Moses concludes his historical prologue, and introduces the law, and he does so with a very effective sermon on the nature of obedience. “Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you” (Dt. 4:1-43).
Before the great sermon of Deuteronomy, Moses delivers this preliminary exhortation to the people. He first addresses the benefits of obedience. Israel is to listen to these words, because the law is their life (v. 1). Because it is their life, they are not to adulterate it (v. 2). They saw the results of previous adulteration at Baalpeor (v. 3; cf. Num. 25; Ps. 106:28-31; Hos. 9:10). But the obedient were spared (v. 4), and were being taught the law so they could apply it in the land (v. 5). This law was their visible wisdom (v. 6). Israel would be respected because of her covenant relationship with God (v. 7), and because of the righteousness of the law (v. 8).
Having set the tone, the central portion of this sermon concentrates on the snare of idolatry (vv. 9-31). They were to take generational heed; the people are told to take heed, and keep their souls diligently (v. 9). They are commanded to teach both children and grandchildren (v. 9). They are told particularly to recall the events at Horeb when God gathered them together—so that they might fear and teach (v. 10). Moses reminds the people what happened there at Horeb. The contrast was not between visible and invisible, but rather between audible and visible. There were great visual effects on the mountain (v. 11), but they saw no form of God—and for a good reason (v. 12). But this invisible God was not inaudible. The Ten Words were given — notice here that the Ten Commandments are equated with the entire covenant (v. 13). The Ten Words are therefore a summary of law. The law was given on two tablets of stone. God commanded Moses to teach “statutes and judgments,” to exposit the law, so that they would know what to do in the land (v. 14). The Puritan divines were therefore correct to assemble the teaching of all the laws in the Scriptures under the categories of these ten words.
Moses comes back to the problem of devolution. Again, they saw no form on the mountain (v. 15). If they forget this, they will corrupt themselves and “uncreate” the world. The order of prohibited idolatrous forms is exactly the reverse of the Genesis creation order (vv. 16-19). The nations were divided according to the heavenly bodies, but not for purposes of worship (v. 19). Those who bow down to tangible objects in prayer and devotion become more and more spiritually thick and dense.
The people had been given redemption. God had delivered them from fierce affliction to give them an inheritance (v. 20). Moses would not enter the land and they would. And if he was punished in this way, what would happen to them if they disobeyed in the good land (vv. 21-22)?
And then, again, they are told to take generational heed. The book of Deuteronomy is fundamentally about education, passing the knowledge of God from one generation to the next. Take heed, therefore, lest you fall into idolatry (v. 23). We serve a God who is a consuming fire, a jealous God (v. 24; cf. Heb. 12:28-29). The time of old age, security, and grandchildren is frequently the occasion of great lapses and apostasies (v. 25). Take heed.
God’s people are to take His covenant curses into account. If God is angered, heaven and earth will bear witness that Israel will perish from the land (v. 26). God will scatter them (v. 27), and they will serve stupid and impotent gods (v. 28). But God not only anticipates sin, He also anticipates whole-hearted repentance (v. 29). Tribulation concentrates the mind and heart (v. 30). When this happens, God will remember His sworn covenant (v. 31). This is a unique covenant. Has there ever been anything like this anywhere else (v. 32)? Did any nation ever hear God talk (v. 33)? Did God ever deliver a people like He did Israel from Eygpt (v. 34)? God showed Himself to Israel so they would know He is the only God (v. 35). He was kind enough to teach them from the fire (v. 36). He delivered them because He loved their fathers (v. 37), and promised to drive out greater nations than they were (v. 38). There is no other God (v. 39), and so if you want to prolong your days under His blessing, then listen to Him (v. 40). At the conclusion of this message, Moses established the cities of refuge for the Transjordan (vv. 41-43).
Take heed to yourselves. Moses is urgent when he speaks to the people of Israel in this way. He is urgent for a reason. Take heed to your God; we serve a God who cannot be contained in an icon or form. But He does speak. He does write. Take heed to the covenant; we are in relationship with God through covenant. This is where our faith is personal. Take heed to the law. Wisdom is resident on the pages of Scripture in front of you. Learn to see it there. And take heed to your children. Do not grow old and complacent, old and idolatrous. Do not destroy your grandchildren. Those who bow down to idols despise their children, as well as their children’s children.