It usually goes something like this…
Parent: I would like you to get your room cleaned up.
Child: It’s my room. Why do I have to clean it?
Parent: Because I said so. That’s why.
Or…
Child: All my friends have a tattoo, so why can’t I get one?
Parent: I told you, you’re not getting a tattoo.
Child: But that’s not a reason! WHY can’t I get one?
Parent: Why? Because I said so.
Because I said so. It sounds so final, doesn’t it? The one in authority is under no obligation to explain him or herself and is putting an end to the discussion. Case closed. Just do as you’re told.
I’ve heard people say that our obedience to God should be like that. God says it. We don’t question it. We just do it.
On the hand, that’s true. God is the ultimate authority. He’s Creator and we’re creation. Creation doesn’t call the shots. Creator does.
Yes, God is the ultimate authority, but He’s also the ultimate Father. And a good parent doesn’t just bark commands at his children and expect them to salute and fall in line. That’s not the way God does it either.
In Deuteronomy 4, God is giving instructions to the nation of Israel right before they enter the Promised Land. Even though God had every right to give His commands and expect them to obey, He does something more. He explains Himself.
In chapter 4, we see the words “so that” repeated seven times…
Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. (verse 1)
See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” (verses 5-6)
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when he said to me, “Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.” (verse 9-10)
You saw no form of any kind the day the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire. Therefore watch yourselves very carefully, so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol” (verses 15-16a)
You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other. (verse 35)
Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time. (verses 39-40)
Why obey God’s commands?
“so that you may live”
“so that…you may show your wisdom and understanding”
“so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart”
“so that [you] may learn to revere [God]”
“so that you do not become corrupt”
“so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other”
“so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time”
I don’t know about you, but those are compelling reasons. God’s commands are meant for our provision, our protection and for our enjoyment of life. But not just for us–for our children, as well.
God knew what was best for Israel and He knows what is best for you and me. The Father’s desire is to love and bless us and He knows that as we walk according to His commands, we will experience the abundant, full life (John 10:10) He wants for us.
Is He worthy of obedience just because He says so? Absolutely. But the gracious heart of the Father also explains why it is best for us to obey Him.
If you and I have an obedience problem, then what we really have is a belief problem. If we truly believed Him, we would obey Him.
If we’re having trouble believing Him, then it may be that we just don’t know Him very well. Invest time in His word to discover that He is good and loving and faithful. And because He is, He cannot even think a thought toward us that isn’t best for us.
Get to know Him. You’ll have an easier time believing Him and the reasons He gives us to obey Him.
I wrote my e-book: : I Believe God: a 40 day adventure to help you in that process. The price is only $2.99 and is available in multiple formats. If you’d like the Amazon Kindle edition, it’s here.