Deuteronomy 4:15-24

Listen to Deuteronomy 4:15-24

A Warning against Idolatry

15 So since you saw no form of any kind on the day the LORD spoke to you out of the fire at Horeb, be careful 1
16 that you do not act corruptly and make an idol for yourselves of any form or shape, whether in the likeness of a male or female,
17 of any beast that is on the earth or bird that flies in the air,
18 or of any creature that crawls on the ground or fish that is in the waters below.
19 When you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.
20 Yet the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of His inheritance, as you are today.
21 The LORD, however, was angry with me on account of you, and He swore that I would not cross the Jordan to enter the good land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.
22 For I will not be crossing the Jordan, because I must die in this land. But you shall cross over and take possession of that good land.
23 Be careful that you do not forget the covenant of the LORD your God that He made with you; do not make an idol for yourselves in the form of anything He has forbidden you.
24 For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, [a] a jealous God.

Deuteronomy 4:15-24 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 4

This chapter contains an exhortation to Israel to keep the commands, statutes, and judgments of God, urged from the superior excellency of them to those of all other nations, De 4:1-8, from the manner in which they were delivered, out of the midst of fire, by a voice of words, but no similitude seen, De 4:9-15, and particularly the Israelites are cautioned against idolatry, from the consideration of the goodness of God to them, in bringing them out of Egypt, De 4:16-20, and the rather Moses is urgent upon them to be diligent in their obedience to the laws of God, because he should quickly be removed from them, De 4:21-24, and should they be disobedient to them, it would provoke the Lord to destroy them, or to carry them captive into other lands, De 4:25-28 though even then, if they repented and sought the Lord, and became obedient, he would be merciful to them, and not forsake them, De 4:29-31 and they are put in mind again of the amazing things God had done for them, in speaking to them out of fire, and they alive; in bringing them out of another nation, and driving out other nations to make room for them; all which he improves, as so many arguments to move them to obedience to the divine commands, De 4:32-40 and then notice is taken of the three cities of refuge, separated on this side Jordan, De 4:41-43, and the chapter is concluded with observing, that this is the law, and these the testimonies, Moses declared and repeated to the children of Israel in the country of Sihon and Og, who were delivered into their hands, and their lands possessed by them, which laid them under fresh obligations to yield obedience to God, De 4:44-49.

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Cross References 1

  • 1. (Deuteronomy 12:29–32; Ezekiel 6:1–7)

Footnotes 1

  • [a] Cited in Hebrews 12:29
The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially placed into the public domain