Psalm 25 [8]: Devotional.

10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

We saw previously the manner in which God deals with sinners He wills to deliver from death. For He subdues their unruly passions and errant notions, and makes them obedient to His laws and ordinances. Truly God deals mercifully with sinners when apart from their merits He freely forgives their sin and brings them into communion with Himself, but the manner ought to be noted and observed carefully, for God does not invite sinners to partake of His goodness unless He also changes them inwardly, causing them not only to serve Him, but to do so with joy, gladness and love. And it is not so much merely that those taken for God’s people are found with the natural eye serving God and doing His will, but even according to the heart, they find His service delightful, and are well pleased with the manner in which God treats them. And this is the import of the next verse, even that God brings us into subjection, and yet it is a pleasant subjection, not as slaves who sweat and toil without sweetness, refreshment or reward, but as friends, so that even as He is truly to be feared and reverenced as a Father and a master, as it is written, yet He does not call us to labor without making our way pleasant and filling our soul with delights, both the pleasures of this world, and of His comforting grace. Therefore does David exclaim boldly, and with unswerving loyalty the sweetness of the paths of true religion, knowing that God dealt well with Him, and he as His servant was well pleased and content to maintain his devotion of service and gratitude. Therefore as we go forth in obedience, though we are called to lay down our lives for the sake of the truth, let us as David know that to keep the covenant and the testimonies is the most pleasant path, and none that serve God or put their hand to His holy work do so in vain or without proper recompense.

Calvin,

This verse is erroneously interpreted by those who think that the doctrine of the law is here described as true and sweet, and that those who keep it feel it indeed to be so, as if this passage were of the same import as that which was spoken by Jesus Christ,
“My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
(Matthew 11:30)
Such an interpretation is not only strained, but may also be easily disproved by many similar passages in which the expression, The ways of the Lord, is taken in a passive signification, for the paternal manner in which he acts towards those who are his people, in defending and cherishing them; nay, even for his whole conduct in the government and direction of the affairs of this world. The amount of what is said is, that God acts in such a manner towards his people, as that, in all respects, they may find from experience that he is merciful and faithful. David is not here speaking of the character in which God acts towards mankind in general, but what his own children find him to be. We have already seen in Psalms 18:26, that he is stern and severe towards the obstinate and rebellious; and even though he act with kindness towards them, in mercifully exercising forbearance towards them notwithstanding their iniquity, yet we find, that so far from seeking their full enjoyment in him, and trusting to his promises, they have no sense of his goodness. Nay, as soon as any adversity befalls them, they either become passionate and fretful, accuse God of acting cruelly towards them, or else complain that he is deaf to their prayers; and when they enjoy prosperity, they despise and neglect him, and as much as they are able flee from his presence. David, therefore, in speaking of the mercy and faithfulness of God, justly describes them as a treasure peculiar to the godly; as if he had said, We have no reason to be afraid that God will deceive us if we persevere in his covenant. These words, covenant and testimony, are of the same import, unless that the second is added as an explanation of the first. They comprehend the whole doctrine of the law, by which God enters into covenant with his chosen people.

Dickson,

The property of the believer, is to cleave to the covenant, and to what the Lord hath set down in his word, They keep his covenant, and his testimonies; and will not part with them whatsoever come. 7. Whosoever do hold fast the covenant of grace, and do make conscience of obeying Gods word, they may be sure that all their troubles, and variety of ex∣ercise is nothing but Gods way, to make them partake of Gods promises; for unto such all the pathes of the Lord are mercy and truth.

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Opening Prayer.

Lesson 29: The Contents of Holy Scripture – The Law: Deuteronomy

Westminster Confession of Faith 1.2

Introduction: Deuteronomy 1-4

The final sermon of Moses, the man and prophet of God, exhorting the people to covenantal obedience before he dies and they enter the promised land. The covenant is reiterated, the law is re-applied, the requirements of obedience and behavior are confirmed, and their disobedience is made all the more detestable.

Title and Meaning

  • Hebrew: Devarim – “These are the words”
  • Greek (LXX): Deuteronomion – “Second Law”

This is not a new law but a restating and applying of the law given at Sinai for a new generation (see Matt. 5:17; Mal. 4:4; Jer. 11:1-8).

I. Historical Prologue: God’s Faithfulness in the Past (Chapters 1–4)

  • Israel’s journey from Sinai to Kadesh-Barnea to Moab
  • Rebellion remembered: The failure at Kadesh and wandering in the wilderness
  • Victory given: Over Sihon and Og
  • Appeal to obedience: “Take heed… keep thy soul diligently” (4:9)
  • Key Verse: “The LORD thy God is a merciful God…” (4:31)

II. Covenant Stipulations: The Law Restated and Applied (Chapters 5–26)

A. The Ten Commandments Reaffirmed (Chapter 5)

  • Moses recalls the voice of God at Sinai
  • Israel’s fear and need for a Mediator

B. The Shema and Love for God (Chapter 6)

  • “Hear, O Israel…”
  • God requires sincere obedience, not mere ritual

C. Warnings Against Idolatry and Forgetting God (Chapters 7–11)

  • Remember God’s deliverance
  • “Beware lest thou forget…” (8:11)
  • Obedience brings blessing; disobedience brings discipline

D. Case Laws: Social, Religious, and Civil Application (Chapters 12–26)

  • Warnings against idolatrous worship (Chapter 12)
  • Avoiding seducing spirits; false teachers are put to death (Chapter 13)
  • Clean and unclean food, tithing, sabbatical years, feasts
  • Laws of justice, kingship, prophecy, warfare
  • Mercy to the poor, justice in trade
  • Covenant loyalty in everyday life

Purpose: Apply the moral law to daily life and national integrity

III. Covenant Renewal and Exhortation (Chapters 27–30)

  • Chapter 27: Blessings and curses to be proclaimed on Mount Gerizim and Ebal
  • Chapter 28: Blessings for obedience (vv. 1–14); Curses for disobedience (vv. 15–68)
  • Chapter 29: Covenant renewal at Moab
  • Chapter 30: Call to choose life over death, blessing over curse
    • Key Verse: “I have set before you life and death… therefore choose life.” (30:19)

IV. Moses’ Final Acts and Death (Chapters 31–34)

  • Chapter 31: Joshua appointed; Law given to priests; future apostasy foretold
  • Chapter 32: Song of Moses—a poetic summary of Israel’s history and sin
  • Chapter 33: Moses’ final blessing on the tribes
  • Chapter 34: Moses’ death and burial; no prophet like him had arisen.

Key Themes in Deuteronomy

  • Covenant and Law: God binds Himself to His people by covenant; we are commanded solemnly to walk in His ways.
  • Love and Obedience: Obedience flows naturally from love (6:5; 10:12).
  • Teaching the Next Generation: Parents must instruct their children (6:6–9).
  • Blessing and Curse, the Antithesis: Life is found in clinging to God (30:20).
  • God’s Sovereignty and Mercy: He chooses Israel by grace (7:6–8; 9:5).

Conclusion

Closing Prayer.

YouTube Audio: https://youtu.be/mqOR1lkQ65g

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