Lately, I have increasingly appreciated the various Bible translations as I have looked to expand my knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures. This is especially true today as we look at Deuteronomy 7:11. Notice the differences and how they could impact biblical insight:
“Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them” (Deuteronomy 7:11 KJV).
“You shall therefore be careful to do the commandment and the statutes and the rules that I command you today” (Deuteronomy 7:11 ESV).
“Therefore keep thou the commandments, and ceremonies, and dooms, which I command to thee today, that thou do them” (Deuteronomy 7:11 Wycliffe).[1]
There are two wordings that I found engaging:
“Therefore be careful to do…” much better than “thou shalt therefore keep the commandments….” It just seems to add more vigilance to God’s desire for obedience.
“…and dooms” (Wycliffe) rather than “judgments” (KJV). Doom, for me, brings a weightier concern than judgments.
To Be Careful
To be careful means to be cautious in one’s actions and watchful, guarded…circumspect. Paul writes to the Ephesians, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15, 16 NASB).
We must understand that our walk is inward and outward; it is inward by faith in Christ and outward by our behavior among men. Thus, we must be careful of our inward man and outward actions.
This is why Moses articulates so plainly those things Israel needed to do: commands (the Law, KJV), statues (ESV) (appointments—that is, feasts, seasons, etc.), and dooms (Wycliffe) (verdicts, specifically to pronounce a sentence).
By application, it means for us to keep His commands (to love the Lord…), His statutes (appointments—meeting with Him and the brethren); and His dooms—avoiding and destroying those things that could ultimately destroy us.
Such obedience won’t come by happenstance or mere coincidence; instead, it will take our diligence coupled with His grace that will allow us to please Him. One commentator wrote: “This energy of the grace and holiness of the faithful covenant God was a powerful admonition to keep the divine commandments.”[2]
It’s that energy of grace that Paul shared with Titus, “For the [remarkable, undeserved] grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly (immoral) desires, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives [lives with a purpose that reflects spiritual maturity] in this present age” (Titus 2:11-12 AMP) and in so doing, prohibits the dooms to cloud our lives!
Reflect with me today on the carefulness to obey His Word.
And then ask, “Just what is the energy that motivates my obedience?”
