Chapter Four
Moses Commands Israel to Obey God
4:1 “And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. 2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you. 3 Your eyes have seen what the LORD did at Baal-peor, for the LORD your God destroyed from among you all the men who followed the Baal of Peor. 4 But you who held fast to the LORD your God are all alive today. 5 See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 6 Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ 7 For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? 8 And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?
Their journey from Egypt to where they are at, essentially on the shore of the Jordan River, was summarized by Moses as recorded in the first three chapters of Deuteronomy. Still talking to the second generation, Moses begins to encourage them to learn and obey God’s law. Perhaps the word ‘encourage’ is not strong enough, he strongly urges them to be obedient, as he knows what will happen if they don’t obey.
He begins with the instructions to listen (Hebrew ‘šemǎ’,[1] or ‘shema’, meaning to hear and respond, the word also connotes the idea of understanding with action, in other words, to do what they hear) to the statutes and rules that he will be teaching them. Next, they are to actually ‘do’ them, as obedience is a requirement for them to take possession of the land that YHWH was giving them (the Mosaic Covenant regarding the occupation of the Promised Land was conditional).[2] Moses then warned that nothing was to be added or subtracted from God’s law, it simply must be obeyed, as God’s rules and regulations must be precisely obeyed. To illustrate this point and how serious God is regarding obedience, Moses referred to a time in which God responded when several of the Israelites began to follow Baal of Peor. And since they were witnesses seeing first-hand how everyone that worshiped Baal were killed and those that followed YHWH remained alive, that these laws are not to be trivialized.
Moses taught the people God’s statutes and rules as God commanded him, they were now to “do them” (Hebrew ‘āśāh’,[3] a verb meaning to do, accomplish, complete, found over 160 times in Deuteronomy) as they enter the land (many of the regulations could only be followed after settling in their land, such as the harvest-related celebrations). It was to be a way of life for them; to be their understanding and wisdom (today we would call it our worldview). Those witnessing the Israelites living this way would note that they must be a wise and understanding people, for what other nation has a deity that is as integrated in their lives as YHWH is to the Israelites, which is further demonstrated when God responds to their calls. No other nation has the righteous rules and regulations like what Moses is going to teach to them.
4:9 “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children— 10 how on the day that you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, ‘Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so.’ 11 And you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, while the mountain burned with fire to the heart of heaven, wrapped in darkness, cloud, and gloom. 12 Then the LORD spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of words, but saw no form; there was only a voice. 13 And he declared to you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, that is, the Ten Commandments, and he wrote them on two tablets of stone. 14 And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and rules, that you might do them in the land that you are going over to possess.
Verse nine could be viewed as another reminder to remember,[4] but it is far more than a gentle reminder, Moses is clearly saying, “listen up, this is important!” The verse begins with the Hebrew “rǎq[5]’ hiš·šā’·měr,”[6] essentially saying, “only be careful,” followed by the Hebrew ‘šemōr’[7] alone, meaning “to watch over,” your soul (Hebrew ‘nǎpš’,[8] life, soul, or breath) diligently (Hebrew ‘me’ōd’,[9] great, might, or power). If they forget what they have witnessed of God, they risk losing a lot more than just memories. Moses is saying that each individual needs to be careful and watch out, otherwise they could lose what makes them great, their relationship with God. That is why it is imperative that they teach their children, and their children teach their children.
What are they to remember? What are they to teach their children? God’s Word! Moses brings them back to a time when their parents stood before YHWH at Mount Sinai so they could hear Him speak. From the mountain, which was surrounded with darkness burning with fire, they heard God speak. They heard His voice but saw nobody as He spoke the words of the covenant (the Mosaic Covenant) of which He commanded them to perform (Hebrew ‘ǎśôṯ’,[10] to accomplish, to complete), the ten words (the Ten Commandments), which were written in stone, and to learn and obey all His statutes and rules when they enter in the Promised Land. They need to remember God and to do as they promised.
