Deuteronomy 4:5-9, “See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the LORD my God commanded
me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take
possession of it. (6) Keep them and do them, for that will be your
wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear
all these statutes, will say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and
understanding people.' (7) For what great nation is there that has a god
so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? (8)
And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous
as all this law that I set before you today?
(9) "Only take care, and
keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen,
and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known
to your children and your children's children…”
Deuteronomy 4
leads us into the restating of the Law that God first gave to their parents at
Mount Sinai. This chapter serves as an introduction to the Law, it speaks of
the benefits that come with keeping the Law and emphasises the importance of
certain commands, particularly idolatry.
In verses 5-9,
we have both instruction and encouragement. Firstly, Moses urges, implores the
people of Israel to keep, observe and obey all of God’s commands. The
Israelites were not much different to us, they found laws burdensome and
obedience tiresome. Observing God’s Law, having it as their chief delight and
desire was much easier said than done. Like us, they needed constant reminding,
encouragement and motivation to obey and do God’s Law.
Therefore, after
having instructed the people to keep God’s Law, Moses then offers them
encouragement and motivation. Moses encourages them on personal, national and
family levels.
For each individual
Israelite, the encouragement is that by keeping and doing God’s Law, it will lead
them into wisdom, understanding, admiration and respect. On a national level,
should Israel keep and obey God’s Law, the world will take notice. They will
respect and admire the nation of Israel. In fact, it will cause them to look at
their own nation, their own lives and even their own gods, and begin to
question why it is that they lack what the Israelites have. What is wrong with
them and with their god, that what they have is inferior? On a family level,
Moses encourages them by stating that through keeping and doing God’s law it
will be for the good of their family, it will give their children wisdom and
understanding, and will bring them life under God’s blessing.
We have the
habit of looking at God’s Law in a negative manner. Negative, because it
highlights how far short we fall of it, and because it is hard to observe and
keep God’s Law, especially when it means we have to deny ourselves some form of
pleasure. Thus, we tempted to see the Law as a kill-joy, there to prevent anyone
from having fun. Yet the Law is nothing like this. We need to remind ourselves
that God’s Law is perfect, holy, just, good and right, therefore it is the best
possible law we could ever want or have. The design of the Law is for our
highest good and God’s greatest glory. When we obey God’s Law, God is glorified
and honoured by us and by the world, and therefore, we receive blessings from
God for our obedience. We see this attitude in the life of Christ, He never
gave the impression that God’s Law was burdensome or tiresome. He took delight
in it, it was His joy to live in complete obedience to it, upholding,
fulfilling and teaching it at every opportunity. The result was that God was
glorified and the whole world has received and continues to receive the
blessings of Christ’s obedience. It is clear to see that Christ sets the
example for us in this regards.
As Christians,
we are saved from being under the curse of the Law and have been set free by
Christ. However, this doesn’t mean that we can throw the Law away and ignore
it. Not even Jesus did that! Jesus upheld and kept the Law perfectly, not
because it is a means of salvation, but because obeying God’s Law, is to do the
will of God. Obedience brings glory and honour to God. Our obedience to Christ
and the Gospel is the primary means of bringing glory and honour to God. Having
submitted to Christ, we are then to walk in the footsteps of Christ, we are to
follow the example of Christ. What did Christ do? He observed, upheld, kept and
obey God’s Word, God’s Law with a faultless perfection and with joyful
obedience. Yes, we may be in Christ, and out from underneath the curse of the
Law, but that doesn’t mean we are now outside of the Law, that we can now live
our lives apart from the Law. God’s Law is perfect, holy, just, good and right
and we should follow Christ by considering it our delight and joy to do it. Furthermore,
in obeying God’s Law, we also have the promise of gaining wisdom, understanding
and life, whilst causing the world to see the truth and glory of God.
Lord God, we thank You for Your perfect, holy, just,
good and right laws which You gave to us in Your love for us. Thank You that through
Your Law we can gain wisdom, understanding and life. May it truly be our joy
and the desire of our hearts to observe and obey it. Forgive us for the many
times that we have kicked against it, refused to do it, or thought of it as
cruel. May we follow the example of our Saviour, God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Help us by means of Your Spirit, to hold fast to the grace and salvation that
is our through Christ and to show ourselves to be true children of God through
our obedience. Grant us the grace and strength to do this all for Your glory.
Amen.
