Deuteronomy 17:10
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:
And thou shalt do {H6213} according to the sentence {H6310}{H1697}, which they of that place {H4725} which the LORD {H3068} shall choose {H977} shall shew {H5046} thee; and thou shalt observe {H8104} to do {H6213} according to all that they inform {H3384} thee:
You will then act according to what they have told you there in that place which ADONAI will choose; you are to take care to act according to all their instructions.
You must abide by the verdict they give you at the place the LORD will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you,
And thou shalt do according to the tenor of the sentence which they shall show thee from that place which Jehovah shall choose; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they shall teach thee:
Cross-References
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Matthew 22:2
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, -
Matthew 22:3
And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
Commentary
Deuteronomy 17:10 is part of a passage (verses 8-13) that outlines the judicial system for ancient Israel, particularly concerning difficult legal disputes that local courts could not resolve. This verse emphasizes the absolute necessity of obedience to the rulings issued by the central religious and judicial authorities.
Context
This verse describes the process for handling cases too complex or controversial for local judges. Such matters were to be brought to "the place which the LORD shall choose," referring to the central sanctuary where the tabernacle (and later the Temple in Jerusalem) would be located. Here, the priests and judges (as mentioned in the preceding verse) would provide a definitive ruling based on God's law. This system was designed to ensure consistent justice and prevent individual or local interpretations from undermining the divine statutes. It highlights the importance of a centralized authority for interpreting and applying God's commands, setting a precedent for national unity and adherence to the law.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "sentence" is mishpat (ืึดืฉึฐืืคึธึผื), which encompasses concepts of judgment, justice, and legal decisions. It implies a definitive and binding ruling. The phrase "observe to do" (ืฉึธืืึทืจ ืึทืขึฒืฉืืึนืช, shamar la'asot) carries the sense of carefully guarding and diligently performing the instruction, emphasizing not just passive acceptance but active and precise execution of the judgment.
Related Scriptures
The concept of a "place which the LORD shall choose" is a recurring theme in Deuteronomy, pointing towards the future site of the Temple in Jerusalem (see Deuteronomy 12:5). This command for obedience to established authority finds echoes in the New Testament, where believers are called to submit to governing authorities (as seen in Romans 13:1) and spiritual leaders, recognizing that all authority ultimately derives from God.
Practical Application
Deuteronomy 17:10 teaches us the importance of respecting established authority and the wisdom of seeking definitive guidance in complex matters. In our own lives, whether in civil society or within the church, there are often designated leaders or bodies whose role is to interpret and apply principles for the common good. This verse encourages a spirit of humility and obedience to lawful rulings, recognizing that God desires order and justice. It reminds us that unity and proper functioning within any community depend on a willingness to abide by wise and divinely-guided counsel.
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