Deuteronomy 10:12,13 - What God Expects of His Children?

Deuteronomy 10:12,13 - What God Expects of His Children?

Deu 10:12,13 (KJV)  And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God 
require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, 
and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart 
and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the LORD, and his 
statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? 

Deu 10:12, 13 (CEV)  People of Israel, what does the Lord your 
God want from you?  The Lord wants you to respect and follow him, to 
love and serve him with all your heart and soul, and to obey his laws 
and teachings that I am giving you today.  Do this, and all will go 
well for you.  

Deu 10:12,13 (CWR)  Now listen!  What does the Lord ask of you?  
All He asks is that you respect Him, love Him and serve Him with all 
your heart, soul and mind. He wants you to obey Him and to keep His 
commandments and laws that I have given to you for your own good. 

In answer to the question "What does the LORD your God ask of 
you?" five phrases are piled one on the other, phrases that occur 
again and again through these speeches. [Expositors Bible Commentary] 

To fear. Show respect or reverence to God. [Jamieson, Fausset, 
And Brown Commentary] 

God  is "mighty and awesome." He has such awesome power and 
justice that people cannot stand before him without his mercy... When we 
begin to grasp the extent of God's mercy toward us, we see what true 
love is and how deeply God loves us. Our fear of what he might do to 
us is transformed into a reverence and awe before his great mercy. 
Although our sins deserve severe judgment, God has chosen to show love 
and mercy to all who seek him. [Life Application SB] 

To love. "Love" in Scripture is more than an emotion or feeling. 
God's love finds expression in saving acts performed for His people.... 
those who truly love God express their love in action too. They "walk 
in all His ways," they "serve the Lord your God with all your heart 
and with all your soul." They "observe the Lord's commands and 
decrees." We respond to God's loving acts performed for us by performing 
loving acts for Him!... Just as today a caress is a joyful way to express 
love to our spouse, so obeying God is still a joyful way for us to 
express love to our Lord. [Victor Bible Reader's Companion] 

Where there is true love of God in the heart, a man will not 
weakly yield himself to temptation. [SDA Commentary] 

To walk. This is a daily walk with God in the power of the Holy 
Spirit, in pursuit of a perfect character. [SDA Commentary] 

Walking in God's ways, not your own, nor in the ways of the 
people of the land. (Adam Clarke Commentary) 

Obedience to God's Word and submission to his will result in 
spiritual prosperity. Disobedience and rejection lead to judgment and 
poverty. [Inspirational SB] 

Obedience is not the essence of a right relationship with God, 
but it is the evidence of it. [Daily Walk Bible] 

Lord actually requires only this: fear Him, love Him, serve Him, 
and He will bless you" (v. 12).... God could not bless them if they 
refused to obey His Word... This basic principle has never changed: if we 
obey God's Word from the heart, He will bless us and our labors; but 
if we disobey Him, He will send a curse and chasten us. Obedience 
is the key to happiness. [Wiersbe Expository Outlines] 

There are things required in life.  To drive a car, you must 
have a driver's license.  To teach in a public school you need a 
teaching certificate.  These things are required so that a person may 
"do" something, or "be" something. To be a follower of God, there are 
requirements.  Fear God, not as the "Great Punisher in the Sky," but rather 
with a reverence for who and what He is! We can begin to see Him in 
His creation.  To walk in His ways is to order your life, your walk, 
according to His Word, which must be regularly read to know Him more 
fully.  And as you begin to know Him more fully, you grow in affection 
for Him.  And this ultimately leads to the desire to serve Him.  To 
know Him, to love Him, to serve Him.  Is that your desire?  Today 
draw near, read His Word and pray to Him.  It is His desire you 
should.  [In His Time, Walk with Wisdom]