CHAPTER FOUR
THE LESSON OF THE WILDERNESS
WANDERINGS IMPRESSED UPON
THE NEW GENERATION
Having brought his historical review to an end, Moses launches into his final exhortation. This also is interwoven with appeals to past experiences of the nation, so giving point to the lessons it is intended to impress. The chapter is divided into three main sections:
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"Lift up thine eyes, westward, northward, southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes" — These are similar words to those spoken to Abraham when he was told to look, north, south, east and west, "for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever" (Gen. 13:14). In viewing this same land Moses saw the promises "afar off' (Heb. 11:13). The directions are descriptive when read in the Hebrew — "Westward" literally becomes seaward, pointing to the Mediterranean which is to the west; "northward" is literally the hidden, or dark place, and extended from where he stood to Mount Hermon; "southwards" indicates the right, for the east is always the front to the Hebrew; and "eastward" is literally the sun's rising. Moses was invited to view the land in all those directions, because it was promised to Israel. The nation has not yet received that land, but will do so in the age to come. In being invited to view the land eastward, as part of that promised, it is obvious that the Promised Land is not limited to that west of Jordan.
" For thou shalt not go over this Jordan" — This statement is constantly re-iterated (Deur. 1:37; 4:21-22; 31:2).
VERSE 28
"But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him" — Joshua had a formidable task in taking over where
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Moses left off. He needed all the encouragement and help that his great predecessor could give him. Moses gave Joshua his orders, and strengthened him in the work before him (See Num. 27:23; Dexit. 1:38; 31:3-7). Joshua also received encouragement direct from Yahweh (see Josh. 1:1-9).
"For he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see" — In doing this Joshua typed the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. "What the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh", God did through Christ (Rom. 8:3). This was foreshadowed in the work of these two great leaders of Israel. Joshua led the people over Jordan as a shepherd, and therefore accomplished what Moses could not do. In the type, he represents the ministry of grace, whilst Moses set forth the condemnation of the Law.
VERSE 29
"So we abode hi the valley over against Beth-peor" — Beth-peor signifies the house of peor or the opening. It was situated in the valley of Shittim, on the Eastern side of the River Jordan opposite Jericho. It was a place notorious for the licentiousness practised there as recorded in Num. 25:1-3. In this valley the tribes remained in their tents awaiting the command to move.
Israel's Privileged Status Brings Heavy Responsibility — w. 1-8
Moses commences his exhortation by clearly stating that the privileges granted the people of Israel great privileges in being the recipients of divine revelation, calls for a practical response. The Word of God must be hearkened to, heeded, and translated into active obedience. No nation has been granted the benefits and opportunities afforded Israel; so it is expected of the people that they respond to that granted them. A similar exhortation applies to spiritual Israel today.
VERSE 1
"Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and judgments which I teach you, for to do them" — The word "statutes" is from the Heb. Choqqim, from Chaqaq signifying "to engrave . The word therefore describes laws that are intended to be engraven upon the conscience, so demanding obedience. The word "judgments" is from the Heb. Mishpatim and relates to "verdicts—or case laws", that is laws laid down by authority, or so settled by ancient custom, as to guide a judge in the decisions to be granted in certain specific cases. True Israelites were called upon to heed that which Yahweh commanded, and to bear in mind the benefits of so doing, or the punishments they could incur if they failed to do so.
"Which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which Yahweh, God of your fathers has given you" — The term "to live" does not
raelites both to possess the land, and to enjoy the inheritance of it.
VERSE 2
"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of Yahweh your God which I command you" — To the law of Yahweh, nothing must be added or taken away. The main idea is that there must be no attempt to pervert the plain meaning of the Divinely given instruction. The, Lord Jesus Christ charged the Pharisees with "making the Word of God of none effect through their traditions" (Mark 7:13). His reference was to the Law. It must be reve-rentlypreserved, as well as observed. To keep God's word means life; to disobey it means death; as witness the fate of those who died by succumbing to the worship of Baal-peor (Num. 25:1-9). In this verse we have another term related to the Law, namely "commandments". This is from the Hebrew Mitswath from Tsavah — "to constitute, enjoin". The term seems to relate to commandments given in relation to specific occasions, such as offerings and so forth. As there was to be no diminishing of, nor adding to, the revelation of Yahweh given through Moses, so, in the final chapter of The Apocalypse, there is a warning of dire punishment for any who may tamper with the revelation given, who "shall add unto these things", or "take away from the words of the book of this prophecy" (Rev. 22:18-19). In a flagrant manner, religions such as the Mormons, have not hesitated to add to, and diminish from the clear teaching of the
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Word of Yahweh by claiming new revelations or perverting the obvious teaching of the Word. The warning in both Deuteronomy, and The Apocalypse relates to the adding to, or diminishing from, the power and significance of the words recorded. It is the responsibility of those who would worship Yahweh in truth, that they seek out the literal meaning of His words and instructions, and apply them fully in their lives. It is significant and appropriate that both Moses and the Lord should issue this warning during the last messages they respectively delivered to the Israelites during their two ministries.
