The First Proclamation So now, Israel, give heed to the statutes and ordinances that I am teaching you to observe, so that you may live to enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors is giving you. See just as the Lord my God has charged me, I now teach you statutes and ordinances for you to observe in the land that you are about to enter and occupy. You must observe them diligently for this will show your wisdom and discernment to the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes will say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people!” For what other great nation has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is whenever we call to him? And what other great nation has statutes and ordinances as just as this entire law that I am setting before you today? But take care and watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children’s children.
Prayerful Awareness In this Scripture passage, the word “observe” appears in a couple of places - verse 1, 5, 6. The essence of this passage seems to be that the Word of God needs to be “observed” if we want to have results. In order to observe the Word of God, it becomes necessary to die to one’s self, one’s liking, one’s comfort, one’s ideas, one’s understanding etc. It demands that one behave like a fool, in the eyes of the world - Jesus said, “If someone slaps you on one cheek, give the other too ... “ Yes, in order to observe the Word of God, it becomes necessary to surrender one’s life, one’s security, one’s well-being to God - Let go and let God. To do this, one needs to have faith in God, rather than in one’s own ability and strength. Am I prepared to do this? God says that if we are prepared to do this only, that, “we may live” and “may enter in and take possession of the land ... “ (vs. 1) The “Word of God” even though it appears to be “foolish” to our intellect, is in fact the wisdom of God (vs. 6). Thus, if we observe the Word of God, we will NOT look foolish, but instead appear to be “wise and intelligent”, in the eyes of the world (vs. 6). Finally, we are called to remember and bring to our minds our experiences, when we observe the Word of God. - “Do not let them slip from your memory, as long as you live ...” (vs. 9).
Prayer Starter Glorify the Lord, Jerusalem; Zion, offer praise to your God, Who has strengthened the bars of your gates, blessed your children.
