“And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the Lord shall choose shall shew thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee.”
Context: Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible and is part of the Pentateuch, also known as the Torah. It contains Moses’ final addresses to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. Deuteronomy 17 specifically focuses on laws regarding the administration of justice and the conduct of rulers.
Judicial Authority: In verse 8, God instructs the people to bring difficult cases to the priests and judges in the place the Lord has chosen. Verse 9 sets the requirement that they must abide by the judgment they receive. Then, in verse 10, it emphasizes that the people must follow the sentence or decision given by those judges and act according to their instructions.
The Chosen Place: The passage mentions “the place which the Lord shall choose.” In the Old Testament, this refers to the central sanctuary chosen by God, which was eventually established in Jerusalem. This emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance from the authorized representatives of God’s law.
Obedience: The verse emphasizes the need to observe and do all that the judges inform the people. This highlights the significance of obedience to God’s appointed authorities. By adhering to their judgments, the Israelites would maintain order and ensure justice was upheld among the community.
Application: Although this passage was specifically addressed to the ancient Israelites, there are several lessons we can draw from it today. It teaches the importance of submitting to lawful authority, respecting the decisions made by those appointed to administer justice, and obeying God’s instructions through His chosen representatives.
Spiritual Application: As Christians, we can apply the principles behind this verse by recognizing the authority of God’s Word and following the guidance of those in spiritual leadership. It reminds us to respect and submit to the teachings of the Bible and the instructions given by pastors, elders, and other spiritual mentors who are entrusted with teaching and shepherding God’s people.
Overall, Deuteronomy 17:10 teaches the Israelites, and by extension, us today, the importance of honoring and obeying God’s appointed authorities. It encourages obedience to the decisions made by those responsible for administering justice, as well as following the instructions given by spiritual leaders in alignment with God’s Word.
