OBEY MY COMMANDS

Moses--trained for 40 years, retrained for 40 years, a trainer of God's people for 40 years--uses his last few days to review and emphasize the life the LORD gave him to give to the Israelites.

In Deuteronomy Moses reviews the Greatness, Goodness, Grace, and Glory that he had experienced in his long lifetime.  It is a review for the benefit of God's people.

Chapters 1-3 review the experiences of the victories and failures of the people along with God's Gracious Patience, Mercy, and Goodness, His frequent appearnances in Glory, and the Greatness of His miracles in their behalf.

In chapter 4, we read of the strong, strong emphasis of Moses' message that we listen and obey the Law he was giving them.  This insistance on obedience is repeated over and over.

Let's listen with our minds and hearts for a few opening lines:

V 1--"Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach you.

Follow them so that you may live...

(the life) that the Lord...is giving you."

The Father said,

"This is My Beloved Son. 

Listen to Him." 

V. 2--Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it,

but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.

Jesus said,

"This is My commandment...

Whoever has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me.

He who loves Me will be loved by My Father,

and I will love him and reveal Myself to him."

Vv. 5-8--I have taught you decress and laws

as the Lord my God commanded me,

so that you may follow them in the land you are entering...

Paul said,

"In reading this you will be able to understand my insight..."

"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 

"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses

entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others."

Observe them carefully,

for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations...

Paul:
"Study...a workman...who correctly handles the word of truth."

Set your hearts...and minds...

The Lord our God is near us whenever we pray...

Jesus said,

"Ask, and you will receive...Whatever you ask in My Name."

...so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws

as the body of laws I am setting before you today...

Jesus said,

Make disciples...

teach them to obey everything I have commanded you...

I am with you always...

Deuternomy has a lot of "maintenance laws" for the Israelites.  Often perplexing to us, these many details show serve to show us how God's directions for living are.  Jesus said every word maters, and Paul said every thought must be brought into obedience to Jesus.  These "old laws" help us consider how important it is that we meditate on the laws in the entire Bible--Genesis to Revelation.  Finding and obeying results in our becoming like an oak displaying the splendor of our God.

God's Word--His laws, decrees, commandments, etc.--are empowered by the Holy Spirit to develop holiness and righteousness, character and conduct, integrity and credibility that

"will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations,

who will hear about all these decrees and say, '

Surely this great nation is

a wise and understanding people.'" 

Deut. 4.6

And so, we become the salt and light of the glory of God to this generation, chosen for us before the creation of heaven and earth.

And so, we will have many to disciple, baptize, and teach.

And so, there will be untold thousands upon thousands from every tribe and language and people and nation around the throne of the Lord Jesus proclaiming and singing in loud voices:

"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom

and strength and honor and glory and praise...

Then I heard every creature

in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea,

and all that is in them singing:

'To Him who sits on the throne

and to the Lamb

be praise and honor and glory and power,

for ever and ever!'"

FOR EVER AND EVER!!!