Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers. (Deuteronomy 8:1)
There is concept taught in Judaism that says, “Liberty without law is lawlessness.” In other words, the freedom that came as a result of the death of the firstborn would have served no real purpose if Israel had not been directed to go to Sinai. It was there they truly became a nation when they assembled at the foot of the mountain to meet with God. It was there that He gave them instructions for living; those instructions are the ones Moses reminded them to “be careful to observe.”
The Hebrew word translated as “observe” actually means “to guard” or “protect” which is why it is sometimes translated as “keep.” In other words, they were not to “observe” them as if they were watching someone walking down the street. They were to embrace them, and not allow anything or anyone to snatch them from their keeping. As a result, they would live and not just exist as some do. Moreover, they would multiply, but not just in numbers; they would grow in spiritual strength which would spread throughout the nation. Finally, they would be able to possess the land promised to them, which is to say, they would be equipped to walk in the Promise.
It is important for us to acknowledge the principle here: walking in the promise does cost us something. True, Messiah paid the penalty for our sin and, consequently, we have access to the Father and will reap the benefits of being “heirs according to the promise.” Yet, I would argue that being an heir comes with responsibility. We must be faithful and loyal to our benefactor and King which means we are to deny our flesh and live life in a way that pleases Him. He has certain expectations of His people which is why we are told time and again to be diligent to obey His Word. If we are to truly live and not just exist; if we are to thrive spiritually and walk in the Promise, we must be “careful to observe” what He has called us to do.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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