Considerations
Nothing Was to be Added or Subtracted
In verse two, Moses warns that the rules and regulations from God are not to be altered in any way. It is interesting to note how the instructions are given, “you shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it.” (See also Deuteronomy 12:32; Joshua 1:7; Proverbs 30:6),[11] Nothing is to be added or removed, the Word of God is to be understood and obeyed as if it came from God. We are reminded of this just before the final two verses in the Bible, as the apostle John writes, “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” (Revelation 22:18-19) Even though these words apply mainly to the book of Revelation, it is clear that God desires mankind to restrain from editing His Word.
Despite the warnings, man seemingly cannot help themselves, as writing about God has created more literature than perhaps any other subject or genre. This becomes a problem when the writing begins to reshape, modify, or otherwise change the meaning of the text. Much has been written with the attempt to aid in understanding or to amplify, but even with the best of intentions, care must be taken to prevent misinterpretation or misunderstanding.
Through the years, theologians and commentators have written volumes of material that have become revered by their followers, as they often find clarification of God’s Word, just as this document hopes to do for its readers. However, when a document or a group of writings become more important than the Bible (sought first instead of the original source), that is when problems begin. The only document that counts to God is His Word, the Bible. If God’s plan for salvation is incorrectly presented verbally or written, and a person believes the lie, they will not be entering heaven. There is only one path to salvation and that is through Jesus Christ as presented in the Bible. Regardless if someone refers to themselves as a ‘Christian’, they alone bear the responsibility to know the truth. What does that mean? It means Christians should not rely on the writings of a theologian, scholar, or commentator, they need to know the truth from the unedited Bible, there is no substitute. Commentaries, like this one, can assist in clarification, but readers must always remember that the only book that counts, is the Bible.
Moses reminded those listening that what makes them different from other people is their relationship with God. If they chose to reject God and disobey Him, their uniqueness will be lost. In order to stay in the Promised Land, they must remember God’s Word and do as He instructed. Having favorable fellowship with God is always preferable, even today. As taught in Jesus’ discourse on being the True Vine:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:1-11)
Idolatry is Absolutely Forbidden
4:15 “Therefore watch yourselves very carefully. Since you saw no form on the day that the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, 16 beware lest you act corruptly by making a carved image for yourselves, in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female, 17 the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air, 18 the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth. 19 And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven. 20 But the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be a people of his own inheritance, as you are this day. 21 Furthermore, the LORD was angry with me because of you, and he swore that I should not cross the Jordan, and that I should not enter the good land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance. 22 For I must die in this land; I must not go over the Jordan. But you shall go over and take possession of that good land. 23 Take care, lest you forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make a carved image, the form of anything that the LORD your God has forbidden you. 24 For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
In verse twelve Moses mentioned that God had no form, here he refers to that fact to warn them not to be tempted into building an image or idol to worship, regardless of intent. God is never to be represented by an object, image, or idol. Especially any form that resembles man, woman, land animal, bird, sea animal, celestial body, or any other created entity or being, as these can be embraced and become objects of affection instead of God. Creation may remind people of the Creator, but there is no substitute for the living God.
Moses reminds them that it was God who brought them out of the iron furnace of Egypt to be God’s people (an iron smelting furnace used here as a metaphor representing the forging of a new nation through hard slave labor and oppression). Once again Moses calls attention to his disobedience when he was angry to demonstrate the importance of obedience. If Moses was not exempt from punishment, being God’s people is certainly not a valid excuse to expect any leniency or avoid punishment if they disobey.
They are to make every effort to stay away from making any idol or image that could lure them away from God and cause them to forget the covenant, as YHWH is a jealous God.[12]
4:25 “When you father children and children’s children, and have grown old in the land, if you act corruptly by making a carved image in the form of anything, and by doing what is evil in the sight of the LORD your God, so as to provoke him to anger, 26 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that you will soon utterly perish from the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess. You will not live long in it, but will be utterly destroyed. 27 And the LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the LORD will drive you. 28 And there you will serve gods of wood and stone, the work of human hands, that neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. 29 But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30 When you are in tribulation, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, you will return to the LORD your God and obey his voice. 31 For the LORD your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them.
