Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it - Literally, Ye shall hear, O Israel, and thou shalt keep to do them.
1. God is to be heard; no obligation without law to found it on, and no law in religion but from God.
2. The commandment must be understood in order to be obeyed.
3. It must be observed - attentively considered, in order to be understood. And,
4. It must be performed, that the end for which it was given may be accomplished, viz., that God may be glorified, and that it may be well with the people.
What is here spoken applies powerfully to every part of the moral law; God has given it as a rule of life, therefore obedience to it is indispensably necessary, not to the purchase of salvation, for no human merit can ever extend to that, but it is the way by which both the justice and mercy of God choose to conduct men to heaven. But let it be fully understood that no man can walk in the way of obedience but by and under the influence of the grace of God.