Deuteronomy 30:11-14

4. OBEDIENCE NOT IMPOSSIBLE (Deuteronomy 30:11-14)

11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not too hard for thee, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, and make us to hear it, that we may do it? 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, and make us to hear it, that we may do it? 14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 30:11-14

528.

It is such an encouragement to know that God has never given a command man could not obey. Read Romans 10:6-10 for a present day application of this text.

529.

In what sense did Israel feel the word of God was far away from them?

AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 30:11-14

11 For this commandment which I command you this day, is not too difficult for you, nor is it far off.
12 It is not [a secret laid up] in Heaven, that you should say, Who shall go up for us to Heaven, and bring it to us, that we may hear and do it?
13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it to us, that we may hear and do it?
14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth, and in your mind and in your heart, so that you can do it.

COMMENT 30:11-14

IT IS NOT TOO HARD FOR THEE, NEITHER IS IT FAR OFF, etc.Literally, is not too wonderful for you, i.e., not too hard to be understood or perform. Nor was it far offthough heavenly in its source (Deuteronomy 30:12), it did not remain there, but was revealed. Cf. Deuteronomy 29:29. In short, God had made his plan simple enough and easy enough for the sincere and devoted to observe it. It was not mysterious, ethereal, or occult. Rather, the word is very nigh unto thee. etc. (Deuteronomy 30:14). And if such words describe the Mosaic law, how much more our relationship to Christ, Matthew 11:28-30, 1 John 5:2-3, Romans 10:6-10.

The idea of keeping the Mosaic law perfectly, in every iota, and without ever failing, is not before Moses-' eye here. On this side of the cross, we know that only our Savior did so, Romans 3:9-12; Romans 3:23-25, as one who was sinless, 1 Peter 2:21-22, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Isaiah 53:9.