As discussed in the Introduction to Deuteronomy, Moses knew that the people of Israel were going to breach their covenant with God. Here Moses refers specifically to a time, “In the future, when you have children and grandchildren and have lived in the land a long time” (verse 25a, NLT), if their descendants at that time make a carved image and provoke God to anger, He will force them to leave the Promised Land, the nation will cease to exist. Presented as a conditional statement, even though he knows they will disobey, perhaps stated this way to encourage them to make teaching their children a priority (see also Deuteronomy 6:7). Moses then calls heaven and earth as witnesses to emphasize the horrific truth that if they provoke God into anger they will perish from the land and He will scatter them around the world, which is exactly what took place, an event will later be known as the Diaspora (see Considerations below).
Dispersed and assimilated, the people of Israel would then be free to serve other gods, those made of wood and stone, made by human hands, idols that cannot see, hear, eat, or smell. Even though at that time they will not be considered His people (see Hosea 1:9), Moses tells them that God will not abandon them forever, they will once again remember and seek God and they will find Him, that is of course, if they seek Him with all their hearts and with all of their souls (see also Deuteronomy 6:5).
The next two verses are often the subject of emotional and passionate debate, especially since many eschatological viewpoints are incompatible. Here Moses states that when the people of Israel are in tribulation (see Considerations below), these things will occur in the latter days, and they will return to God and once again obey Him (being called God’s chosen people again). Moses then explains that YHWH is a merciful God, and would not leave them or destroy them, nor will He forget the covenant with their fathers (a reference to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, not the Mosaic Covenant).
Considerations
As mentioned several times in this book, the subject of prophecy, especially yet-to-be-fulfilled prophecy referred to as the study of end-times, or eschatology, is both widely varied and often emotionally defended. However, some of the problems come from inconsistent definitions of terms. Here is a brief overview of some of the terms referenced in this section.
Diaspora
The Greek word ‘diasporá’[13] in general, is defined as a dispersion of any people from their homeland. However, it is most commonly used both in the New Testament (see John 7:35) and extra-biblically in conjunction with the Jews being dispersed outside of Israel. There were several periods recorded in the Bible and later where their enemies took them into captivity, usually due to their disobedience to God.
The term “Diaspora" (as a proper noun), can refer to a specific event or to a series of events beginning when:
In each event Jews were widely dispersed, many remaining in these foreign lands, resulting in Jews living in nearly every region of Africa, Asia, and Europe.
There was also another period referred to by some as a Diaspora, this one by the Christians, as the intolerance of Christianity in Rome began to antagonize and murder believers, forcing them to leave Roman occupied land, sometime before the expulsion of the Jews.
Tribulation
The Hebrew word translated as ‘tribulation’ in verse thirty is ‘ṣǎr’,[14] referring to a narrow place, used figuratively in the Bible as a time of distress. There are several periods of distress and tribulation recorded in Scripture, many were mentioned in prophecy prior to the event. In most cases the description of the prophecy is clear enough to match to the recorded event. However, there are several that appear to be yet-future as the description includes details of things or events that have not been recorded in history.
There is a period of distress that is mentioned in several locations in both the Old Testament and New Testament that is most often translated as a time of tribulation. It is considered by most scholars to be a seven-year period, which is often divided in half (two, three- and a half-year periods, the last half is often referred to as the “Great Tribulation,” see Matthew 24:21; Revelation 7:14). Some believe this period of distress already occurred or that this period has an undefined period and that we are currently living in that situation.[15] However, when you tally up all the events described in these prophecies, it is clear that these events have not yet occurred.
Even though the book of Revelation may best present and outline the events that will occur during this period, there are many references and direct connections recorded in the Old Testament (for example, see Isaiah 3:1-4:1 and Daniel 12:1). This period is also referred to as a “time of Jacob’s trouble,” a phrase taken from Jeremiah 30:4-7 (KJV). A question one might ask regarding ‘ṣǎr’ (tribulation) in verse thirty is, does this passage refer to the same time of tribulation? It is more likely than not, especially since it is referenced to occur, “in the latter days.”
