Deuteronomy 10

Deuteronomy 10:1

10:1-5 This paragraph records the second giving of the law and the deposit of the two tablets in the ark. Verse 3 doesn’t mean that Moses personally made the ark, but only that he had it made. A person is often said to do what he orders to be done. 10:6-9 Verses 6 and 7 seem to be an abrupt change at this point. Actually they are a parenthesis, recording events that took place at a later date, as the NKJV indicates. But they bring the reader up to the death of Aaron. (The NKJV puts vv. 6-9 in parentheses, which makes the passage easier to understand.) Moserah was probably a district where Mount Hor was located, since that is the mountain where Aaron died (Num_20:25-28). The exact location of Moserah is unknown today. Perhaps this mention of the death of Aaron caused Moses to think of the priesthood, and so he reverted to the choosing of Levi as the priestly tribe (vv. 8, 9). The threefold function of the priesthood is given in verse 8: (1) to bear the ark of the covenant; (2) to stand before the LORD to minister to Him; (3) to bless in His name. Instructions about the priesthood were important for this generation which was about to enter Canaan. 10:10, 11 Moses again reminded them of his second stay on Sinai when for forty days and forty nights he interceded for them. God heard, withheld judgment, and told them to go in and possess the land. 10:12-22 Jehovah’s desire for His people was summed up in the words “to fear . . . to walk . . . to love . . . to serve . . . to keep” (vv. 12, 13). All of God’s commandments were designed for their good (v. 13b). Moses encouraged them to obey God because of His greatness (v. 14), His sovereign choice of Israel as His special people (v. 15), His righteousness and justice (vv. 17-20), and His past favors to the nation (vv. 21, 22). A circumcised heart (v. 16) is one that obeys.