How should God's attributes in Deuteronomy 10:17 shape our worship and obedience? The Text at a Glance “For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and accepting no bribe.” (Deuteronomy 10:17) Unpacking the Divine Titles • God of gods, Lord of lords – He alone reigns supreme; every rival authority is exposed as lesser (Isaiah 45:5). • Great – His limitless majesty dwarfs every human achievement (Psalm 145:3). • Mighty – His power creates, sustains, delivers, and judges (Jeremiah 32:17). • Awesome – His holiness provokes reverent fear and wonder (Hebrews 12:28-29). • Showing no partiality – His justice is perfect, untainted by prejudice (Acts 10:34). • Accepting no bribe – His character cannot be manipulated; He judges with incorruptible righteousness (Job 34:19). Responding in Worship • Exclusive devotion – Because He is “God of gods,” worship belongs to Him alone; idolatry has no place (Exodus 20:3). • Whole-hearted awe – His greatness and might call for more than casual admiration; we bow in joyful, trembling reverence (Psalm 95:6). • Humble gratitude – The awesome God chooses to relate to us in covenant love; gratitude fuels songs, testimony, and sacrificial praise (Psalm 103:1-5). • Confidence in His fairness – Knowing He shows no favoritism frees us to worship without fear of being overlooked (Romans 2:11). • Integrity in offerings – Since He “accepts no bribe,” worship cannot be a bargaining chip; gifts flow from love, not leverage (Micah 6:6-8). Responding in Obedience • Total allegiance – Serve Him “with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 10:12) because no other master is worthy. • Courageous trust – His might empowers obedience even when commands seem costly (Joshua 1:9). • Justice and impartiality – Reflect His character by treating people without bias—rich or poor, insider or outsider (James 2:1-9). • Integrity in daily choices – Reject every “bribe” of convenience or compromise; pursue holiness in public and private (1 Peter 1:14-16). • Ongoing awe-filled obedience – “Fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you” (1 Samuel 12:24). Bringing It All Together Supreme, great, mighty, awesome, impartial, and incorruptible—each attribute of God in Deuteronomy 10:17 reshapes both the posture of our hearts in worship and the pattern of our lives in obedience. We sing louder, bow lower, trust deeper, and walk straighter because the One we love is worthy of nothing less. |