"And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth." - (Ex 23:13).
We are almost at the end of our journey through the Law given to Israel at Mt. Sinai. As we have traversed the hills and valleys of the civil code given to them, our path and understanding has been constantly guided and illuminated by the snow-capped presence and majestic peaks of the 10 commandments, and the sun and moon of "Love God", and "Love your neighbor". We have seen them define the very landscape we pass through, shed light on each and every instruction given here, and provide an unfailing compass by which we are pointed to the character of the One who gave them. He has also provided this spot for us to rest and contemplate a few things before we move into the glory of the feast days, and His promises to Israel that make up the last elements we will look at.
The word translated "circumspect" in the KJV, is the Hebrew word "Shama" which the AV translates as "hear" 785 times, "hearken" 196 times, "obey" 81 times, "publish" 17 times, "understand" nine times, "obedient" eight times, "diligently" eight times, "shew" six times, "sound" three times, "declare" three times, "discern" twice, "noise" twice, "perceive" twice, "tell" twice, "reported" twice, and translated miscellaneously 33 times. 1 to hear, listen to, obey. 1a (Qal). 1a1 to hear (perceive by ear). 1a2 to hear of or concerning. 1a3 to hear (have power to hear). 1a4 to hear with attention or interest, listen to. 1a5 to understand (language). 1a6 to hear (of judicial cases). 1a7 to listen, give heed. 1a7a to consent, agree. 1a7b to grant request. 1a8 to listen to, yield to. 1a9 to obey, be obedient. 1b (Niphal). 1b1 to be heard (of voice or sound). 1b2 to be heard of. 1b3 to be regarded, be obeyed. 1c (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon. 1d (Hiphil). 1d1 to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound. 1d2 to sound aloud (musical term). 1d3 to make proclamation, summon. 1d4 to cause to be heard. 2 sound.
The Lord is telling us to make sure we "hear" the Law and hearken to it – really, really, really, diligently publish and hear what He is saying, and obey it from the heart! It means to discern the Spirit of the Law, and obey its intent, and not just the letter! The letter of the Law was given to the nation Israel, and a covenant made with them, which they broke. The Lord Jesus made a New Covenant with Israel and all mankind, destroying as part of that process the old institutions (temple, priesthood, and city) so completely, that adherence to the letter of the Law was made completely impossible – reinforcing the message that the Law of God was to be obeyed as intended – from the heart.
The Law has been likened to a tutor (Gal 3:24) – in a more contemporary sense, we might use the term, baby-walker or training wheels. It was given to show us how to apply the concept of Love in practical terms in everyday life, to a nation new to this radical concept! In today's day and age, the indwelling Word, and Spirit of God is our guide and rule of life.The indwelling Spirit makes us not need baby-walkers or training wheels any more!
It is important to realize that the Law, the Word, and the Spirit all come from the same source, the ever unchanging and eternal LORD, and thus are NOT mutually exclusive! Paul has similar guidance for Timothy, in Timothy 1:1-15 ("Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned..... But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; "). He further elaborates in the same passage, that the Law was also given so that sin might be revealed in sinful behavior that is contrary to the Law.
Just as Israel sinned by not obeying the Law, Christians sin by not loving their fellow man. That makes us hypocrites that say we Love God, but in practice, do not keep His commandments. -- "The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him [1 John 2:4]. The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked [1 John 2:6].The one who says he is in the light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now [1 John 2:9].If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen [1 John 4:20]."A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35). IF we say we are Christians, we need to observe this commandment – if we are not doing that, then we should examine ourselves carefully to see if Christ is indeed abiding with us, and we with Him in truth.
What about Sabbath observance? Remember what we said about the Spirit of the Law. One day a week, can you forget about yourself – and instead spend it meditating on God, reading His Word, worshipping Him, volunteering your time to help your fellow man, or just resting and rejoicing and praising Him who gives you your daily bread? That is true observance, true Love, out of a true Spirit!
Love is not an emotion or a feeling. It is a conscious and willful choice!
That is how you can choose to do good to your enemies though you may not like them. It's how Mother Teresa helped lepers, though they may have appeared repulsive and unlovable. That is how God extends Grace and Mercy to sinners who do not deserve it. That is why Christ died for sinners who hated and rejected Him. If you Love God, and Your Neighbor – daily choose to walk in the Spirit and His Law by -choosing- to be good to those around you! For that is true Law keeping and the Christian walk!
No other god has anything like this, so they are not worthy to be mentioned out of the same mouth that glorifies our thrice holy and most righteous LORD.
Hallelujah!