VERSE 3
"Your eyes have seen what Yahweh did because of Baal-peor" — The reference is to the sin described in Num. 25:1-3. The punishment was severe, and witnessed by representatives of the nation (See Num. 25:4-9; 31:16). Hence that generation that witnessed the goodness of Yahweh in His deliverance of the nation from Egypt, also felt His severity. The new generation is now called upon to keep that in mind. Similar instruction is given to the Lord's followers today (see Rom. 11:22). Inasmuch as the people had witnessed what Yahweh did, gave point and power to Moses' exhortation.
"For all the men that followed Baal-peor, Yahweh thy God hath destroyed them from among you" — The record states that 24,000 died in the plague that smote the people for their sin. However, Moses implies that there was a careful discrimination made so that it was only the guilty who were destroyed.
VERSE 4
"But ye that did cleave unto Yahweh your God, are alive everyone of you this day" — The term "cleave" in this statement is a most significant one. It is the term used to describe the true state of marriage (see Gen. 2:26); and so includes love for the object of it. The term, relates to those who recognised their responsibility to Yahweh as that of a wife to her husband (see Isaiah 54:5), and therefore manifested loving submission to His desires, whilst repudiating any adulterous association with the gods of the Midianites. It is significant that the term used to describe sexual intercourse (designed to conceive a new life — see Gen. 4:1), is that also used to describe a true worshipper's obedient
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and loving submission to the will of Yahweh (cp. 2 Sam. 2:12 with John 17:3). Thus human relationships are used in the Word to illustrate our moral responsibilities to Yahweh.
VERSES
"Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as Yanweh my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land, whither ye should go to possess it"
— This verse should be compared with v. 1. In the former verse Moses used the present tense / teach you. Here he uses the past tense: / have taught you. Deuteronomy is an exposition of Laws already given, with the new conditions experienced in the Promised Land in mind. Moses again emphased that the things set before the people were the commandments of Yahweh; and therefore obedience to them was imperative. Only by so doing would they be permitted to enjoy the inheritance set before them. He declared that his words were the words of Yahweh, and should be accepted as such. In that regard, he typed the Lord Jesus Christ. Like Moses, the Lord declared that the words which he spake to the people were not his own, but were words that came from God (see John 7:17; 12:49; 14:10).
VERSE 6
"Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the nations which shall hear all these statutes and say, surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people" — If Israel manifested obedience to the things of God, it would constitute a witness to His truth before all nations. Yahweh declared through Jeremiah that the people were chosen, "that they might be unto Me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory; but they would not hear" (Jer. 13:11). Yahweh chose Israel, guided them, educated them, revealed His will to them in order that they might reflect His glory and that they might De equipped to pass on to others the message of His plan. But, as the prophet sorrowfully adds: "they would not hear". The Proverbs adds: "the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that is wise win net h souls" (Prov. 11:30). Yahweh's statutes "make wise the simple" declared the Psalmist (Psa. 19:7; 119:98,99), and they who are thus made
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wise, attract the attention of others by the fame of their wisdom. Thus the Queen of Sheba was drawn to the wisdom of Solomon (1 Kings 10:1); and in every age, people have been drawn to God by seeing the impact of the truth upon the lives of believers. The Lord taught: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 5:16). He instructed his apostles: "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one toward another" (John 13:35). It was Yahweh's laws that made Israel unique among all the nations. This is acknowledged even to the present day. Men continue to express the great debt that mankind owes to the Hebrews because of the great teaching that has emanated from them to all the world. In like manner, when Christ's followers take Yahweh's word to heart, their actions command the respect of others. How often have the one-time friends or acquaintances of believers been induced to enquire the cause of such a change, and so be drawn to God through the channel of their witness.
