child who had not understood the idea of boiling water, the parents exercise rule over the child to prevent him from getting scalded. In the same way, God established “statues and rules” in order that we might not get hurt or stray away from Him.

God is clear to us where the road to blessings is, but we often choose not to abide by His teaching. There are some days when we think of ourselves as mature and there are no need for statues and rules to safekeep ourselves. There are other days when the world outside seem far more enticing that we choose to get out of the boundary God set for us. Dear brothers and sisters, God is clear that if we want to prolong our days in the land He has given us, we are to walk in obedience, and keep His statutes and His commandments. The chorus of a hymn goes like this, “Trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

Prayer: Dear Jesus, help us to trust and obey in your statues and rules, that we will not deviate from it. Help us to walk in your ways, that we might be glad only in you. Lord, there are too many things that can distract us, but help us to stand firm in you, and to find deep joy in your loving kindness.