Deuteronomy 10: God’s Love and the Call to Fear Him — New Hearts for the Covenant People
- Pr Enos Mwakalindile
- Oct 2
- 3 min read
Series Motto: “Walking with God: From Wandering in the Wilderness to Covenant Faithfulness”
Introduction
Have you ever found yourself failing and in need of a second chance? Deuteronomy 10 begins with God giving Moses new tablets after Israel broke the first ones through the sin of the golden calf. It is a chapter of renewal and mercy. This follows the warning of chapter 9 where Moses dismantled pride and emphasized that salvation is by grace alone. Now we encounter God restoring the covenant with new tablets, highlighting that His love demands reverence, holy fear, and a humble heart. Here we find an inner invitation: to circumcise our hearts and live in love and justice before God.
Summary of Deuteronomy 10
New Tablets of the Covenant (10:1–5): After rebellion, God rewrote the Ten Commandments — a sign of mercy and the continuation of covenant.
The Journey and the Ark (10:6–9): Priests and Levites were entrusted to carry the Ark of the Covenant, a sign of God’s presence among them.
Call to Fear God (10:12–13): Moses asks: “What does the LORD your God require of you?” The answer: to fear Him, to love Him, to serve Him with all your heart, and to keep His commandments.
God’s Love for the Vulnerable (10:14–22): God is Lord of heaven and earth, yet He does justice for the orphan, widow, and foreigner. Israel is called to love the foreigner, for they themselves were strangers in Egypt.
Historical Context
After the sin at Horeb, there was danger that the covenant would be broken entirely. Yet God gave new tablets, showing His mercy. In the ancient world, many nations saw their gods as harsh and merciless. The God of Israel, however, is revealed as merciful and loving, caring for the weak. This set Israel apart as God’s covenant people.
Textual and Linguistic Notes
“Circumcise your hearts” (10:16): A metaphor for removing inner hardness to give God space. It dismantles empty ritual and emphasizes true obedience. Paul echoes this, saying that a pure heart is the true sign of covenant (Rom. 2:29).
“The LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords” (10:17): Declares Yahweh supreme above all earthly and spiritual powers. In the ancient world each god was thought to rule a territory, but here Yahweh is proclaimed ruler of all (Dan. 2:47; Rev. 19:16).
“He loves the foreigner” (10:18): Unique in Scripture: God is known for defending the powerless. For Israel, it recalled their own journey in Egypt. Jesus reinforced this covenant love toward strangers and the weak (Matt. 25:35).
“Serve Him with all your heart” (10:12): “Heart” here means the whole self — will, mind, and emotions. Moses stresses that true worship is not outward ritual but full devotion. Jesus restated this as the greatest commandment (Matt. 22:37).
Theological Reflection
Mercy of renewal. God provided new tablets after Israel’s sin, showing that His grace is greater than their rebellion (Rom. 5:20). This points to the cross, where humanity’s great failure met God’s greater mercy.
Holiness of the heart. Circumcision of the heart is removing stubbornness and allowing the Spirit to renew (Rom. 2:29). In the grand narrative, it anticipates the new covenant where the law is written on hearts (Jer. 31:33).
God of justice and love. He is Lord of heaven and earth yet cares for the marginalized (James 1:27). In Jesus this was fulfilled as He lifted the despised and gave them honor (Luke 4:18–19).
Transformative love for society. Israel was called to love the foreigner because they themselves were once foreigners (10:19). This covenant love overflows into social justice and hospitality, becoming a mark of God’s people.
Practical Applications
Receive God’s second chances. Your failures are not the end — His mercy writes new tablets in your life.
Circumcise your heart. Let go of stubbornness and open yourself to God’s renewing Spirit.
Practice covenant love. Defend and love the vulnerable: widows, orphans, foreigners, and the marginalized.
Live with reverent fear. Serve God with all your heart — not ritual alone but full devotion.
Spiritual Exercises
Meditate: Which areas of your heart need “circumcision”?
Pray: Thank God for new chances and ask Him to soften your heart.
Act: Show love today to someone marginalized, remembering Israel’s call to love the foreigner.
Prayer & Blessing
Merciful God, who rewrites tablets of grace, give us new hearts. Circumcise our stubbornness and fill us with love and reverence. Teach us to defend the weak and to serve You with all our heart. Amen.
Invitation
We invite readers to share their reflections on this lesson. Pass it on to encourage others in God’s covenant love and mercy.
➡️ Next lesson: Deuteronomy 11 — Loving God and Choosing Life. Moses will emphasize blessing and curse, life and death, and the choice to love God. Don’t miss it.
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