Comments on Deuteronomy Chapter 7
The pivotal chapter for the whole book of Deuteronomy, indeed, the whole
of the Old Testament with regards to Israel is chapter 7, especially verses 6 through 24,
Here the LORD espouses His great Love for Israel. He goes on further
to make some very remarkable promises to Israel as a nation.
 | Israel is a set apart people - to be treasured by the LORD, vs 6
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| The LORD set His love on Israel because He loved Israel and because of
His promise to Israel's forefathers, vs 9.
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| The LORD will prosper Israel and multiply her - He will cause the ground
to be fruitful for her, vs 13.
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| Israel will prosper above all peoples, vs 14.
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| The LORD will be the physical health of Israel, 15.
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| Israel will be victorious above her enemies, vs 16 - 24.
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The Central Theme of Deuteronomy
The central theme of Deuteronomy is that God loves Israel, He expects
Israel to love Him in return and to prove that love by obedience to His Word.
God Loved Us First.
Deut. 7:6-9
For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you
out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.
[7] The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more
numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. [8] But
it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he
brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the
power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. [9] Know therefore that the LORD your God
is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of
those who love him and keep his commands.
God Expects Us to Return His Love.
Deut. 4:29
But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for
him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Deut. 10:12
And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD
your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your
heart and with all your soul,
(Text in NIV)
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