Deuteronomy 10
10:1 a The Ark was a gold-plated wooden chest that contained the stone tablets; it was kept in the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle or Temple (Exod 25:10 b). Later, a pot of manna and Aaron’s flowering rod were also placed in the Ark (Heb 9:4 c). The Ark was the throne upon which the invisible Lord sat on earth among his people (see study notes on Exod 25:22 and Lev 16:2).10:3 d acacia wood: This durable desert tree is probably the species Acacia raddiana; it is the only variety that grows large enough in the Negev to produce timber for building.
10:5 e still there: Occasionally, phrases such as this one appear in Deuteronomy, indicating that the book received final touches sometime after Moses originally composed it. At the time the book was finally edited, the stone tablets were still in the Ark.
Summary for Deut 10:12-13: 10:12-13 f fear the Lord your God: The fear of God is not terror from dread of his wrath. Rather, God wanted his people to recognize their finiteness and unworthiness in his divine presence (see study notes on 7:21 and Prov 1:7).
10:16 g change your hearts (literally circumcise the foreskin of your hearts): This figure of speech encompasses both inward and outward conformity to the covenant (Gen 17:9-14 h; Rom 2:28-29 i).
10:17 j The phrase God of gods does not affirm the existence of other gods; rather, it affirms God’s absolute sovereignty over all powers in heaven and earth. The Hebrew ’elohim, translated gods, can also refer to angels or other powerful beings (see Ps 82:1 k).
• shows no partiality: God is not impressed with people who hold power and influence, and therefore he offers them no privileged consideration (see Deut 1:17 l).
10:18 m foreigners (literally sojourners): “A rabble of non-Israelites” (Exod 12:38 n) came out of Egypt with the Israelites, and others later took up residence in Israel for various reasons. Some of these non-Israelites had no intention of becoming part of the covenant nation, but other foreigners, while not citizens of Israel, were God-fearers or potential proselytes. They lacked full equality with the Israelites and thus were often victims of neglect and discrimination.
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