Weekly Reflection – The Word of Life

When Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel, he said to them, “Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you shall command your sons to observe carefully, even all the words of this law. For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life. And by this word you will prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess.”

— Deuteronomy 32:45-47

In this passage, Moses was laying down his mantle of leadership and Joshua was taking his up. However, both men were of the same mind. Even though there was a change in authority, there was no change in the divine command.

As preparations were made to enter the Promised Land, Moses reminded Israel that the Word of God was their very being—their source of life! Moses desired God’s people to live by the Word that he had imparted to them as the God of Israel had commanded. He implored them to hold fast to the Lord’s precepts with a righteous jealousy, so as not to forget their bountiful benefits.

The Lord, His Word, and life itself, are bound together—when God’s people choose to follow Him, heed His voice, and obey His commands, then we are rewarded with His abundant life.