As we begin this series, we need to read it while being grounded in a very clear understanding of what this means for us practically. What are we supposed to do with this? How should we respond to it? We should not come to it and feel like it’s distant and abstract or be cold to it.
Moses is trying to persuade us to obey and to see something about God in order to obey Him. There is no way that we as Christians can just obey or be Christians automatically. Obedience is a response to being in a relationship with Him, and it is an active choice. In Deuteronomy, we will see how Moses is trying to shape and persuade the people to follow God and to obey Him!
This new series is about being shaped by Scripture so that we know how to pursue and follow our God. The choice to obey comes as a result of seeing, knowing, tasting and it is possible as we are drawn through Scripture.
(A) Deadly worship tampered with God’s word at Baal-peor (Deut 4:1-8)
Before we go ahead to study our passage, it is important for us to understand the context and reason why Deut 4 was written. The background story to Deuteronomy is both informative and sad. In Deut 3:23-29, we read of how Moses could not enter the Promised Land. All he could do is walk to the edge of the Jordan. Joshua was going to lead them instead (Deut 3:28).
Moses is preparing them by giving them final instruction. His emphasis is for them to listen and hear so that they will do it (Deut 4:1,5). In his parting words to them, Moses is placing an emphasis on what type of people are going into the land. They must be people that are Bible-built and saturated by God’s promises in His word. These are the ones that will cross into God’s Promised Land. This is why Moses writes this part — these are his last words to them and therefore, they are informative and sad.
Moses commands them in Deut 4:2-4. They were not to add and take from the word that God commands, and in doing so, they are committed to keeping God’s word. They are to be people that keep God’s word by preserving it in the form that was given to them (Deut 4:2). This means they don’t relativise the information (hence removing) and neither do they elevate other forms of authority above it (hence adding to it). It would also mean not rejecting it because they are unable to connect to it or find it irrelevant.
In Deut 4:3, Moses makes a reference to an event in Israel’s history. In Num 25:1-5, we read about how when Israel lived in Shittim, they participated in the worship of idols. They were described as whoring with the daughters of Moab and also yoking themselves to the Baal of Peor (i,e. taking the same obligations as those who worshiped other gods). As a result, those who followed the Baal of Peor was judged.
Moses brings it up again in Deut 4:3 because it was the most recent form of idolatry. Notice what Moses says. He calls them to keep God’s word, and not to be unequally yoked or whore after other gods. Moses’ emphasis is not idolatry but rather, he focuses on God. What happens when we turn to idols? We are subtracting the importance of God.
Moses expects 3 things if Israel keeps God’s word (Deut 4:6-8). They will be the envy of their neighbours, be praised for their intimacy with their God and will show the righteousness of God’s rules and laws. We see here that their obedience has a missiological purpose! The way they lived in holiness and righteousness in obedience to God’s word will show God’s distinctiveness. If Israel looked just like the other nations, what does it say about God? God will therefore appear to be just like the other God!
Moses brings up an event in their own history, their worship of Baal-Peor to remind them not to tamper with the word of God. It is deadly and they have been judged for it before. Tampering will result in God’s wrath and anger. God revealed Himself and does not expect them to change it. When they change it too, they will lose their distinctiveness.
(B) Faithful worship responds to God’s revealed word at Horeb (Deut 4:9-24)
Moses also tells them to “only take care” of 4 things (Deut 4:9). They are to:
“Keep your soul diligently”, to watch what goes in to their soul in terms of God’s word!
“Not forget the things your eyes have seen”, to be people that do not forget what God has done for them.
Not let the things that they have seen “depart from your heart all the days of your life”. They are not to forget about these basic fundamental things! These things are not just for a season, for when they are young and now that they are older, they can move on to other things.
“Make them known to your children and your children’s children”. They are to build them not only to their souls, but also in their family! It is not just a part of their own life, but they are to also build it into their family life,
These instructions focus not just on actions, but are really about the kind of person that Israel was to become. They are to guard what comes in and out, what they value, what they meditated on and what they passed on to their children. Moses wasn’t just commanding them to “read, obey, do”. Instead, he was calling them to soak, drink it, dwell in it, absorb it, meditate on it, think about it and pass it on.
