Deuteronomy Chapter 10
Recovering after a Fall
A. God’s plan of recovery for Israel after the rebellion at Mount Sinai.
1. (Deuteronomy 10:1–5) Israel had to return to the Word of God, so God commanded new tablets of the law.
“At that time the LORD said to me, Hew for yourself two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto Me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood. And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest, and thou shalt put them in the ark. And I made an ark of shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in mine hand. And He wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the LORD gave them unto me. And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they be, as the LORD commanded me.”
a. “Hew for yourself two tables of stone like unto the first”:
When Moses shattered the original tablets, it was more than an outburst of anger, it was a symbolic act demonstrating Israel’s breaking of the covenant they had just agreed to. Their idolatry at the golden calf showed that they had already violated the very foundation of their relationship with God. Now, the Lord commanded Moses to cut two new tablets, signifying that though Israel broke the covenant, God in mercy would renew it. Restoration begins where the break occurred—at the Law.
b. “He wrote on the tables according to the first writing”:
God Himself rewrote the commandments, emphasizing that His Word had not changed, nor had His standard diminished because of their sin. Restoration did not come by new terms or a softer law, but by returning to what God originally spoke. This also pictures the inspiration of Scripture. Though God did not literally write every portion with His physical hand, the entirety of His Word was breathed by Him, perfectly guided and preserved through human authors, as stated in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
c. “And put the tables in the ark… and there they be”:
The tablets were placed in the ark, the very center of worship and the presence of God among His people. This revealed a vital principle for any recovery after sin: genuine restoration must begin with the Word of God and keep it at the center. Israel would not recover through emotion, ritual, or zeal, but through returning to the truth God had spoken. Later, in the days of King Josiah, revival broke out in Judah only when the neglected Book of the Law was rediscovered and obeyed (2 Kings 22–23). Likewise today, repentance and renewal among God’s people always begin with a renewed submission to His Word.
2. (Deuteronomy 10:6–9) God established an enduring priesthood to deal with Israel’s sin problem.
“(And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera: there Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest's office in his stead. From thence they journeyed unto Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Jotbath, a land of rivers of waters. At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto Him, and to bless in His name, unto this day. Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him.)”
a. “Where Aaron died… and Eleazar his son ministered as priest in his stead”:
This parenthetical note recalls the death of Aaron, Israel’s first high priest, and the succession of his son Eleazar. It is not a random travel record, but a theological reminder inserted into the narrative at this point to emphasize that Israel could not be reconciled to God without priestly mediation. After their sin with the golden calf and repeated rebellions, the people needed an appointed priest who could offer sacrifice, intercede on their behalf, and pronounce God’s blessing.
i. The establishment and continuation of the priesthood was God’s way of declaring to Israel, “You cannot approach Me in your own merit. You cannot atone for your own sin. You need a mediator who stands between you and Me.” If Israel rejected that mediator and depended on themselves, they would fall under judgment. Aaron’s death, and Eleazar’s appointment in his place, showed both the weakness of man and the faithfulness of God—though the priest may die, God ensures that the ministry of intercession continues.
b. “To stand before the LORD to minister unto Him, and to bless in His name”:
God separated the tribe of Levi for this task. They were chosen to carry the ark—the symbol of God’s covenant presence—to minister before Him in worship, to offer sacrifices, to intercede for the people, and to pronounce His blessing. Their service reminded Israel that fellowship with God was not automatic; it required atonement, representation, and obedience to God’s appointed way.
Just as the Levites had no land inheritance among their brethren because “the LORD is his inheritance,” their calling illustrated that their portion was God Himself. Their lives were devoted to His service, and their existence revolved around His presence and His Word.
This priestly ministry pointed forward to Jesus Christ, the perfect and eternal High Priest. After a time of rebellion, restoration still requires a priestly mediator. Jesus fulfills and surpasses the Levitical priesthood—He offered Himself as the final atoning sacrifice, He ever lives to make intercession for us in heaven, and He bestows blessing upon His people. Without His priestly work, no one could stand before a holy God.
3. (Deuteronomy 10:10–11) After restoration, God commanded Israel to move forward into the land of promise.
“As at the first time, I stayed in the mount forty days and forty nights; and the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also, and the LORD would not destroy thee. And the LORD said unto me, Arise, take thy journey before the people, that they may go in and possess the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give unto them.”
a. “Arise, take thy journey”:
Moses reminds Israel that he again spent forty days and forty nights on the mountain, interceding for them just as he did the first time after receiving the Law. The Lord heard his prayer and did not destroy the nation, though their sin with the golden calf deserved judgment. This reveals both the seriousness of their rebellion and the greatness of God’s mercy. But after forgiveness and restoration, God did not allow them to remain in spiritual paralysis. He commanded Moses: it was time to rise, to move forward, and to resume the journey toward the land God had promised.
