In our house, we have a fireproof lockbox in which we keep important documents. Some documents are important legally (e.g., birth certificates, marriage license, will). Others are important relationally (e.g., love letters, family pictures).

At Mount Sinai (called “Horeb” in this passage), God revealed His covenant with Israel, including the laws and decrees. The foundation of this covenant was the Ten Commandments (v. 13). These laws and decrees were important to Israel both legally and relationally. Israel’s most important and precious privilege was their relation- ship with God. Their faithfulness to God would be their source of success and flourishing in the land of Canaan. They would not take possession of the land because of their military might or skill, but because of their humble obedience to the Lord (v. 1).

When they faithfully obeyed the covenant, they would be different. Other nations would sit up and take notice: “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people” (v. 6). Their relationship with the Lord would be a witness to the world. The Law of God was a gift that set them apart. That is why it was vital for Israel to remember, obey, and pass on their knowledge of God from generation to generation. They were to “teach them to your children and to their children after them” (v. 9).

As followers of Jesus today, we also should be different. Not because of our own wisdom or intelligence, but because of our relationship with God. The apostle Peter reminded the church, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood…that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). That is why we should “live such good lives among the pagans that…they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (1 Peter 2:12).

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