◄ What Does Deuteronomy 10:14 Mean? ►

"Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it.

Deuteronomy 10:14(NASB)

Verse of the Day

God is not man, but the eternal Sovereign Ruler of heaven and earth. He is the universal Creator of all and the omnipotent God Who dwells in unsearchable light. Without question, the Lord our God belongs to heaven above and inhabits the highest heaven. He rules the farthest reaches of the earth, and He alone is deserving of our honour and praise.

This was the important message that Moses sought to get across to the people of Israel, as the day of his death drew closer. For 40 years, Moses had been raised in Pharaoh's sumptuous palaces before spending the next 40 years as a shepherd in the barren deserts of Midian. All this was in preparation for his leadership role during Israel's 40 year-long wilderness wanderings.

Moses had been refused entry into the Promised Land of Canaan due to his disobedience when he struck the rock for a second time - instead of obeying God's clear instruction to take up his staff and speak to the rock. The rock that Moses struck, represented the Son of God Who is the Rock of our salvation, for He was struck once for all, upon the Cross.

And so, just prior to his fast approaching death on the top of Mount Nebo, Moses urgently reminded God's covenant people of the important promises they had made to the Lord, nearly 40 years earlier. He warned them of the consequences of their disobedience and reminded them of the privileged position they held - as the covenant people of God.

Moses had already reminded them of God's mighty acts between Horeb and Beth Peor and of their disobedience at Kadesh Barnea, when unbelief prevented them from entering the Promised Land the first time. He recalled God's faithfulness in delivering them out of the hands of many enemies. He exhorted them to obey the Law, resist idolatry, and trust in the Lord - their faithful God Who brought them out of the land of Egypt.

Moses reminded them of the covenant they made with the Lord on Mount Sinai, by rehearsing the whole Law in their ears - which included the moral code, the food stipulations, the cleanliness and heath statutes, the priestly regulation, and sacrificial requirements - together with essential elements regarding the feasts of the Lord. They were to trust in the Lord in humble obedience and obey His commandments. They were to remember His faithfulness and to circumcise their hearts, for He had shown great mercy and faithfulness to His people despite their waywardness.

Moses knew that failure to obey the Lord would result in severe punishment for the people of Israel, for God's covenant with His people was conditional upon them obeying His Word... and so here in this verse, Moses restated the sovereign authority of God over the heaven, the earth, and all His creatures - especially the nation of Israel who had been chosen to be His witnesses to the world and be named as His eternal inheritance. And so Moses cried out, "Behold - to the LORD your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it."

The Lord our God is distinct from His creation. He not only created the universe but owns it... and all that it contains belongs to Him. By grace, He initiated a special and unique relationship with Israel who were called to fear Him, to love Him, to serve Him, and to keep His commands - which were designed for their good and not for evil.

The truth in this verse remains to this day and is equally precious to the New Testament Church in this Christian dispensation. For, like Israel, the Church has been called by God to go into all the world and preach the gospel of grace to all people. For - to the LORD our God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it. Praise His holy name!

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are a good and gracious God Who deserves our never-failing worship and thankful praise for all that You have done in our lives, by keeping Your promises to Israel and sending Jesus, Your only begotten Son, to be the propitiation for our sins and for the sin of all the whole world. You are indeed a great and mighty God Who alone is deserving of our honour and praise. In Jesus' name, AMEN.