Deuteronomy 30:11-20

What does choosing life mean in Moses’ appeal?

Berean Standard Bible

11 For this commandment I give you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should need to ask, ‘Who will ascend into heaven to get it for us and proclaim it, that we may obey it?’ 13 And it is not beyond the sea, that you should need to ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to get it for us and proclaim it, that we may obey it?’ 14 But the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may obey it. 15 See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, as well as death and disaster. 16 For I am commanding you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, statutes, and ordinances, so that you may live and increase, and the LORD your God may bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away and you do not listen, but are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you today that you will surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. 19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live, 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, obey Him, and hold fast to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

What is the context?

The command is not presented as inaccessible knowledge hidden in heaven or across the sea. The people have received the word and can speak and take it to heart, so that they may put it into practice.

The choice is concrete: love the Lord, walk in His ways, and keep His commands, or turn away to other gods. The alternatives are life and blessing or death and loss of the land. Heaven and earth are called as witnesses, giving the appeal public and enduring seriousness.

Choosing life means loving, obeying, and holding fast to the Lord, who is Himself their life. It is more than preferring a favorable outcome while refusing the relationship and conduct described. The promise is addressed to Israel entering the land sworn to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

How is this passage commonly understood?

The USCCB notes explain the word in the mouth as memorized and recited, and the word in the heart as inwardly appropriated. Wesley reads the command in connection with the grace of the gospel and Paul’s use of the passage. His emphasis on divine help and the people’s response should not be mistaken for a claim that the passage teaches salvation through unaided effort.

Where does this fit in God's plan?

Romans 10:5–13 explicitly takes up the language of ascent, descent, and the word near the mouth and heart. Paul applies it to the proclaimed word of faith: confessing Jesus as Lord and believing that God raised Him from the dead. The same Lord receives those who call on Him, Jew and Greek alike. This is a stated New Testament use of the passage, rather than a hidden meaning invented for the geography.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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