Commands in OT

Shannon Watterson

Sermon • Submitted a year ago • Presented a year ago

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The OT sets out the commands of God to his people Israel, indicating both their extent and their importance.

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The reason for God’s commands: the need to be holy

Leviticus 11:44–45 CEV

44 I am the Lord your God, and you must dedicate yourselves to me and be holy, just as I am holy. Don’t become disgusting by eating any of these unclean creatures. 45 I brought you out of Egypt so that I could be your God. Now you must become holy, because I am holy!

See also Le 19:2; Le 20:7–8; Le 20:26; Le 21:8

God’s commands to Israel

Deuteronomy 5:31–33 CEV

31 but you come back here to me. After I tell you my laws and teachings, you will repeat them to the people, so they can obey these laws in the land I am giving them. 32 Israel, you must carefully obey the Lord’s commands. 33 Follow them, because they make a path that will lead to a long successful life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

See also Ex 16:23–24; Ex 17:1; Ex 25:22; Ex 34:32; Nu 9:18–20; Dt 15:11 The Lord commands generosity and kindness to the poor; Dt 15:15; Dt 24:17–18; Dt 24:21–22; 2 Ch 29:25–26; Ne 8:1; Ne 9:13–14

Demands made by God upon individuals

Ge 2:16–17 Adam; Ge 7:16 Noah; Ge 21:4 Abraham

Aaron:

Le 6:9; Nu 33:38

Nu 24:13 Baalam

Joshua:

Dt 31:23; Jos 4:16–17

2 Sa 5:25 King David; 1 Ki 3:14 King Solomon; 1 Ki 18:36 Elijah

Jeremiah:

Je 1:7; Je 26:2

Eze 37:9–10 Ezekiel

God’s commands to non-human agencies

The universe

Ps 33:6–9; Ps 148:4–6

The living creation

2 Ch 7:13; Job 39:27; Am 9:3; Jon 2:10

The non-living creation

Job 37:11–12; Ps 78:23–24; Is 5:6; Je 31:35

The angels

Ps 91:11; Ps 103:20

The sword, symbolising the judgment of God

Je 47:6–7; Am 9:4

Commands of the leaders of God’s people

Dt 31:24–26 Moses; Jos 1:16–18 Joshua; 1 Ki 18:40 Elijah; Ne 13:22 Nehemiah

Commands given by kings

Over Israel and Judah

1 Ki 2:46; 1 Ch 28:20–21; 2 Ch 14:4

Over heathen nations

Ge 12:20; Ex 1:22; Ezr 4:3; Es 1:12; Es 1:15; Es 2:8; Es 3:2; Es 3:13; Da 3:20–22; Da 5:29

Parental commands

Dt 32:44–46; Pr 3:1; Pr 6:20; Pr 7:1–2

The nature of God’s commands

Psalm 19:7–10 CEV

7 The Law of the Lord is perfect; it gives us new life. His teachings last forever, and they give wisdom to ordinary people. 8 The Lord’s instruction is right; it makes our hearts glad. His commands shine brightly, and they give us light. 9 Worshiping the Lord is sacred; he will always be worshiped. All of his decisions are correct and fair. 10 They are worth more than the finest gold and are sweeter than honey from a honeycomb.

See also 1 Ch 16:15; Ps 119:86; Ps 119:96; Ps 119:151; Ps 119:172

God’s commands are to be loved

Psalm 119:47–48 CEV

47 I love your commands! They bring me happiness. 48 I love and respect them and will keep them in mind.

See also 1 Ki 8:61; 1 Ch 29:19; Job 23:12; Ps 112:1; Ps 119:16; Ps 119:35; Ps 119:127–128; Ps 119:131; Ps 119:143

God’s commands are to be obeyed

God commands obedience

Ecclesiastes 12:13 CEV

13 Everything you were taught can be put into a few words: Respect and obey God! This is what life is all about.

See also Dt 4:2; Dt 26:16–18; Jos 22:5; Je 7:22–23

Warnings against and examples of disobedience

2 Kings 17:13–14 CEV

13 So the Lord made sure that every prophet warned Israel and Judah with these words: “I, the Lord, command you to stop doing sinful things and start obeying my laws and teachings! I gave them to your ancestors, and I told my servants the prophets to repeat them to you.” 14 But the Israelites would not listen; they were as stubborn as their ancestors who had refused to worship the Lord their God.

See also 1 Sa 13:13–14; 1 Ki 11:10–11; La 1:18; Da 9:4–6

The consequences of obedience

Deuteronomy 6:1–3 CEV

1 The Lord told me to give you these laws and teachings, so you can obey them in the land he is giving you. Soon you will cross the Jordan River and take that land. 2 And if you and your descendants want to live a long time, you must always worship the Lord and obey his laws. 3 Pay attention, Israel! Our ancestors worshiped the Lord, and he promised to give us this land that is rich with milk and honey. Be careful to obey him, and you will become a successful and powerful nation.

See also Ge 26:4–5; Ex 15:26; Dt 4:1; Dt 8:1; 1 Ki 11:38

The consequences of disobedience

1 Samuel 12:14–15 CEV

14 If you and your king want to be followers of the Lord, you must worship him and do what he says. Don’t be stubborn! 15 If you’re stubborn and refuse to obey the Lord, he will turn against you and your king.