Deuteronomy 4 Devotional
by Pastor Mark Hudson
Chapter 4 ends the first section of Deuteronomy. Chapter 5-26 is the next section. Here is one way to see changes in topics in this chapter. What follows is the outline in J.G. McConville’s commentary.
1-8 Commands, God’s nearness, Egypt and People
9-14 The encounter: vision and the word
15-24 Worship God alone; no idols
25-31 Curse and blessing: idolatry
32-40 God is near – on earth; dwells in heaven
41-49 Journey theme – word in history
Chapter 4 is a long chapter where Moses covers several themes that are central to the Christian faith. One is found throughout the chapter: the importance of the word. In v. 2, the nascent nation is told not to add to or subtract from the word Moses is giving them. They are told in v. 1 to listen to this word. This is very little difference, if any at all, between what Moses is teaching them and what God says in v. 5. Keeping, obeying, or doing these words are what will distinguish this nation from other nations. Notice, this does not mean that obeying the commands makes them righteous but living according to God’s Word is what obeying God means. God wants His people to value His word. “For what great nation is there, that has statues and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?” In v. 8 and then similarly in verse 9, “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget. . . .”
There are other aspects of speaking the word that stands out in vs. 12 and 15. Moses twice says that you heard the voice of God speaking but saw no form. “You heard the sound of words, but saw not from; there was only a voice.” Therefore, watch yourselves very carefully. Since you saw no form on the day that the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire . . . .” The first instance, the authority of the word is stressed while the second instance urges the prohibition of idolatry since God has no form. God is there and he is not silent so said Francis Schaeffer in the previous century.
You must love the section beginning in v. 32. Moses reminds the people how utterly unusual their experience is in the history of mankind. Then he asks in the next verse, “Did any people ever hear the voice of a god speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and still live?” There are two things that are shocking. One is that God speaks. He could choose to be silent. Why should he reveal anything to us? He is certainly under no obligation to speak to us, teach us, or tell us anything about Himself. But God is a talking God. He speaks and we hear a revelation from heaven. As v. 36 says, “Out of heaven, He let you hear His voice.” We listen to the words of God. In the Bible we hear God speaking. As. B.B. Warfield wrote, when the Bible speaks, God speaks.
But the second aspect of Moses’ question is also intriguing. “Did any people ever hear the voice of a god . . . and still live?” Most of humanity mocks the words of God. Jesus Christ is spoken but often in blasphemy. God’s words are argued over, questioned for the legitimacy, and claimed to be written by men. But worse, they often disregarded, ignore, scorned, and flouted. Moses isn’t even questioning all that. He wonders at how Israel could hear God speaking in the midst of fire, thunder, dark clouds, and lightning and then live! Realize that when people saw angels, they thought they would die. In Exodus 20, they heard the living God’s voice. I don’t think any considered that event as a casual event of no consequence. It struck fear in their hearts.
It should strike you as sheer grace that God has spoken to us in His Word. This is an act of coming down to our level, lowering His majesty to our needs. I am ashamed to admit that sometimes I do not find a desire to read, meditation, honor, or obey His Words. Those are sinful attitudes and not worthy of a person that God saved from His wrath.
Ask God to give you a heart to know His Word. Seek the Christ the Bible speaks about repeatedly. As you read, remember v. 40, “Therefore you shall keep his statutes and his commandments, which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for all time.” It is not enough to read or study the Bible, we must obey the teachings and hunger after more instruction.
I think we would know when we experience renewal. It would be when our Bible classes, our services, our events are full of people who want to learn more about Christ. I hope someday, sometime in my life, I get to experience that. I would love to watch a pouring out of God’s Spirit that results in people hungry for God’s Word.
Lord how blessed we are to have the Bible in our own language. We have the internet to learn as much as we want to from godly Bible teachers. We are part of a church that teaches the Bible, worships Him in Spirit and truth, administers the sacraments, and practices Biblical discipline. Stir us up to be woke to the gospel. Awaken our hearts and minds to Your glory. We plead with You in Christ’s name. Amen.