Deuteronomy Chapter 4 Discussion



 
  • GiGi on Deuteronomy 4 - 5 months ago
    cont.

    I think I am on 8

    8) Although God commands them against idolatry, He tells them that they will indeed turn from Him to idols, corrupting themselves before God, doing the very evil He tells them to avoid. He will remove them from the land, as He promised to do to them at Horeb if they departed from the covenant relationship with Him. He will scatter them among the nations (which happened in the exile to Babylon and Assyria, and in 70 A.D.) and their numbers will be greatly decreased. (25-28)

    9) He promises to receive them back to Himself if they repent and seek Him with all of their hearts (29-31). He will do the same to us when we backslid and repent.

    Verses 40-49 seem to belong to the next section (ch. 5)

    We, too, are in a covenant with God, the New Covenant sealed by the blood of Jesus, Son of the Father, who sealed it for us without our input. It is totally God's doing, just as with the covenant made with Abraham. Abraham slept, and the Godhead sealed the covenant without Abraham being awake to participate in the sealing. He was given the promise, but God did the work of the covenant. So, too, with us, the covenant that saves us is a gift to us from God, not earned by us by our obedience, but like Abraham, our obedience results from being given the gift of faith by the Holy Spirit. It is a better covenant than that of the one made at Sinai. It was made at Mt. Calvary at Golgotha, when Jesus was crucified and died for us.

    The only perplexing part of this chapter to me is that of image making. I certainly understand that we are not to create or have any object that would represent God, nor make any idol. But the language seems to say that we are not to make images of anything. Does this rule out art, such as paintings sculptures, drawings, carvings in stone for the sake of beauty? The tabernacle curtains had cherubim on them and the ark of the covenant had angels forged to overlook the mercy seat. These were commanded by God. There were other images. ?
  • GiGi on Deuteronomy 4 - 5 months ago
    Takeaways from this chapter:

    1) God says in verse 39 that He alone is God and that there is no other true God. He establishes this as a fact to the people of Israel. He reminds them of the price paid by those who sinned by serving the god of the Moabites-Ba'al Peor with the Midianite women. They all died and only those who did not worship this false god survived to that day.

    2) God reminds them of all the ways He has delivered the nation: from Egypt, in battle, in the wilderness. He expects the nation to remember these things and teach their children these things.

    3) God warns them about departing from Him to worship false idols, for they are not truly god, nor able to help the Israelites.

    4) God reminds the nation that he is merciful and good, will not forsake them, and will keep His covenant with their forefathers. (vs. 31)

    5) He tells them to keep the covenant made at Mt. Horeb according to the commandments He gave them engraved by Him on stone tablets. (vs. 13)

    6) He commands not to add to the words of the covenant and His commandments nor to take any words away. (vs.2) We are to keep His words separate from the words of mere human thoughts.

    7) He recalls to the people how He had met with them on Mt. Horeb Sinai) and had given them the covenant and Law that they were to adhere to and not turn from. They are wisdom and understanding for the Israelites. (5-6. 10)

    8) He tells them how they have been set apart in a special way from all the nations of the world, with God so near, because he is everywhere present (vs.7-8) The wisdom and understanding of the covenant and Law will be noticed by the other nations if Israel lives them out. In

    8) He reminds them how He appeared to them on Mt. Horeb in fire and spoke out of the fire, but they did not see any form of Him. (vs. 12) Therefore, they are not to try to make any image to represent Him. (15-19) He wanted the Israelites to worship Him, not any image. It is a spiritual worship, as Jesus. ( Jn. 4:24)
  • GiGi - In Reply on Deuteronomy 4 - 1 year ago
    Dear Kobe, You have asked some questions that are perplexing.

    In this post I will address the first one.

    Why are we told not to be jealous when the Bible says that God is jealous?

    We must understand that our emotions are not pure and holy like God's are. Jealousy for us is a negative and usually sinful emotion for us because we are jealous out of selfish love.

    On the other hand, God is Jealous for His people and does not want them to follow after other gods because us doing so is destructive to us being so sinful as to sever the relationship between us and God. God wants us to follow, serve and worship Him alone because it benefits us tremendously to do so. so, for our sake, God is jealous because He does not want us to be separated from Him by us being unfaithful and idolatrous.
  • Kobe Southern on Deuteronomy 4 - 1 year ago
    Why does God not want us to be jealous but in the bible, it says he is a jealous God?

    And if we are servants of God, why did he come to Earth as a servant and in the likeness of a man, didn't he want us to believe that he was God if he did so much why didn't he make it so much easier a have scientifical proof or just turn into an light so bright that only the son of God could turn into?

