"You can't make me!" are classic words of defiance typically found in movies and TV shows when a not so bright character defies a cop or judge. The defiance is usually dealt with swiftly; sometimes humorously, but most often not. Even if it’s funny on the screen, that kind of defiance is never funny in real life. Whether it is a little child defying his parents or a grown up child foolishly defying authority it needs to be dealt with swiftly without humor. Just as judges were to uphold the law so the people were obligated to follow the law.

Back then, just as today, the rulings were not always popular and the people could be tempted to ignore it, especially when everyone returned home. So, God made it very clear that defiance of the law was not acceptable (Deuteronomy 17:10-12).

Notice first the positive instruction that they were obligated to carry out the sentence exactly as handed down. They had to listen carefully so they could carry it out without any deviation. Buried in that command was a recognition that it would be based on "the terms of the law" (v11). Second, the person who defied the ruling of the court was to be dealt with swiftly as well (v12). Third, was the goal: an obedient people (v13).

God’s ultimate goal is a people who speak like Jesus "Not my will, but yours" (Mark 14:36).