An Exhortation to Obedience
January 18, 2020
Commentary
This chapter concludes Moses’ review of Israel’s wilderness journey. Moses stops talking about Israel’s past and emphasizes the present. He wanted to make sure that the people did not soon forget all they had seen God do. At the same time, he wanted Israel to know the importance of keeping God’s laws and statues. They were not to delete from or add to the law (v. 2). To add to the law would make them a burden. This is what the religious leaders did at the time of Christ (Matt. 23:1-4). To subtract from the laws would make them incomplete. Therefore, the laws were to remain unchanged (vv. 1-2).
1. One purpose of the law was to give the Israelites a full life as they obeyed God (vv. 1-4). It is true that many of the laws we read in the books of Moses were specifically directed to the people of that time and culture. However, even though a specific law may not apply to us today it has a principle that does apply.
2. Another purpose of the law is to make Israel morally and spiritually unique (vv. 5-8). If she would obey the instructions, she would be the envy of all Nations. God’s laws were designed to guide all people toward lifestyles that are healthy, upright, and devoted to God. They point out sin (or the potential for sin) and show the proper way to deal with it (v. 8). Moses wanted to make sure that the people did not forget all that they had seen God do, so he urged parents to teach their children about God’s great miracles (vv. 9-10).
Application
It is easy to forget the wonderful ways God has worked in the lives of His people. I can remember God’s great acts of faithfulness by telling our children, friends, or associates what we have seen him do in and through our lives.
Deuteronomy 4:1–10 (NET)
1 Now, Israel, pay attention to the statutes and ordinances I am about to teach you, so that you might live and go on to enter and take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. 2 Do not add a thing to what I command you nor subtract from it, so that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I am delivering to you. 3 You have witnessed what the Lord did at Baal Peor, how he eradicated from your midst everyone who followed Baal Peor. 4 But you who remained faithful to the Lord your God are still alive to this very day, every one of you. 5 Look! I have taught you statutes and ordinances just as the Lord my God told me to do, so that you might carry them out in the land you are about to enter and possess. 6 So be sure to do them, because this will testify of your wise understanding to the people who will learn of all these statutes and say, “Indeed, this great nation is a very wise people.” 7 In fact, what other great nation has a god so near to them like the Lord our God whenever we call on him? 8 And what other great nation has statutes and ordinances as just as this whole law that I am about to share with you today?
9 Again, however, pay very careful attention, lest you forget the things you have seen and disregard them for the rest of your life; instead teach them to your children and grandchildren. 10 You stood before the Lord your God at Horeb and he said to me, “Assemble the people before me so that I can tell them my commands. Then they will learn to revere me all the days they live in the land, and they will instruct their children.”
Out of Bounds
One winter a resort in Breckenridge, Colorado, posted signs instructing skiers to keep off a certain slope. The signs, large and distinct, said, “DANGER! OUT OF BOUNDS!” In spite of the warnings, however, several skiers went into the a … Continue