Deuteronomy 4:25-49
Q.1. What would happen should Israel turn to other gods? Why will God never abandon His Covenant with His people? (Dt.4:25-31)
This is both a warning and a prophecy that Israel would become apostate in the coming generations, after they would possess the Promised Land. It also predicted that they would be removed to foreign lands where they would come under the influence of useless man-made gods. However, the Lord left the door open for a remnant to be restored in the latter days – 29 But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul (Dt.4:29). In fact, the nation WILL return to their God – When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days you will return to the Lord your God and listen to His voice (Dt.4:30). This is not on account of Israel’s worthiness but is a reflection of the heart of God and His Covenant keeping nature – For the Lord your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them (Dt.4:31 c.f. Rom.11:29). Unlike man, God is a God of grace.
Q.2. What did God’s action on Israel’s behalf prove about His nature? What appeal did He make to His people? (Dt.4:32-40)
God wanted Israel to consider the enormity of His grace in choosing them out of all nations and acting on their behalf when they were powerless slaves. This proved the surpassing power of God and His faithfulness to their forefathers. There is a great paradox in God’s appeal to His people: It was a warning to stay true to God Who has proven that He is on His own in Heaven above, and on earth below – Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the Lord, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other (Dt.4:39). At the same time God unveiled His plan for Israel regarding the Promised Land, that was to be theirs forever – So you shall keep His statutes and His commandments which I am giving you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may live long on the land which the Lord your God is giving you for all time (Dt.4:39-40). This further confirmed that the prophecies of the Millennium involving the twelve tribes of Israel, described in Ezekiel chapters 40-48 a thousand years later, were no mistake.
Q.3. What provision did God make for broken relationships? How did God confirm that He was for the nation of Israel? (Dt.4:41-49)
From the outset, the Lord understood the frailty of all men, and their inevitable failure to keep His law. Therefore, He gave them Cities of Refuge – that a manslayer might flee there, who unintentionally slew his neighbour without having enmity toward him in time past; and by fleeing to one of these cities he might live (Dt.4:42). Upon Israel’s leaving Egypt with mighty signs, God continued to demonstrate His love and power by overpowering all opposition against His people – 46 … Sihon king of the Amorites who lived at Heshbon, whom Moses and the sons of Israel defeated when they came out from Egypt. 47 They took possession of his land and the land of Og king of Bashan, the two kings of the Amorites, who were across the Jordan to the east (Dt.4:46-47).