Deuteronomy 5:22-33
The law has been given. The LORD has nothing to add to it. The people now respond joyfully and spontaneously. How precious is this first love for God! "O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me . . . ," He confirms to His servant (v. 29). Much later, in the time of Jeremiah, He calls to mind that happy day: "I remember thee . . . the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness . . . " And with what sadness He has to add: "Yet my people have forgotten me days without number" (Jeremiah 2:2; Jeremiah 2:32).
Yes, the people spoke well; "they have well said all that they have spoken" (v. 28). However, God is not satisfied with just words. He will judge us according to our actions. "Ye shall observe to do therefore . . . " (v. 32). Let us ask the Lord to work in us "both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).
A path has been marked out from which we should not stray, neither "to the right hand or to the left" (vv. 32, 33). How often have we suddenly taken a step away from the path of obedience, attracted by an unknown object or frightened by an obstacle. Let us follow the example of Josiah, that young king whose devotion shines amidst the idolatrous darkness of his time. He is the only person of whom it is said that he walked "in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left" (2 Chronicles 34:2).