Latter Days
The Hebrew phrase in verse thirty is, “ǎ·ḥǎrîṯ[16] yā’·mîm,”[17] meaning end or last days. But since the word for ‘days’ is the plural form of the Hebrew ‘yôm’,[18] many like to consider it less specific, interpreting it as a period that could occur at the end of any event or time period, not necessarily at the end of days. However, since the context of the verse is referring to fulfilling the Abrahamic Covenant, which has never in history occurred, it appears to be a reference to a time yet-future.
Abrahamic Covenant
Many forget that this covenant has no strings attached, being an unconditional covenant. Many preterists[19] have attempted to attach conditions to God’s promise, but these are easily debated and eliminated. Several aspects of the covenant have been fulfilled (descendants of Jacob being numerous, various nations being blessed as a result of helping Israel, including the United States, etc.), but many have not been fulfilled (such as Israel occupying and ruling over the entire land mass which God promised).
To interpret this reference correctly we are faced with the most important question regarding prophecy. Does God lie? Of course not! (see Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Psalm 89:34; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18) If God cannot lie, then we can assume that if a prophecy or promise (such as those outlined in the Abrahamic Covenant) has not been fulfilled yet, that He will at some time in the future fulfill that prophecy or promise. This is why preterists desperately attempt to find areas in the Bible fulfilling each prophecy or unconditional covenant.
YHWH Alone is God
4:32 “For ask now of the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether such a great thing as this has ever happened or was ever heard of. 33 Did any people ever hear the voice of a god speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and still live? 34 Or has any god ever attempted to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, and by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great deeds of terror, all of which the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? 35 To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides him.
Referring to when God spoke to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai (see verses 10-15), Moses asks a series of questions beginning with, has anything like this ever occurred before? Has anyone that heard the voice of God speaking from within a fire survived? “Has any other god dared to take a nation for himself out of another nation by means of trials, miraculous signs, wonders, war, a strong hand, a powerful arm, and terrifying acts?” (Verse 34, NLT) The point of these questions was to help the people understand that YHWH is the true God, there is no other God.
4:36 Out of heaven he let you hear his voice, that he might discipline you. And on earth he let you see his great fire, and you heard his words out of the midst of the fire. 37 And because he loved your fathers and chose their offspring after them and brought you out of Egypt with his own presence, by his great power, 38 driving out before you nations greater and mightier than you, to bring you in, to give you their land for an inheritance, as it is this day, 39 know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. 40 Therefore you shall keep his statutes and his commandments, which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land that the LORD your God is giving you for all time.”
God let them hear His voice in order to discipline (Hebrew ‘yǎs·serě’,[20] can also refer to instruct, to teach, or to punish) them. He also let them see His fire and He spoke to them from the midst of that fire. And since He loved their ancestors, He chose to bless them by personally bringing them out of Egypt through His great power, driving out nations that were greater and stronger than they were. Why? So that He could give them the Promised Land as an inheritance.
As a result of all this, they should know that there is no other like God. No one in heaven, on the earth, or beneath the earth is like YHWH. Therefore, they should obey Him by keeping His statutes and commandments, as Moses is teaching, so that everything will go well living in the land, for them and their children. Their obedience will allow them to stay in the land, the land that YHWH gave to them for all time (the land is theirs, no expiration date, however, the privilege of occupying and living there is conditional based on their obedience).
Cities of Refuge Reviewed
4:41 Then Moses set apart three cities in the east beyond the Jordan, 42 that the manslayer might flee there, anyone who kills his neighbor unintentionally, without being at enmity with him in time past; he may flee to one of these cities and save his life: 43 Bezer in the wilderness on the tableland for the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites, and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites.
