Choose to Obey

KEY VERSE: “All these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.” —Deuteronomy 28:2

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 28:1-6, 15-19, 64-66

GOD SPOKE TO the children of Israel through Moses, and explained to them that if they hearkened “diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments … that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations. (vs. 1) The history of that nation reveals that they failed to listen to God when he “spoke unto the fathers by the prophets” (Heb. 1:1) and instead of being ‘set on high’ they were cursed.

Paul further declared that God has “spoken to us by his Son,” and Jesus explained that the words which he spoke were not his, but the Father’s. (John 8:28; 12:49; 17:8) What particular message did Jesus have for us? What was taught by the voice of God speaking through him? We have in mind Jesus’ reply to the young rich man who asked what he must do to inherit eternal life. After learning from this young man that he was doing the best he could to keep the Jewish Law, Jesus said to him, “Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”—Matt. 19:21; Mark 10:21

This was the voice of God speaking through Jesus, explaining that those at this time who desire eternal life must sacrifice all their earthly possessions, and take up their cross and follow Jesus. This means following him into death. Paul explained this point further when he wrote, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”—Rom. 12:1

Other texts of Scripture reveal that our imperfect bodies are acceptable to God in that the offering is made on the basis of faith, trusting in the merit of Christ’s righteousness as a covering for our imperfections.

Jesus explained that those who take this step of full devotion to the Lord and were faithful in following in Jesus’ footsteps would also be ‘set on high’, they would have treasure in heaven. Here was a new thought to Jesus’ apostles. God’s voice through the holy prophets spoke mainly of marvelous earthly blessings or treasures. It was not until Jesus came that a heavenly hope was made known to God’s people.

The apostles, who had been listening to the conversation between Jesus and the rich young man, seemed somewhat concerned. Through Peter they reminded Jesus that they had left all and followed him, even as he had invited this young man to do, and now Peter asked, “What shall we have therefore?” (Matt. 19:27) It is apparent that the idea of treasure in heaven was new to them. They wanted a further explanation, and this Jesus graciously furnished.

In the next verse we find Jesus replying, “Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Here Jesus is explaining that their heavenly treasures would consist of being highly exalted to reign and judge with him.

Many are the statements of God’s Word bearing on this point. The Word testifies that those who suffer and die with Jesus will live and reign with him. These are also to be co-judges with Jesus during the world’s future Judgment Day, which will be “the times of restitution of all things.” (Acts 3:19-21) Jesus had not forgotten this feature of the divine plan. (I Cor. 6:2) And for the faithful followers of Jesus there will be a personal association with him in the kingdom. As he was exalted to the divine nature when raised from the dead, so will be his faithful followers.

While he was with his disciples, Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you. And … I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:2,3) What a truly blessed association this will be, and we are assured of its reality by the voice of God speaking through his beloved Son. May we always be on the alert to follow its leadings, regardless of what the cost might be, as these precious truths inspire us to faithfulness.

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