SCRITPURE: DEUTERONOMY 4
BIBLE VERSES:
“Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. 2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.” (Deuteronomy 4:1-2)
“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” (Deuteronomy 4:9)
“Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the Lord your God has forbidden. 24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” (Deuteronomy 4:23-24)
“ But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey him. 31 For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath.” (Deuteronomy 4:29-31)
“Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. 40 Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time.” (Deuteronomy 4:39-40)
OBEDIENCE COMMANDED (vs. 1-14)
Before the Israelites cross over to the promise land, Moses commanded them to follow these commandes:
- Be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eye have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.
- Teach these commands to your children and to their children after them.
- Remember the 10 commandments He wrote on two stone tablets and follow them.
IDOLATRY FORBIDDEN (vs. 15-31)
- Do not make for yourselves an idol or image of any forms or shape, for the Lord is a consuming fire.
- Do not bow down to the sky, the sun, the moon and the stars.
- If you do evil in the yese of the Lord your God and provoke Him to anger, you will quickly perish and ceertainly be destroyed. The Lord will scatter you among the people with only few survivors.
THE LORD IS GOD (vs. 32-40)
PROOFS TO THE ISRAELITES THAT THE LORD IS GOD:
- He created the heavens and the earth.
- He spoke to them our of fire and heard His words from out of the fire.
- He took one nation out of anothern by testings, by miraculous signs and wonders, by war, by aa mighty hand and an outstretched arm and awesome deeds.
- He brought them out of Egypt by His presence and great strength.
- He drove out nations greater and stronger than them and gave the land as their inheritance.
CITIES OF REFUGE (vs. 41-43)
Anyone who had unintentionally killed someone without malice could flee into the cities of refuge. Among the cities of refuges are: Bezer in the desert plateau for the Reubenites; Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadies and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites.
INTRODUCTION TO THE LAW (vs. 44-49)
Moses set before the Israelites the stipulations, decrees and laws when they came out of Egypt in the valley near Beth Peor, east of the Jordan, in the land of Sihon, king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon and was defeated by Moses and the Israelites as they came out of Egypt.
THOUGHTS:
God’s perfect laws are not to be added nor subtracted. Adding them would make them a burden, subtracting them would make them incomplete The laws were to remain unchanged and still applicable today. It guides and teaches us toward a healthy upright and devoted life to God.
Moses reminded the Israelites of the holy relationship with God and of their privileges as His chosen people. They had heard Him, seen His power and received His Word as wisdom. Today, as children of God, we also have the privilege of hearing His voice through His Word and experiencing His wondrous works for us. May we commit ourselves to read the Bible everyday.
Moses warned the people of Israel not to forget His works, His deeds, and His covenant. He warned them that disobedience would bring chastening because He is a jealous God who will not allow His children to sin. But they repent, He is a merciful God and will forgive their sins.
Moses urged the parents to teach their children about God’s great miracles so that they won’t forget God’s great acts of faithfulness.
Idol worship was not just keeping statues around their houses. It includes commitment to other evil belief and practices such as murder, prostitution, cruelty, self-centeredness) or the strengths and attributes of mankind, the animal kingdom or the sun, moon and skies.
God is a jealous God because He is defending His Word and high honor. He demands an exclusive affection and loyalty for Him because He is the only Lord and Savior in the universe. Do not be tempted to look anywhere else for guidance. Trust God’s leadership, get His advices and recognize His authority over every dimension of life.
God’s promise of prosperity to Israelites did not mean no sickness, sadness or trials existed among them, but rather that their problems will be handled by God properly . When we ace trials today, Jesus assured us of his prosperity – which is His constant presence and comfort.