We moderns like to make our own rules, live by our own codes, do what we see fit, we do not like anyone dictating to us unless it happens to comply with our desires. We prefer to ignore any rules we don’t see pleasing to our pursuits. Speeding, turn signals, stop signs come to mind immediately but what about God’s rules? Do you believe in natural law?
If lower, less reasoning creatures are governed by natural law, wouldn’t it make sense for us with such high powers of reasoning to recognize the rules of the Lᴏʀᴅ?
In Bible study, we have a practice of looking at first usage to give us a clearer meaning of words; in our minds ‘rules’ is not something we appreciate but if we take the context, the intent of God in this word, it does become more desirable. Back when the Lᴏʀᴅ is considering how much to reveal to Abraham about what God is going to be doing, the Lᴏʀᴅ says,
God determines that it is important for Abraham to know what is coming so Abraham can live according to the truth, lead his offspring into the ways of the Lᴏʀᴅ by following God in righteousness and justice. ‘Justice’ is the same word as ‘rules’ in today’s text and means ‘a formal judicial verdict, either favorable or unfavorable, resulting from consideration of truth. God is giving Abraham God’s verdict ‘so the Lᴏʀᴅ may bring to Abraham what He has promised him.’ This gives a better connotation to ‘rules’— they are not to deprive of good but to allow the fulfillment of God’s promises. Before any of the fulfillment in Abraham’s life, before any offspring, before possessing the land, before being called ‘the friend of God,’ God gives His considered verdict of what is the best way to live to receive the promises.
Do we see rules as depriving or as a means of living toward fulfillment with God—depriving or enriching?