Clearly communicated expectations are very helpful. When you start a new job, part of the interview process and even into the first few weeks is getting to know what is expected of your position. If that is clearly defined, then you are able to work toward achieving the expected standards. However, if your duties are vague or unclear, then there is some uncertainty about how you should proceed. In like manner, God has not left us with an ambiguous idea of how He expects us to live. Throughout the Bible, we see clear and direct commands.
God’s first commands to mankind were given to Adam and Eve. They were to multiply, have dominion over nature and not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 1:28-29; 2:16-17). This wasn’t burdensome. He communicated what they were supposed to do, what they were supposed to eat, what they couldn’t eat, and what would happen if they disobeyed. Yet, they were deceived, and they disobeyed. It is interesting that since the time that the knowledge of good and evil was introduced to mankind, we have had more commandments from God. A knowledge of good and evil requires a choice and guidance on how to live. Those next generations after Adam and Eve slowly degraded to the point that God destroyed the world. The salvation of mankind depended on one man following the commands of God (Gen. 6:5-8,13-22; 1 Pet. 3:20).
As you follow the generations from Noah, to Abraham, to the people of Israel under the direction of Moses, you find the commands of God to Israel. These books, known as the Law, Torah, or Pentateuch, contain 613 commandments of God. However, in all the complexity there is a way to simplify the concept of obedience and understand what is expected.
The ability to do what is pleasing to God starts with the heart. God said, “Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments always” (Deut. 5:29a). I need to make sure my heart is in line with the will of God. He communicated exactly what He wanted and the expectation of the kind of heart that would be obedient. “Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the LORD’S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good” (Deut. 10:12-13).
When asked about the most important commandment, Jesus quoted from the law of Moses about the love of God and the love for your neighbor (Matt. 22:34-40; Deut. 6:5; Lev. 19:18). Following clearly communicated expectations will help us stay on task. God has commanded this for our good.