(REFLECTIONS ON Deuteronomy 32:44-52)

45 When Moses finished reciting all these words to all Israel, 46 he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. 47 They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”

Israel is to hear all the words recited by Moses, written in song for them all to remember. They are to take to heart all the words so that they can pass them down to their children to continue to obey God. This song of Moses is to serve as a reminder, generation after generation, of Israel’s covenant relationship with God.

All these words are to be recited, not just a summary, not just a highlight, but all these words and Israel is to command their children, just as Moses commanded them, to obey carefully all the words. Take to heart all the words means that there is a level of focus, commitment, and seriousness.

They are not to change the words using words they like better, and they are not just to share the words that they agree with, but they are to take to heart all the words and pass them down. These words, are not just to remain as words somewhere in the back of their minds, written somewhere but forgotten, but Moses reminds them, “They are not just idle words for you—they are your life.”

Brothers and sisters, how do we view the Bible? How seriously to take the words in the Bible? Do we take to heart all the words? Or do we take what we like and leave out what we don’t? Do we pass them down to the next generation? Not just some of the words, but all these words?

Why is this important? Because they are not just idle words for you—they are your life. They are not idle words means that they are meant for action, God’s Word is meant for action, requires a response, for they are your life.

They are your life means that we are talking about spiritual life and death, which is not a game, but a reality greater than our sense of reality, and to be taken seriously. We should take all these words to heart for they are our life. These are the words of life, not just for this life, but more importantly for the next.

Take to heart all the words…they are your life.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy 32