Laws and decrees, oh my!

In the future, when your son asks you, "What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the LORD our God has commanded you?" tell him: "We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Before our eyes the LORD sent miraculous signs and wonders--great and terrible--upon Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household. But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land that he promised on oath to our forefathers. The LORD commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the LORD our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. And if we are careful to obey all this law before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness." Deut 6:20-25

 

Why do we have commands and laws? We ask that at times, not wanting to reduce our faith to a set of rules. Or not wanting to have our freedom clipped. Why do we have the stipulations and decrees and laws?

 

Here's why: we were slaves and God set us free. We were captives and God gave us a marvelous abundant place. We fell in the wilderness but God kept his promises. When he asks us to obey the decrees and commandments, what have we already learned about him? That he is our redeemer, setting us free. We can trust him. The laws and decrees are given for our prosperity and life. We obey, not out of fear, but out of love.