Commands in OT (2)

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

Leviticus 11:44–45 KJV 1900

For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for 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 KJV 1900

But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it. Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. Ye shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.

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 KJV 1900

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey and the 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 KJV 1900

And I will delight myself in thy commandments, Which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; And I will meditate in thy statutes.

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 KJV 1900

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

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 KJV 1900

Yet the Lord testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets. Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in 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 KJV 1900

Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.

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 KJV 1900

If ye will fear the Lord, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the Lord your God: But if ye will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall the hand of the Lord be against you, as it was against your fathers.

See also Dt 11:26–28; Dt 30:1–3; 1 Ki 9:4–9; Ne 1:7–9; Je 22:4–5