    And if God is so good why does he let bad things happen to good people all the time, and if he is all powerful and don't want anyone to go to hell why did he create the devil because he knew that he would turn on him in heaven so isn't that God's fault?

    And if he gave us free will how does he know what we are always going to do technically he didn't give us free will since he knows technically he wrote out our lives for us is this true or not sorry for asking weird questions I just need to know?
  • S Spencer - In Reply on Deuteronomy 4 - 2 years ago
    Hi Richard.

    I'm editing my previous statement.

    I stated;

    "God foreknew the they would stumble when he made the promises and covenant. That's why he performed the covenant with Abraham alone."

    I was meaning he went into an unconditional covenant with Abraham, and God performed it alone, so he put Abraham in a deep sleep.

    God bless.
  • Roman - In Reply on Deuteronomy 4 - 2 years ago
    Moses also broke the commandment of "thou shall not kill".
  • S Spencer - In Reply on Deuteronomy 4 - 2 years ago
    Amen Richard.

    Thank God for his mercies and faithfulness, He keeps his promises!

    God foreknew the they would stumble when he made the promises and covenant. That's why he performed the covenant with Abraham alone.

    And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?

    And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.

    And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.

    And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.

    And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.

    And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not their's, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

    And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.

    And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.

    But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

    And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.

    In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: Genesis 15:8-18.

    God bless you and all you do.
  • Richard H Priday on Deuteronomy 4 - 2 years ago
    This passage shows the last great speech of Moses; before he went to his death as stated in verse 21 and 22. Even he was unable; because of one time of anger striking the rock for water an extra time (symbolic in some ways of Christ) that he was not allowed to enter the Promised Land but saw it from afar.

    Once again; they are reminded not to worship idols. The past manifestations of God on the mountain with fire was reiterated; and warnings as to future sin and being dispersed among the nations in exile after many died in the land would certainly come to pass. There is even a prophetic statement about the last days and tribulation (v. 30) where God still promised some mercy for repentance. This demonstrates the sad reality that Moses knew as God Himself that there would be rebellion as long as man remained in his sinful state until Christ returns. Nonetheless; God's covenant would remain (verse 31).

    The blindness among the nation of Israel will finally be removed right before the return of Christ according to Zechariah. Romans states this as continuing until the "time of the Gentiles be complete ( Romans 11:25; see also Luke 21:24). Truly, there has been a time in the wilderness for the Jews up until today; as they have been unable to assess the suffering servant in Isaiah 53 as being Christ. Sadly; many will fall for Antichrist when "another comes in his own name" ( John 5:43). The lesson of going after enemies without God's blessing due to sin in the camp was something prevalent at that time. It was sin which caused such an extensive delay to get out of the desert; and would continually cause the nation to fall short of the promises in God's covenant for the Promised Land. Nonetheless; mercy stands as we have a God much more patient than you or I. Time and time again He forgives despite the heart of man which is desperately wicked ( Jeremiah 17:9).
  • David - In Reply on Deuteronomy 4 - 2 years ago
    Shanon One question from a Spiritual point of view why would piercing anything help you walk with

    God and second answer is simply yes Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
  • GiGi" - In Reply on Deuteronomy 4 - 2 years ago
    Part of the old testament Levitical law spoke against piercings and tattoos as the pagans around the Israelites did as part of their religious worship or identification with a specific idol, along with "cutting" themselves in rituals.

    AS far as your Question concerning Jesus being the Son of God. Yes, He is the Father's Son. The Father's son existed for all eternity with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One in essence, but three in persons. When the Son also became flesh in and was born Jesus, He was both the eternal Son of God and the Son of Man (who had a human beginning) united in the same Person of Jesus. Jesus was fully human and fully God and will remain as such forever. This is classical Christian teaching going back to the apostles. I recommend the site forgottenchristianityDOTcom under the subject of the Trinity. The author gives a very good and reasonably understood explanation of this.

    Thanks for asking this question.
  • Shanon on Deuteronomy 4 - 2 years ago
    are nose piercings allowed?

    is Jesus Christ the son of God?
  • Darlene - In Reply on Deuteronomy 4:39 - 2 years ago
    Thanks so much!
  • Darlene - In Reply on Deuteronomy 4:39 - 2 years ago
    Thank you so much.
  • Darlene - In Reply on Deuteronomy 4:39 - 2 years ago
    Thanks , so much for your reply! I always feel such a relief when I get the answers! Thanks
  • Earl Bowman - In Reply on Deuteronomy 4:39 - 2 years ago
    Sister Darlene, may CHRIST IN US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.

