and their children forever” (Deut 5:28–29). Ahead of doing the commands is a decision to fear God. That such is the sense of “keeping the commandments” is clarified in Deuteronomy 17 when its opposite is depicted: “But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods …” (Deut 30:17). The prophets, especially Jeremiah, frequently conclude indictment lists with the telling phrase “they forsook me [Yahweh]” (Jer 2:13, 17, 19; 5:7, 19; 16:11; 17:13).