What Does Jehovah Ask of Us?

Deuteronomy 10:12, 13

TO OBEY or not to obey​—the decision is not always an easy one. A superior who is harsh or overly demanding may win only grudging compliance from those under him. Jehovah God, however, wins willing obedience from his worshippers. Why? To answer that, let us examine the words of Moses found at Deuteronomy 10:12, 13.a

When summing up God’s requirements, Moses raised an intriguing question: “What is Jehovah your God asking of you?” (Verse 12) God has the right to ask whatever he wants of us. After all, he is the Sovereign Lord and the Source and Sustainer of life. (Psalm 36:9; Isaiah 33:22) Jehovah could not have a stronger claim on our obedience. Yet, he does not want forced obedience. What does he ask of us? That we be “obedient from the heart.”​—Romans 6:17.

What could motivate us to obey God willingly? Moses mentions one factor, saying: “Fear Jehovah your God.”b (Verse 12) This is not a morbid dread of bad consequences but, rather, a healthy, reverential regard for God and his ways. If we are filled with a profound awe of God, we will want to avoid displeasing him.

What, though, should be our primary motive for obeying God? Moses states: “Love him [Jehovah] and . . . serve Jehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul.” (Verse 12) Love of God involves more than feelings. One reference work explains: “Hebrew verbs for feelings sometimes refer as well to the actions that result from them.” This same work says that to love God means “to act lovingly” toward him. In other words, if we truly love God, we will act in ways that we know are pleasing to him.​—Proverbs 27:11.

How far should we go in obeying God? Moses says: “Walk in all his [God’s] ways.” (Verse 12) Jehovah wants us to do everything that he asks of us. Might such complete obedience work against our best interests? That would be impossible.