Moses made reference to both wisdom and understanding. The Book of Proverbs proclaims that the "fear of Yahweh is the firstfruits of knowledge" (Prov. 1:7); and Job adds his witness by stating: "Behold the fear of Yahweh, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding" (Job 28:28). Hence, adds Proverbs: "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom, and with all thy getting, get understanding" (Prov. 4:7).
Admiration for the laws given to Israel have been expressed in the past (1 Kings 4:34; 10:6-9; Dan. 1:20; 4:9); and will be acknowledged in the future (Zech. 8:20-23).
VERSE 7
"For what nation is there so great, who have God so nigh unto them, as Yahweh our God is in all things that we call upon Him for?" — The greatness of Israel was not due to any militant might or inherent ability, but to the fact that God was nigh unto them. Members of other nations, who would desire to approach unto Him must do so through Israel, and upon Is-raelitish principles. This is so in Christ, as it was under Moses. A person in Christ has been brought nigh to the Commonwealth of Israel, and to the God of Israel (Eph. 2:12-14). The R.V. makes an important
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amendment to the AV rendition of the verse before us. It gives it as: "For what great nation is there that hath a God so nigh unto them as Yahweh our God is, whensoever we call upon Him". In illustration of this statement, see Deut. 33:29; Psa. 34:17-20; 145:18. The word "God" in this verse is "Elohim" in Hebrew, and is a plural word that elsewhere is rendered angels (Psa. 8:5). The angels are "ministering spirits sent forth to them who shall be heirs of salvation" (Heb. 1:14). It is through the ministry of the angels that Yahweh helps His elect (Psa. 103:20-22). Jacob saw the vision of angels ascending and descending the staircase that led to heaven, as he rested his tired head upon the stone pillow at Bethel (Gen. 28:10-13), and now his descendants are reminded that the help of Yahweh is available through His ministering spirits, when they turn unto Him. This same wonderful privilege of contact with Yahweh is open to believers today, so that the divine heritage granted Christ's followers is: "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn" (Isa. 54:17). They can rejoice in the wonderful privilege that is granted them in being accounted the Israel of God (Gal. 6:16).
VERSE 8
"For what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law which I set before you this day?" — The answer to this question is that no nation has been granted such wonderful privileges. Even today, when Israel as a nation has been temporarily cast off, it is only through the Israelitish constitution of things that Gentiles can enter into covenant relationship with Yahweh.
The Individual Responsibility To Obey —w. 9-13
The people are told that possession of the oracles of God are beneficial only to those who keep in mind the requirements of Yahweh and reverently fulfil them. Time and again in Deuteronomy, Moses takes the nation back to the historic proclamation of God at Horeb. A Voice was heard giving commandments and making a covenant, appealing to conscience and faith, and it is the people's individual responsibility to hearken and act in accordance with requirements.
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"Only take heed to thyself" — It is a believer's personal responsibility to learn the requirements of Yahweh, for true religion and the possession of wise laws and teaching are only of benefit if acknowledged and applied.
"And keep thy soul diligently" — Care needs to be exercised to make life worth living (see v. 1). If believers redeem the time by active service to Yahweh they gainfully use the span of life which God has granted them. See Prov. 3:1-2,16-17; 13:3; 16:17; 19:16; Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5. In the fuller sense, of course, those who follow the admonition of Moses will keep their lives eternally in the age to come.
"Lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen" — Scenes soon fade from one's memory when circumstances change, particularly unpleasant things, such as Israel had seen at Baal-peor (cp. v. 3). Regarding Israel, the Psalmist lamented: "They soon forgat His works" (Psa. 106:13,21; Psa. 78:11).
"And lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life" — The heart was considered the seat of knowledge by the Hebrews, the place of inner understanding that should govern the desires. Both intellect, and emotions need to be exercised by a knowledge of Yahweh and His ways.
"But teach them thy sons and thy sons' sons" — This is an Abrahamic characteristic (Gen. 18:19). The teaching of Moses is that such instruction should become a family project, and not be left entirely to some outsider to perform. The Truth needs to be openly discussed by all members of a family, as the natural thing to do. (See Deut. 6:7; 11:10; Psa. 78:4-6).
VERSE 10
"Specially the day that thou stoodest before Yahweh thy God in Horeb, when Yahweh said unto me, Gather Me the people together, and I will make them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children" — The word specially is in italics and should be eliminated. The R.V. renders: "At the day that thou stoodest before Yahweh. . ." See Exod. 19:9,16. Divine revelation is designed to instil fear in the hearts of believers. Such fear, or awe, is not an adverse emotion, but the best thing for flesh as it is constituted at pre-