Ver. 6-11. The reasons are here given for such cautious avoiding whatever might offend God. For, 1. They were a chosen generation to show forth his praises, and therefore bound to answer the gracious designs of God. There was in them no cause moving God to such peculiar regard, but his own sovereign choice and love; for they were the fewest in number, and had proved themselves sufficiently perverse and ungrateful in their conduct. He adds the promise made to their fathers, for whose sake they were beloved. Note; The promises of God in Jesus Christ are the only obligations we have upon him for his regard to us. 2. They would find their account herein; for God would be their friend if they loved and cleaved to him, but a mortal enemy if they turned from him, and shewed by their disobedience the enmity of their hearts against him. Hence learn, (1.) That godliness is the greatest gain, as attended with His love whose favour is better than life itself. (2.) That love and obedience are inseparable. (3.) That every wilful sinner is in heart a hater of God. (4.) That they who live at enmity with God bring down inevitable ruin upon their souls.
Deuteronomy 7:6-11
6 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
7 The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
8 But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
10 And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.
11 Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them.