FULLY COMMITTED
Deuteronomy 30:11–20
Deuteronomy 30 comes right after the covenant blessings and curses in chapter 28 and Moses’ warning in chapter 29. Israel has been told what will happen if they obey or disobey.
Moses foresees that Israel will fail and experience the curses, including exile among the nations. Now, in chapter 30, Moses provides words of hope. Despite exile and judgment, God’s mercy and restoration are still possible.
If they remember God’s words and repent, God promises restoration. He will gather them from the nations and bring them back to the land. Unlike the older generation that had a choice set before them and chose death, this generation would need to continue choosing life through obedience and loyalty to God (Josh. 24:15).
The Command (11–14)
Moses is concluding his final address before Israel enters the promised land. He issues a command to Israel to obey and serve God with all their hearts.
In this passage he stresses that God’s commands are not too hard or distant but are within reach. The people are presented with a clear choice: life or death, blessing or curse.
He emphasizes that God’s commands are not mysterious or unreachable. They don’t need to ascend to heaven or cross the sea; it is already near, “in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may follow it.”
God makes His way of life accessible. The problem would not be distance but willingness.
The Commitment (15–18)
In Hebrew thought, prosperity was not limited to material things. It also referred to living joyfully. In contrast, adversity was related to experiences that were hurtful and resulted in suffering.
Moses highlighted three benefits of following God. His people would live in the land, multiply in the land and be blessed in the land. This choice was a far cry from the earlier generation that lived as slaves in Egypt and then missed God’s prosperity because of disobedience.
This generation would have two paths set before them — life and prosperity if they love and obey God or death and destruction if they turn away to idols.
The message was clear: A covenant relationship would require loyalty, not half-hearted devotion.
The Challenge (19–20)
The chapter ends with a dramatic appeal: Choose life by loving the Lord, walking in His ways and keeping His commands.
Moses calls heaven and earth to be witnesses, underscoring the covenant’s seriousness.
No human or heavenly being could deny that God was giving His people ample opportunity to choose Him. And the time to choose was “today.”
The choice was simple and direct. Life and prosperity come from obedience, death and destruction from turning away.
The ultimate choice is framed not just as keeping rules but as loving God and clinging to Him, the true Source of life. We are called to actively choose God’s way, not to drift passively.
Moses ends by stating that the decision they would make that day would affect not only them but also subsequent generations. It was more than a mental assent. It had to be a total life commitment. We are called to make that same decision today.
By Darrell Nimmo
Retired Baptist pastor living in Goodlettsville, Tennessee
