When my daughter was first a toddler, we began using these words to guide her, “Listen & Obey.” We continued this phrase with all four of our kids. We would say things like, “It’s time to go” or “It’s time to pick up your toys” and if there was some hesitation, we’d add “Please listen and obey.” If I could still see the mind thinking about whether they should obey or not, I might add a warning for what would happen if they chose to disobey. This was both a warning and a deterrent, trying to persuade them to obey the instructions they’d been given.
Many times they would choose to do the right thing and we would praise them and encourage them because they did the right thing. However, there were times when they chose to do what they thought was right, or simply what they wanted to do. In those moments, as a parent, we chose to correct those decisions quickly and sometimes severely.
I just finished going through the Torah (Genesis-Deuteronomy), as I was listening to the end of Deuteronomy I came to the blessings and curses. I’ve always struggled with this section, not knowing what to make of it. This time, I began to see the words of the covenant in a different light. God was instructing his people, as one would a child, how to live as the people of Yahweh.
“You have declared this day that [Yahweh] is your God and that you will walk in obedience to him, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws—that you will listen to him.” Deuteronomy 26:17
“Then Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel, “Be silent, Israel, and listen! You have now become the people of [Yahweh] your God.” Deuteronomy 27:9
Living for Yahweh looks different from the nations around them. He knows there are going to be moments when they are trying to decide whether they should obey Yahweh or do what they see as good and right in their own eyes. The things the other nations do may seem pleasing or beneficial to them. They may be tempted to follow in their ways, but the people of Yahweh are to be different.
The people of Yahweh, Israel, struggled with this all throughout their history as we read throughout the Old Testament. They often envied and chased after the ways of the other nations. They were really chasing after the blessings that God laid out for them in Deuteronomy by following Yahweh’s way of living, but they sought them through different means.
“Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of [Yahweh]. They served the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and the gods of Aram, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the Ammonites, and the gods of the Philistines. And because the Israelites forsook [Yahweh] and no longer served him” Judges 10:6
When they did, God would let them go and try this way of living. It would often lead to oppression and hardship for the people of Yahweh. This was Yahweh’s discipline: to let them fall into the hands of their enemies and remind them of their need for Him and the importance of living his way.
“He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and the Ammonites, who that year shattered and crushed them.” Judges 10:7-8
These were the warnings that he gave them in the beginning. Just like when I told my kids, if you choose to disobey, there will be consequences. God told the Israelites if they choose to disobey there will be consequences. Often I would read these as heavy-handed, vindictive judgments (admittedly sometimes I still struggle). However, I begin to see them as both warnings of what will happen and as a deterrent, trying to give His people motivation to obey.
What I’ve come to realize is that I’m not too much different from the Israelites, choosing to chase after the things of the world, hoping they’ll satisfy me like the Lord does. How many times have I chased after money, pleasure or comfort thinking that these things will lead to abundant life? In our culture and in our current times, we’re bombarded with messages to follow the ways of the world and enjoy the abundant life it offers. However, every time I find myself oppressed, enslaved, and in bondage.
Yet, our God is not far off. He allows us to follow these other desires even though he knows they won’t deliver on their promises, trusting that when we hit those hard places in our lives, we’ll turn back to him and see the blessing and abundance that one can experience living as the people of Yahweh. He’s right there waiting for us to call out to Him. There are times when discipline is necessary. There are times when I need to be taught and reminded how to walk as a child of Yahweh. I’ve learned his discipline is necessary to teach me how to walk in the obedience of sonship.
“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what child is not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:7-11
I don’t know how many times the Lord reminded me to obey through those times raising my children. Sometimes even as I’m saying the words to my children, I hear him say to me, “Ryan, listen and obey.” God used my children to teach me to listen and obey his voice as I’m instructing them to listen and obey my voice.
“Father, help me to listen to your voice and obey. Help me to remember that your way is the only way that leads to an abundant and blessed life. Thank you for your patience and grace as I continue to learn and grow to listen and obey.”
