These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, promised you. Deuteronomy 6:1-3
In the book of Deuteronomy, while passing the mantle of leadership to Joshua, Moses outlines to a new generation why God gave them all the rules and commandments.
SECURITY & PROTECTION: Children who have lots of rules in their home feel secure. Children who are allowed to do what they want and given too much freedom get in trouble. God wants to give his children guidelines, structure and boundaries to protect those He loves. God has many rules because there are many ways to sin. He wants to be clear and thorough. He covers all the bases.
PROSPERITY & LONG LIFE: God indicates that if we obey him, we be fruitful and multiply, increasing in wealth and sustenance. Why? A reckless life wastes resources and money. A wise life invests in the right things that pay off later on. This could be about money, but it’s more about living a life that has value. (Deuteronomy 6:3, 7:13)
LEGACY: God is concerned about our legacy, asking us to pass those rules on to our children. He wants them to be blessed too. (Deuteronomy 6:7)
ENEMIES: God recognizes that there are enemies out there that want to destroy us and tear our families apart. Rules give us boundaries as to who to invite into our lives and who to keep out. (Deuteronomy 8:20)
LOVE: Knowing what God likes and does not like helps us to love him better. Obedience to rules says “I love you.” God wants to love us, so he sends us the way to do that through the commandments.
If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the LORD your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your ancestors. He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He will bless the fruit of your womb, the crops of your land—your grain, new wine and olive oil—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you. Deuteronomy 7:12-13