But what is Israel supposed to remember in vivid detail? In Deut 4:10-14, Moses reiterates the experience of receiving the 10 Commandments. Notice how Moses didn’t just recount the events, but also reminded the people of the fear of God that they felt. The words are God are not just commanded directly, but they are to remember what it was like when they received it, coming before the awesome God.
In Deut 4:21-24, Moses also reminds them that God will not tolerate idolatry because of who He is. He is a consuming fire and a jealous God (Deut 4:24). He cares so much for His people and has done so much for them that he’s not prepared to share them with anyone else. Only He will be their God.
We see here that the God who reveals himself in fiery words is a God holy and jealous for His people. Israel’s response to this God is to take care and be saturated in what God has said about Himself. Even though Moses has been denied access, Israel is supposed to go on ahead to the Promised Land as God has promised, and to continue obeying Him.
Moses also gave Israel instructions about how they are to apply the memory of Horeb in Deut 4:15-20. Egypt was a land where the people worshipped images and created things. God has rescued them from this idolatrous society, not for them to go back to idolatry. Instead, God has revealed how He wishes to be worshipped. How did God reveal Himself at Horeb? This mountain experience with the fire and gloom did not reveal a form of God. They only received words. He wants them to worship Him as the God who saves! This is the God who saves out of idolatry and reveals Himself to be the God not of a form, but of words. Therefore, they are to keep the words of this jealous God.
This is how God has chosen to reveal Himself. He could have chosen other forms but this is the way He picked. What does this mean for us today? We too, continue to see God’s holiness and nature through the words that He has given to us. His words are holy and like fire. His words are given and directed to us so that we can see and know Him through those words. His words are precious. We have a God who is the same God of the revealed word. Faithful worship then, is how we respond to this God. It is saying that we know who He is and what He is like, and treasuring what He treasures. We will also love His words because we know that His words are holy and purified words. Is this our attitude towards God’s word? Is this our attitude towards the God who speaks? Do we just approach Him casually? Do we see how we too, have been rescued and brought out of idolatry so that we can worship and know Him?
(C) The choice of faithful covenant, idolatry-rejecting worship in the future (Deut 4:25-40)
Moses expects that they will cross the land and he envisions 2 scenarios when they do so. The first stage is a stage of idolatry, when they don’t keep this covenant faithfulness to this God and make carved images, they will be judged (Deut 4:25-28). The rest of the OT follows this shape as Israel turns away from God again and again.
The second phase of the scenario is when they turn to seek God and they will find Him. When they turn back to Him, they will find that He is merciful and will not break the covenant with them (Deut 4:29-31). This is also the shape of the OT, when Israel does this again and again too.
Moses motivated and urged Israel towards faithful covenant worship by asking a series of questions in Deut 4:32-34. Has anyone heard God’s voice and still live (Deut 4:33)? Has God ever rescued a nation (Deut 4:34)?
Moses wanted them to know who they are. They are people who have heard God’s fiery words and lived. They are also people that have been rescued by God himself.
Moses continued to encourage them to obey His words (Deut 4:35-36). He uses various rhetorical devices to motivate them and encourage them to obey in an artful way. He reminds them of their history (Deut 4:37-38) and also who God is (Deut 4:39).
Jesus picks up on Moses’ words here in Jn 15:9-10. We abide in God’s word by allowing His words to take up residence in us. In Jn 13:1, we are also reminded that God loves us because Jesus loved us to the end. This love was greater than what Israel knew and He calls us to take His words into our lives and make it our new identity. This is also how we experience His love.
Moses words in Deut 4 aren’t just for Israel. We too are people that have heard God’s word and lived. We too, have been rescued by Him. This was accomplished on the cross, for Christ died to save us from our bondage to sin and slavery. He does so because He loves us.
We are starting this new series in this chapter, and hearing the same choices that we need to make on a daily basis. What is God calling you to do by way of habit or change of practice? What does He want you to stop doing that may be idolatrous in His sight? Deadly worship that tampers with God’s word and runs after other idols kill our mission, joy and ultimately us. Faithful worship is in how we respond to God’s word. We are to also respond in faithful worship by rejecting idolatry and turning to Him in obedience, and this has an effect on our future. What would it look like to be faithful to Scripture and worship the God of Scripture (beyond singing) in your life? What hopes do you have for your faith in this mini-series in Deuteronomy?