The Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land. Moses gave a series of farewell speeches that are recorded in the book of Deuteronomy, which literally means “words.” Using almost 788,280 words (the name of the book seems pretty appropriate, doesn’t it?), Moses repeated the laws for the people who had been younger than 40 years old when the journey started.
Included in these sermons was wisdom he learned from 40 years of watching the Israelites follow God, then rebel, then repent, then follow God, then rebel. He applied that to his cautions for the next generation as they prepared to meet the current residents of Canaan: “Do not look on them with pity and do not serve their gods, for that will be a snare to you” (Deuteronomy 7:16). They didn’t take that wisdom to heart, and the Bible tells about a whole host of problems that followed.
Even though we live 3,500 years later, it’s easy to think that God’s priorities about our money, time, sexuality, or words are restrictive. Then we look at the people around us who don’t know God, love God, or follow his commands, and we might be tempted to follow them. Sometimes their lives look easier, their priorities seem more fun, and they don’t seem to suffer any consequences.
But that’s a shortsighted view, and you and I need to take Moses’ caution seriously. Once we destroy the snares, then we can follow the advice from Solomon: “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 23:17).
