Deuteronomy 10
Deuteronomy 10 continues Moses’ retelling after the golden calf incident. It begins with the second set of stone tablets and the ark, then moves to the Levites’ role, Moses’ intercession, and the way of life Israel is called to practice. The chapter emphasizes covenant restoration, reverence, obedience, justice, and love for the vulnerable.
1verseAt that time the LORD said to me, “Cut two stone tablets like the first, and come up to me onto the mountain, and make an ark of wood.
2verseI will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets which you broke, and you shall put them in the ark.”
3verseSo I made an ark of acacia wood, and cut two stone tablets like the first, and went up onto the mountain, having the two tablets in my hand.
4verseHe wrote on the tablets, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spoke to you on the mountain out of the middle of the fire in the day of the assembly; and the LORD gave them to me.
5verseI turned and came down from the mountain, and put the tablets in the ark which I had made; and there they are as the LORD commanded me.
6verse(The children of Israel traveled from Beeroth Bene Jaakan to Moserah. There Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest’s office in his place.
7verseFrom there they traveled to Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Jotbathah, a land of brooks of water.
8verseAt that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of the LORD’s covenant, to stand before the LORD to minister to him, and to bless in his name, to this day.
9verseTherefore Levi has no portion nor inheritance with his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD your God spoke to him.)
10verseI stayed on the mountain, as at the first time, forty days and forty nights; and the LORD listened to me that time also. The LORD would not destroy you.
11verseThe LORD said to me, “Arise, take your journey before the people; and they shall go in and possess the land which I swore to their fathers to give to them.”
12verseNow, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
13verseto keep the LORD’s commandments and statutes, which I command you today for your good?
14verseBehold, to the LORD your God belongs heaven, the heaven of heavens, and the earth, with all that is therein.
15verseOnly the LORD had a delight in your fathers to love them, and he chose their offspring after them, even you above all peoples, as it is today.
16verseCircumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff-necked.
17verseFor the LORD your God, he is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the awesome, who doesn’t respect persons or take bribes.
18verseHe executes justice for the fatherless and widow and loves the foreigner in giving him food and clothing.
19verseTherefore love the foreigner, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
20verseYou shall fear the LORD your God. You shall serve him. You shall cling to him, and you shall swear by his name.
21verseHe is your praise, and he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen.
22verseYour fathers went down into Egypt with seventy persons; and now the LORD your God has made you as the stars of the sky for multitude.
The Restoration of the Covenant
In verses 1–5, the second set of tablets replaces the tablets Moses broke. This shows that Israel’s failure did not end the covenant story. The renewed tablets point to both the seriousness of sin and the possibility of restoration through God’s mercy.
The Role of the Levites
Verses 6–9 mention the setting apart of the tribe of Levi. The Levites are associated with carrying the ark, standing before the LORD to serve, and blessing in His name. This should not be confused with saying that all Levites are priests in the strict sense; the priestly line is specifically associated with Aaron within the tribe of Levi.
What the LORD Requires
Verses 12–22 summarize the response expected from Israel: fear the LORD, walk in His ways, love Him, serve Him with all the heart and soul, and keep His commandments. The command to “circumcise the heart” points to inward transformation rather than merely outward religious identity. The passage also highlights God’s justice for the orphan and widow and His love for the foreigner.
Meditation Points
- What does restored covenant relationship look like after failure?
- How does inward change differ from merely outward religious performance?
- Why does love for God lead directly to justice and care for vulnerable people?
Try Applying It to Yourself
- After failure, return to God with humility rather than giving up.
- Ask whether your outward practices are matched by sincerity, reverence, and a changed heart.
- Identify one person or group near you who needs justice, welcome, or practical care.
