Last Words
Why Deuteronomy Matters: Moses’ Final Words
Deuteronomy literally means “second law” (Deutero = second, Nomos = law). God’s people are standing on the edge of the Jordan River, looking into the land He promised them. After 40 wild years in the wilderness — manna from heaven, water from a rock, emotional highs and lows, epic failures and God’s unending faithfulness — Moses knows he himself will never enter the Promised Land. These are his last words, his will and testament, to the generation about to cross over. Imagine the fatherly/grandfatherly ache with which he speaks: “This is everything you need to know to live well with God in a new land.”
Deuteronomy is structured around three passionate, farewell speeches from Moses, and if you boil it all down, he gives four essential commands: Remember, Love, Fear, Hold Fast.
1. Remember: Draw Power from the Past
Moses knows the Promised Land will feel different from life in the wilderness. No more visible pillars of fire. No more manna falling from the sky. You’ll settle into routines, build cities, and enjoy “normal” life—a huge shift from survival mode. His warning? Don’t forget God when things get easy.
He says in Deuteronomy 8, don’t let comfort make you proud or self-sufficient—remember it was God who brought you out of Egypt, who led you through the wilderness, who provided everything you have.
Honestly, haven’t we experienced that in our own seasons? Wilderness seasons (think: 2020) slow everything down, make us desperate for God, and we see Him everywhere. But as life gets “back to normal,” the pace picks up, and the visible signs aren’t so obvious. It gets easy to go days—weeks even—forgetting Him.
Moses is urging us: Don’t let your heart grow numb. Remember who God is, what He’s done, and who you are as His people. Memory isn’t just personal—it’s corporate. We gather as the Church to remember together—through worship, teaching, communion—what God has done so we can stay grounded in our true identity.
2. Love: The Foundation of Obedience
One of the most famous verses in the Bible, the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5), commands us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.” That’s less a suggestion, more a radical command. But how can love be commanded?
Here’s the truth: God never compels us. Love is always a choice. But like a wise parent, God is saying, “I know what’s best for you — and it’s Me.” Before He ever asks for obedience, He calls for love. Why? Because love is the only motivation that can sustain long-term faithfulness, not fear of punishment or shame.
God’s command to love is deeply rooted in His prior love for us. After all, He spent 40 years proving His faithfulness in the wilderness. When we receive His love, it empowers us to love Him back — not out of duty or guilt, but genuine affection and trust.
3. Fear: A Healthy Reverence
Directly following the command to love, Moses says, “Fear the Lord your God and serve Him only” (Deut. 6:13). This isn’t the fear of punishment that keeps us self-focused and anxious. John writes in the New Testament that “Perfect love casts out fear,” and he’s talking about that first kind of self-protective terror.
But there’s another kind of fear: awe, reverence, profound respect. Think of standing at the edge of the ocean — those who love it are also those who respect its awesome power. We stand before a God who is holy, majestic, and breathtaking! In Jesus, we’re freed from dread or condemnation, but not from honoring Him with our whole lives. This healthy fear moves us to obey, not out of shame, but wanting to honor and reflect who He is in the world.
4. Hold Fast: Stick to God Like Glue
Finally, Moses’ parting charge is to “hold fast” to God (Deut. 10:20)—in Hebrew, it’s davak—stick together like glue. When you enter the land, you’ll find all sorts of things vying for your attention and devotion. Good things, bad things, idols—loud, demanding alternatives to the still, subtle voice of God.
Moses’ plea? Stubbornly persist in clinging to God above all else. There will always be tempting alternatives, but only God can satisfy. C.S. Lewis once said, “We are far too easily pleased,” settling for lesser joys when God offers us real, lasting satisfaction. The key to faithful living is to choose—over and over—to hold fast to Him, especially when He feels distant or silent.
Final Thoughts: Living as God’s People
Moses’ last words echo through the generations:
Remember. Love. Fear. Hold fast.
These are commands, yes — but they’re also invitations into a relationship with the living God, who has already shown us everlasting love. As we navigate the challenges of our modern lives, may we draw on the past, love deeply, show reverence, and stubbornly stick to Him, knowing that He is always at work—even when we can’t always see Him.
Let’s root ourselves in these ancient truths as we walk into whatever Promised Land God is leading us toward.
Thanks for journeying together—see you next week!
—Josh
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