Week 8: Deuteronomy 4-26

 

Reflection: Moses’ sermons in Deuteronomy do more than simply restate the law and the covenant stipulations. They also serve to expound upon the Ten Commandments, offering deeper insight into each one. Below is a chart that shows how the chapters in Deuteronomy correspond to each of the Ten Commandments, helping us understand how the principles laid out in the law are further applied and explained throughout Moses's final addresses to the people.

Source: God's Glory in Salvation through Judgment, pg 128

Deuteronomy 4-7: God Alone. John Calvin once noted that our hearts are "idol factories," constantly prone to replacing God with lesser things. As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, their greatest danger wasn’t external threats like famine, disease, or foreign enemies—it was the internal temptation to worship idols. Moses reminds the people that God is "a jealous God" (4:24) and that the miracles and signs they witnessed were meant to reveal that the Lord alone is God (4:35). He alone is worthy of their full devotion, to be loved "with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might" (6:5).

Deuteronomy 8-10: Forgetfulness. Why was God driving the Canaanites out of their land? It wasn’t due to the righteousness of Israel, but because of the "wickedness of these nations" (9:4). The Israelites are then reminded of their own past failures and rebellions against God. All of this serves to warn them not to “forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments” (8:11). In the ongoing struggle against the flesh, Satan, and sin, the call is clear: don’t forget the Lord.

Deuteronomy 11-14: Deceitfulness. Moses continues his sermon, warning the Israelites not only against the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations (12:29ff) but also against internal threats. He cautions them about false prophets and even family members who might secretly lead them away from wholehearted devotion to God (Ch. 13). While these external threats remain, there is an even greater danger closer to home. In 11:16, Moses urges the people to "take care lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them." The real threat lies in the subtle deception of sin. We must be vigilant in guarding our hearts, resisting the deceit that seeks to pull us away from God.

Deuteronomy 15-18: Provision. The bookends of today’s reading emphasize God's incredible provision. The Israelites are reminded to show compassion toward the poor and not to “harden [their] heart or shut [their] hand” (15:7, 10), but to give freely, with hearts full of gratitude. In Chapter 18, the Levites, though lacking an inheritance in the land, are cared for by God, receiving their sustenance directly from Him (18:3-4). Yet, God’s provision extends even further. Moses prophesies that God will raise up "a prophet like [him]" (18:15), one to whom He will entrust His very words. That prophet is Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise, who is the final Word given to us.

Deuteronomy 19-22: A Cursed Tree. "And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree..." (21:22). This echoes the law given to Adam in the beginning: obedience would lead to life, but disobedience would result in death. In a similar way, all sin is an act of disobedience against God, deserving death. However, Christ took our place, hanging on the cross, bearing the curse meant for us. Through His sacrifice, He turned our death sentence into life.

Deuteronomy 23-26: On Guard. "When you are encamped against your enemies, then you shall keep yourself from every evil thing" (23:9). While this verse specifically addresses times of battle, it doesn’t suggest that there are times when the Israelites could let their guard down against sin. The call to holiness is constant, but in the midst of conflict, they must be especially vigilant against temptation. This is a reminder that when we face trials or challenges, we must be even more careful to avoid sin, recognizing the increased temptation in those moments. Always guard yourself, but especially when the enemy is near.

Family Discussion Questions

• How can we tell whether a word is truly from the Lord? (Deut 13)
• Why does God provide cities of refuge for the manslayer? Why does He also allow the people to divorce? Does this pervert God's justice and ordered pattern?