This teaches a crucial truth—once the Word is restored and the priestly mediation is applied, God’s people must not linger in guilt or stagnation. Forgiveness is never meant to lead to passivity. God’s purpose still stands, and His people must get up and walk in it.
b. “That they may go in and possess the land”:
Restoration is incomplete if it does not lead to progress. Israel was not forgiven just to camp at the foot of Sinai forever; they were restored so they might take hold of the promise. God swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give them the land. Now, having been renewed in covenant, the nation was commanded to go forward in faith and obedience.
The same principle applies in the life of God's people today. It is not enough to simply return to the Word or acknowledge Christ’s priesthood—those must lead to movement, obedience, and laying hold of what God has called us to. When we are truly walking right with God again, we do not remain in the same place; we rise, we move forward, and we begin to possess the land—enter into His promises, serve in His will, and live with purpose.
B. What God Requires of Israel
1. (Deuteronomy 10:12–13) What the LORD requires of His people
“And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the LORD, and His statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?”
a. “To fear the LORD thy God”:
This is not a fear that causes us to run from God, but a holy reverence that makes us careful not to offend Him. It is the awareness that He is God and we are not, that He is holy and we are accountable to Him. This kind of fear produces humility, submission, and worship.
b. “To walk in all His ways”:
God does not only want belief in His existence, but obedience to His character. To “walk in His ways” speaks of patterning our daily conduct after His revealed will. It is to choose His path over our own, allowing His Word to govern how we live, speak, and respond.
c. “To love Him”:
Love for God is not merely emotional; it is an act of will. It is choosing to set our affection on Him above all else. God commands this love because it is the only right response to who He is and what He has done for His people.
d. “To serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul”:
True service is not half-hearted or reluctant. It involves every part of our being—both inward devotion and outward obedience. All of life is to be viewed as service unto Him, whether in worship, work, family, or daily responsibilities.
e. “To keep the commandments of the LORD, and His statutes”:
This means more than knowing God’s commandments. It means guarding them, treasuring them, obeying them, and refusing to compromise them. To “keep” His word is to let it dwell within us and to protect it from being ignored or altered.
f. “For thy good”:
Every command of God is for the ultimate benefit of His people. His laws are not burdens meant to suppress us, but gifts designed to protect, bless, and lead us into life. Even when His reasons are not understood, His heart is always for our good.
2. (Deuteronomy 10:14–15) Why God requires this from Israel
“Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’s thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and He chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.”
a. “Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers, to love them”:
Though God rules over heaven, earth, and all creation, He set His affection specifically on Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Out of sheer grace—not because of their merit—He chose them and their descendants to be His covenant people.
b. “You above all people, as it is this day”:
Israel’s election was a position of privilege, but also of responsibility. To be chosen by God meant that they were accountable to live in obedience, distinct from the nations, reflecting God’s character to the world. Great privilege before God always carries great obligation.
3. (Deuteronomy 10:16) What it takes to fulfill what God requires
“Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.”
a. “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart”:
Physical circumcision was commanded for every male in Israel on the eighth day, but that outward sign pointed to a far deeper spiritual reality. God was not satisfied with mere external obedience; He desired an inward cutting away of sin, stubbornness, and fleshly affections. To “circumcise the heart” means to remove the hardness and rebellion within, so that the heart becomes tender, responsive, and devoted to the LORD.
b. “And be no more stiffnecked”:
Israel had repeatedly shown a stubborn, unyielding heart toward God—like an ox that refuses to bow its neck to the yoke. God called them to abandon that defiant attitude. This same call is echoed later in Scripture: “Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart” (Jeremiah 4:4). Knowing the command alone is not enough; inward transformation is necessary.
i. God commanded what they could not accomplish in their own strength to drive them to dependence upon Him. Only God can change the heart, yet He commands us to seek it, desire it, and submit to it.
ii. Israel is described as having “uncircumcised hearts” in multiple passages (Leviticus 26:41; Jeremiah 9:26; Ezekiel 44:7, 9), proving that outward ritual without inner renewal is worthless before God.
4. (Deuteronomy 10:17–22) A call to obedience, reverence, and compassion
“For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; Him shalt thou serve, and to Him shalt thou cleave, and swear by His name. He is thy praise, and He is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen. Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.”
a. “The LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and terrible”:
The call to obedience is grounded in the majesty and supremacy of God. He is above every earthly and heavenly power. His greatness, justice, and holiness are the foundation for all moral requirements.
b. God’s character shapes our calling:
Because God is just—showing no partiality or accepting bribes—His people must practice justice. Because He cares for the fatherless, the widow, and the stranger, His people must show compassion. His character becomes the pattern for their conduct.
c. “Who hath done for thee these great and terrible things”:
Obedience is always rooted in remembering what God has already done. Israel saw His mighty works: deliverance from Egypt, provision in the wilderness, and preservation as a nation. If obedience is lacking, it is often because gratitude has faded.
d. “He is thy praise”:
This statement carries two truths:
He is the One we praise.
He is also the One who makes us praiseworthy. Any goodness, wisdom, or success found among God’s people is because of Him. All glory returns to Him.