Moses identifies the three cities of refuge on the east side of the Jordan River, to which manslayers can flee. Instead of outlining the various conditions qualifying one as a manslayer, Moses uses ‘śō·nē(‘)’,[21] translated here as enmity, meaning that the person had no prior hatred, hostility, or contempt against the one that was killed.[22] The three cities are Bezer, pastureland east of Jericho (see 1 Chronicles 6:78); Ramoth, also considered pastureland in Gilead (see 1 Chronicles 6:73); and Golan, another pastureland in Bashan (see 1 Chronicles 6:71). These cities would be accessible for potential manslayers from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, respectively.
God's Law Introduced
4:44 This is the law that Moses set before the people of Israel. 45 These are the testimonies, the statutes, and the rules, which Moses spoke to the people of Israel when they came out of Egypt, 46 beyond the Jordan in the valley opposite Beth-peor, in the land of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon, whom Moses and the people of Israel defeated when they came out of Egypt. 47 And they took possession of his land and the land of Og, the king of Bashan, the two kings of the Amorites, who lived to the east beyond the Jordan; 48 from Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, as far as Mount Sirion (that is, Hermon), 49 together with all the Arabah on the east side of the Jordan as far as the Sea of the Arabah, under the slopes of Pisgah.
In his second address or discourse, Moses introduces the law, here he identifies the following text, through to Deuteronomy 27:10, as the testimonies (Hebrew ‘ē·ḏōṯ’,[23] a testimony or witness, same word that means congregation, or assembly but in this context refers to the act of testifying); the statutes (Hebrew ‘ḥǔq·qîm’,[24] meaning regulations, laws);[25] and the rules (Hebrew ‘miš·pā·ṭîm’,[26] judgments, legal decisions).[27]
Before reviewing the law, the location of Moses and the people of Israel is given as being in the in the valley opposite Beth-peor. The text then briefly summarizes the Israelite victories in this region. “This land was formerly occupied by the Amorites under King Sihon, who ruled from Heshbon. But Moses and the Israelites destroyed him and his people when they came up from Egypt. Israel took possession of his land and that of King Og of Bashan—the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan. So Israel conquered the entire area from Aroer at the edge of the Arnon Gorge all the way to Mount Sirion, also called Mount Hermon. And they conquered the eastern bank of the Jordan River as far south as the Dead Sea, below the slopes of Pisgah.” (Deuteronomy 4:46b–49, NLT)
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[1 Strong’s Hebrew 8085.
[2 See Considerations under Exodus 19:21-25 and commentary under Leviticus 18:24-28; 26:40-45.
[3 Strong’s Hebrew 6213.
[4 See Considerations under Exodus 12:28.
[5 Strong’s Hebrew 7535.
[6 Strong’s Hebrew 8104.
[7 Strong’s Hebrew 8104.
[8 Strong’s Hebrew 5315.
[9 Strong’s Hebrew 3966.
[10 Strong’s Hebrew 6213.
[11 See also Considerations under Numbers 22:36-41 regarding Compromise.
[12 See commentary under Exodus 20:5.
[13 Strong’s Greek 1290.
[14 Strong’s Hebrew 6862.
[15 See Considerations under Genesis 49:27 regarding Preterism
[16 Strong’s Hebrew 319.
[17 Strong’s Hebrew 3117.
[18 Strong’s Hebrew 319.
[19 See Considerations under Genesis 49:27 regarding “Prophecy Revisited” for a definition of preterism.
[20 Strong’s Hebrew 3256.
[21 Strong’s Hebrew 8130.
[22 See commentary under Exodus 21:12-13; Numbers 35:6-8, 9-15, 16-21, 22-29, 31-34; and Considerations under Numbers 35:31-35.
[23 Strong’s Hebrew 5713.
[24 Strong’s Hebrew 2706.
[25 See commentary under Leviticus 27:34; Numbers 19:1.
[26 Strong’s Hebrew 4941.
[27 See commentaries under Exodus 21:1; 28:15; Leviticus 19:35-37; 27:34.