Was the admonition in verse 8 pointed to Jews under the law or to believers today?
Verse 8’s admonition was particularly pointed to the Jew under the law, not directly to believers today, though believers can still garner lessons from it. Under the Old Testament format, Israel’s obedience brought material blessing and disobedience removed it. The lesson for believers is to spend time in the Book.
Les explains that verse 8 is another admonition that was particularly pointed to the Jew under the law, but we can still garner some lessons from it. It says the book of the law was not to depart out of their mouth, but they were to meditate therein day and night and observe to do all that was written, and then their way would be prosperous. Les notes this was the Old Testament fair format: if they were obedient, they would be blessed materially; if they were disobedient, the blessings would disappear. The lesson for us is that if we are going to be pleasing in God’s eyes as believers, we have to spend a good share of our time in the Book. He connects this to Ephesians 5:26, where Paul is talking about Gentile believers, members of the body of Christ, being sanctified and cleansed with the washing of water by the Word—not baptismal water. Les teaches that we literally inundate ourselves with the Word, and it has a cleansing effect.
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.