Deuteronomy 4

But idols are not only made of wood and stone; they are anything that takes the place of God in our lives, anything we love more than God: money, power, sex, our spouse, our children, our reputation, our possessions—even our good works.¹¹ These all have the potential to become idols in our lives. There fore, let us heed Moses’ words: . . . be careful,and watch yourselves closely (verse 9).

For further discussion of idolatry, see Exodus 20:4–6; 34:15–16 and comments.

29 But Moses does not end with God’s anger and judgment; he ends with God’s love and mercy. We must always recognize these two sides of God’s character and not give greater weight to one than to the other (see Exodus 34:4–7 and comment). Always in the end, after punishment and judgment, God holds out the hope of forgiveness, REIEMPTION, and restoration.

Here Moses tells us what we must do in order to realize that hope. Forgiveness, redemption and restoration do not come automatically; we must seek God with all [our] heart and with all [our] soul. We must cast ourselves upon God as our only hope. And if we seek Him in this way, we will find him.

30–31 Moses then predicted that some of the Israelites would return to God and obey Him, and that God, as a merciful Father, would take them back (Luke 15:11–24). God would not utterly abandon or destroy His people; He had entered into a covenant with their forefathers, confirmed by oath, and He would never break it (see Genesis 22:15–19; Exodus 2:23–25 and comments). Even if we are faithless, [God] will remain faithful,for he cannot disown himself (2 Timothy 2:13).

The Lord Is God (4:32–40)

32–40 In these verses, Moses eloquently sums up his first address to the Israelites on the plains of Moab. He says that no event since the creation of man (Genesis 1:27; 2:7) can compare to God’s speaking out of the fire (verse 33) from Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:16–19), or to God’s taking one nation (Israel) out of another nation (Egypt) in order to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage (verse 34).

Why did God do all this? . . . so that you might know that the LORD is God (verse 35). Why did God want the Israelites to know that He was God? Because he loved their forefathers (verse 37), because He chose them to be His people (Genesis 12:1–3; 17:3–8; 28:10–15). It all started with God’s love; ultimately, everything God had done for the Israelites was done because He loved them. Even this new generation of Israelites should be aware of God’s love for them, because He had driven out the Amorites before them (Numbers 21:21–35; Deuteronomy 2:24–37; 3:1–11) and had given them their land (verse 38)and now all Canaan lay before them.¹² God was not only up in heaven far away, but He was also down on earth dwelling with His people (verse 39)—because He loved them.

Therefore, God had the right to ask the Israelites to love Him back. We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). How could they show their love to God? By keeping his decrees and commands (verse 40). Jesus said: “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15). Love is not just a feeling; it is an action. God shows His love for us by redeeming us; we show our love for God by obeying His commands (see Deuteronomy 6:4–5 and comment).

In verses 32–40, Moses has been telling Israel to look back and reflect. Ask now about the former days (verse 32). We, too, need to do the same. We need to look back and reflect on what God has done for us in sending His Son Jesus Christ to bear the punishment for our sins. We need to reflect on the fact that God loved each of us so much that He was willing to die for us (John 3:16). It is because of His great love for us that we are then motivated to love and serve Him in return.

Cities of Refuge (4:41–43)

(Numbers 35:6–34; Deuteronomy 19:113; Joshua 20:1–9)

41–43 See Numbers 35:6–34 and comment.

Introduction to the Law (4:44–49)

44–49 Here begins Moses’ second address to the Israelites; in it Moses talks about specific stipulations,decrees and laws (verse 45), most of which have been given before in the books of Exodus and Leviticus. These various laws will be detailed in Deuteronomy Chapters 5–26.

Inverses46–49, Moses describes the exact location of the Israelites’ latest encampment. For a description of the various geographic terms mentioned here, see Deuteronomy 1:1–5; 3:12–20,23–29 and comments.