Deuteronomy 10
New Tablets and What God Requires
Overview
Deuteronomy 10 recounts the making of new covenant tablets, the setting apart of Levites, and summarizes what God requires: fear, love, obedience, circumcised hearts, and care for the vulnerable.
Introduction
Deuteronomy 10 moves from Israel's failures to God's gracious renewal. After the golden calf, God instructs Moses to make new tablets—the covenant continues despite rebellion. The chapter recounts the setting apart of the Levites, then transitions to one of Scripture's most beautiful summaries of what God truly wants: not mere ritual but hearts circumcised to love Him, and lives that care for the vulnerable as God does.
New Tablets Made (Verses 1-5)
[1-5] The LORD told Moses: "Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and come up to me on the mountain. Make an ark of wood. I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke, and you shall put them in the ark." Moses made an ark of acacia wood, cut two stone tablets, went up the mountain, and the LORD wrote the Ten Commandments on them. Moses came down and put the tablets in the ark he had made, where they remain.
- New tablets: The covenant is renewed, not abandoned.
- Moses cuts, God writes: Human and divine cooperation.
- Same words: The law doesn't change after failure.
- Ark as container: The tablets are preserved in the covenant chest.
- Where they remain: Still there in Moses' time.
Aaron's Death and Eleazar's Succession (Verses 6-7)
[6-7] (The people traveled from Beeroth Bene-jaakan to Moserah. There Aaron died and was buried, and Eleazar his son ministered as priest in his place. From there they journeyed to Gudgodah, then to Jotbathah, a land with flowing streams.)
- Parenthetical note: A travel notice with Aaron's death.
- Eleazar succeeds: The priesthood continues.
- Flowing streams: A place of refreshment.
The Levites Set Apart (Verses 8-9)
[8-9] At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant, to stand before the LORD to minister and bless in His name. Therefore Levi has no portion or inheritance with his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance.
- Levitical functions: Carrying ark, ministering, blessing.
- No territorial inheritance: Their portion is different.
- The LORD is his inheritance: God Himself is their reward.
Moses' Second Forty Days (Verses 10-11)
[10-11] Moses stayed on the mountain forty days and nights as before. The LORD listened to Moses and was not willing to destroy Israel. The LORD said: "Arise, go on your journey at the head of the people, so that they may go in and possess the land."
- Listened to Moses: Intercessory prayer effective.
- Not willing to destroy: Mercy prevailed.
- Journey resumes: Forward movement restored.
What Does the LORD Require? (Verses 12-13)
[12-13] "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require 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, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?"
- "What does the LORD require?": Echoed in Micah 6:8">Micah 6:8.
- Fear: Reverent awe before God's holiness.
- Walk in His ways: Pattern life after God's character.
- Love: Heartfelt devotion, not mere compliance.
- Serve with heart and soul: Total engagement.
- For your good: God's commands benefit the obeyer.
God's Greatness and Care (Verses 14-18)
[14-18] To the LORD belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth and all that is in it. Yet the LORD set His heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them—you—above all peoples. Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn. For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.
- Heaven of heavens: Even the highest heaven belongs to God.
- Yet He set His heart: The universal God chose Israel specifically.
- Circumcise your heart: Not just physical mark but inner transformation.
- God of gods: Supreme over all powers.
- No partiality or bribe: Perfect justice.
- Justice for vulnerable: Fatherless, widows, foreigners receive His care.
Love the Sojourner (Verses 19-22)
[19-22] "Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt." Fear the LORD your God, serve Him, hold fast to Him, and swear by His name. He is your praise; He is your God, who has done for you these great and terrifying things your eyes have seen. Your fathers went down to Egypt seventy persons, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars of heaven.
- Love the sojourner: Imitate God's care for foreigners.
- You were sojourners: Remember your own vulnerability.
- He is your praise: God Himself is what Israel boasts about.
- Seventy to stars: Dramatic multiplication fulfills Genesis 15:5">God's promise to Abraham.
Key Takeaways
- Covenant continues after failure: New tablets show God's persisting commitment.
- What God requires is relationship: Fear, love, walk, serve—not mere ritual.
- Circumcise the heart: Inner transformation is the goal, not external conformity.
- Care for vulnerable imitates God: Love for the marginalized reflects divine character.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean practically to "circumcise your heart"—to have inner transformation?
- How do fear, love, walking, and serving work together in your relationship with God?
- In what ways can you imitate God's care for the fatherless, widow, and foreigner?
- How does remembering your own vulnerability shape how you treat others?
For Contemplation: To the LORD belong the heavens and earth—yet He set His heart on your ancestors and chose you. The infinite God has intimate affection. Consider what it means that the One who owns everything chooses to love you specifically.
Note: This Bible study was generated by an AI assistant to help readers engage with Scripture. While efforts were made to ensure accuracy, readers should verify all interpretations and cross-references independently. This content is intended to supplement, not replace, careful personal Bible study and the guidance of qualified teachers.