Deuteronomy 4
BBCDeuteronomy 4:1
E. Exhortation to Obedience (Chap. 4)Chapter 4 introduces Moses’ rehearsal of the law. Here he dealt particularly with the worship of the one true God and with the penalties that would follow any turning to idolatry. 4:1-24 Israel was commanded to obey the statutes and the judgments of the LORD God when they entered Canaan (v. 1). They were not to add to it nor take from it (v. 2). God’s punishment of the idolatry practiced at Baal Peor should serve as a constant warning (vv. 3, 4). (Perhaps this particular incident of divine wrath against idolatry is mentioned here because it had taken place just a short time earlier and would be fresh in their minds.) Obedience to the law would cause Israel to be admired as a great nation by the Gentiles (vv. 5-8). Israel should remember from past experiences the blessings of following the Lord (v. 8). They were especially instructed to remember the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai (Horeb) (vv. 9-13). At that time, they did not see the form of God; that is, although they might have seen a manifestation of God, they did not see a physical form which could be reproduced by an image or an idol.
They were forbidden to make an image of any kind to represent God, or to worship the sun, the moon, or the stars (vv. 14-19). The Israelites were reminded of their deliverance from Egypt, of Moses’ disobedience and consequent judgment, and of God’s wrath against idolatry (vv. 20-24). “Only take heed to yourself . . . lest you forget” (v. 9); “Take careful heed to yourselves . . . lest you act corruptly” (vv. 15, 16); “Take heed to yourselves, lest you forget” (v. 23). Moses knew only too well the natural tendency of the human heart, and so he earnestly charged the people to pay close attention. 4:25-40 If the nation in later years should turn to idols, it would be sent away into captivity (vv. 25-28). But even then, if the people repented and turned to the LORD with all their heart, He would restore them (vv. 29-31). No nation had ever had the privileges of Israel, particularly the miracles connected with the deliverance from Egypt (vv. 32-38). Therefore they should be obedient to Him and thus enjoy His continued blessing (vv. 39, 40). It is a sad fact of Jewish history that the nation was subjected to a purging captivity because of their disobedience and failure to take the warning of Jehovah seriously. God’s warnings are not idle words. No man and no nation can set them aside with impunity. 4:41-43 Moses set apart three cities of refuge on the east side of the Jordan Bezer, Ramoth-Gilead, and Golan (vv. 41-43). 4:44-49 Here begins Moses’ second discourse, delivered on the Plains of Moab, east . . . of the Jordan. Verse 48 is the only instance where Mount Hermon is called Mount Sion.