In Deuteronomy 21:10–25:19, Moses lays out the heart of God’s covenant provisions. These verses contain 74 commands, more than any other in the “Torah,” in English, “the Law.” They cover family dysfunction, moral and legal obligations, sexual behavior, and rules of social responsibility. It concludes with the reminder to remain eternally vigilant against Amalek, a type of Satan, the embodiment of hatred and cruelty. Together, these commands show us that God’s instructions aren’t abstract guidelines but living direction. They set a standard for human conduct in the middle of life’s chaos. As long as people draw breath, a divine compass is needed to order our lives, guard our communities, and shine a light in darkened times.
The Torah shows us that godliness is not just about lofty ideals but everyday choices. One of the most fascinating examples of this comes in Deuteronomy 22:6–7: “If, as you are walking along you happen to see a bird’s nest… you are not to take the mother with the chicks. You must let the mother go… so that things will go well with you, and you will prolong your life.” At first glance, this may seem insignificant, but Maimonides explained in “Guide to the Perplexed” that this commandment is an act of mercy. It spares the bird unnecessary suffering and models compassion. If God cares about the emotional pain of a simple bird, how much more must we extend mercy toward one another? The lesson is clear: obedience in even the smallest matters trains our hearts to honor God and treat others with dignity.
Yeshua, Jesus, echoed this when He rebuked the religious leaders in Matthew 23:23 for straining out small details of the Law while neglecting “the weightier matters of the Torah—justice, mercy, trust.” He taught that both were necessary. Interestingly, the rabbis considered this command about the mother bird “the least of the commandments,” yet its reward mirrors one of the greatest—honoring father and mother, which also promises long life and well-being. This parallel shows that God does not measure obedience by size but by faithfulness. Every act, whether large or small, carries eternal weight. In overlooking “lesser” commandments, we risk missing the very heart of God’s mercy and justice.
In truth, there are no small commandments. Each one carries life within it. Jesus described them as the weightier things of Torah because they expose our character. Do we reflect care and compassion, or do we brush off responsibility when it feels minor? Proverbs 13:14 reminds us, “The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” Torah, also means “instruction” or “direction,” literally points us to the mark—like an arrow aimed at the bullseye. It teaches us about sin, guides us to righteousness, and points us to Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. The Law, rightly understood, shows us our need for a Savior. Shouldn’t we be digging deeper into these things, letting even the smallest commands shape us into people of mercy, justice, and faith?
