What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 26:18? And today • “And today” spotlights the immediacy of God’s word. His call is not vague or future-tense; it is a present summons (Deuteronomy 30:19 “I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you this day,”). • The same “today” urgency echoes in Hebrews 3:15, reminding us that God expects a present-tense response, not procrastination. • For the Israelites, this day followed forty years of wilderness lessons; now obedience must start “today,” not “someday.” the LORD has proclaimed • The initiative is God’s. He “has proclaimed,” not merely suggested (Isaiah 46:10 “My counsel will stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose,”). • This proclamation began at Sinai: “If you indeed obey My voice… you will be My treasured possession” (Exodus 19:5). Moses is reaffirming that same divine announcement. • Because the Lord speaks, His word carries final authority—our identity and mission are not self-chosen but God-declared. that you are His people • The statement of belonging is covenantal: “The LORD has chosen you to be a people for His possession” (Deuteronomy 7:6). • Being “His people” conveys security (1 Samuel 12:22 “The LORD will not forsake His people,”) and purpose (1 Peter 2:10 “once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God,”). • Identity precedes activity; God secures the relationship before outlining the responsibilities. and treasured possession • “Treasured possession” (sĕgullâ) portrays a king’s personal, guarded treasure (Psalm 135:4 “For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His treasured possession,”). • Malachi 3:17 pictures God sparing His “own treasured possession” in judgment, underscoring the protective aspect of this term. • This value is intrinsic because God assigns it, not because Israel earned it (Titus 2:14 applies the same thought to the church). as He promised • The phrase grounds assurance in God’s faithfulness (Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that He should lie,”). • Covenant promises stretch back to Abraham (Genesis 17:7 “I will establish My covenant… to be your God,”). • 2 Corinthians 1:20 reminds believers that “all the promises of God are ‘Yes’ in Christ,” reinforcing that divine promises are irreversible. that you are to keep all His commandments • Privilege never cancels obedience; it fuels it (Deuteronomy 11:1 “Love the LORD… and keep His charges, statutes, and commandments always,”). • Joshua 22:5 links inheritance with careful obedience, echoing this verse. • Jesus repeats the principle: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). • Obedience flows from relationship; it is not a legalistic ladder to climb but a grateful response to being God’s treasured people (1 John 5:3 “His commandments are not burdensome,”). summary Deuteronomy 26:18 ties together present-tense urgency, God-initiated identity, treasured value, covenant faithfulness, and responsive obedience. Today, the Lord still declares that those who trust Him are His cherished people. Because He has spoken, kept His promises, and made us His own, we gladly keep all His commandments, living out the privilege of belonging to Him. |
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