    The Bible is THE WORD; therefore, the words are the (Heavenly) Fathers. Proverbs 6:20 is the (Heavenly) FATHER saying to you THE SON (or daughter) to keep his words. It does not contradict the scripture in Matthew telling you to call no one father; but GOD THE (heavenly) FATHER.
  • CherylAnn - In Reply on Deuteronomy 4:39 - 2 years ago
    The context of Matthew 23:9 tells us that referring to one's biological father as "father" is not what Jesus is speaking about.

    In Matthew 23:1-12, Jesus is denouncing the Jewish scribes and Pharisees for rejecting Him as their Messiah, in particular for their hypocrisy in elevating themselves above others with titles such as "teacher" and "master." The Jewish teachers affected those titles because they supposed that a teacher formed the man or gave him real life. They sought, therefore, to be called "father," as if they were the source of truth rather than God. Christ taught that the source of all life and truth is God, and no one ought to seek or receive a title that properly belongs to Him. No one should be as revered as God is.

    This denunciation is equally relevant today. In no way should any person look up to, follow, or elevate a human leader in any religious or church organization above Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Head of the Church, which is His body. He alone is the author of our salvation, source of comfort in difficulties, and strength to live the Christian life. He is the only One to whom our prayers should be directed. No one else has the right to say, "Look to me to meet your spiritual needs." Jesus' warning against calling men "father" is a caution against ostentation, pride, and hypocrisy.

    Roman Catholics call their priests "father," and the Pope is the "holy father." Abbots take their title from the Aramaic word abba, which means "father." This is clearly unbiblical. The priest as "father" is problematic. In the case of "holy father," there is no doubt this title is unbiblical. No man can take on the title of "holy" anything, because only God is holy. This title gives the Pope a status that is never intended for any man on earth.
  • Darlene on Deuteronomy 4:39 - 2 years ago
    Why in Matthew does it say" call no one you father on earth for you only have One Father in heaven.

    And then in proverbs 6:20 it turns around and calls your father -father? I don't get that.

    Thanks
  • Gary Stamper on Deuteronomy 4:39 - 2 years ago
    Knowing there's something missing in your life. Bringing that to your attention while trying to understand the Bible. Surrender your life to Jesus Christ, turn away from your sin and He will save you, (come into your heart). Ask the Holy Spirit to accomplishes His work by giving you understanding of the scripture and the power to walk in it.

    Surrender is our big part in this and allow Jesus through the Holy Spirit to do his work.
  • Mishael - In Reply on Deuteronomy 4:39 - 2 years ago
    King David in Psalm 51.

    Clearly shows his own disgust over his past behavior and choices. A genuine repentance and desire to be restored into right relationship with the Lord again.
  • Enoch on Deuteronomy 4:39 - 2 years ago
    Examples of trouble members in the bible?
  • Suziq - In Reply on Deuteronomy 4:39 - 2 years ago
    Thankyou David ,that was a very good explanation and helpfull to me ,i guess i get a bit touchy when i hear the phrase "the spirit guides us " ,thats totally my fault ,it reminds of the kind of things that so called mediums say ,those guys really annoy me ! I guess i need to leave my baggage at the door before i post on here ,may Christ return very soon ,to save us from ourselves and each other and may God bless you and all your house David .
  • David - In Reply on Deuteronomy 4:39 - 2 years ago
    Jeremiah tells us of what the Lord God sees in our heart. Paul writes in Romans 7 the battle in mind and hearts to love and serve God. The same struggle we all go through. However, Paul also reminds us about how if any be in Christ, he is now a "new creature" and that "...old things have passed away behold all things are become new."( 2 Corinthians 5: 17)

    Paul encourages us into this new mind set through Col 3:1-6. Where he admonishes us to mortify or kill the things that "...sake the wrath of God..." onto the children of disobedience. v. 10 But also to "...put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him."

    But before we try to "put on" the new man, we need to "put off" the things cause us to fall constantly. v. 8

    The struggle is tough, but the Lord promises us victory when we try. That's the Holy Spirit's job, to remind us, to encourage us, to strengthen and especially to comfort us. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3: 5, 6

    May the Lord's blessing be evident on all who endeavor to love and worship our soon coming Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • S Spencer - In Reply on Deuteronomy 4:39 - 2 years ago
    Hi Suziq.

    Jeremiah 17:9. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

    YOU ARE SO RIGHT, IN THE HEBREW I THINK IT ACTUALLY SAYS INCURABLY WICKED.

    THAT'S WHY GOD DON'T REPAIR THE OLD HEART, HE GIVES US A NEW HEART.

    Ezekiel 36:26-27. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

    And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

    Ezekiel 11:19. And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I WILL TAKE THE STONY HEART OUT OF THEIR FLESH, and will give them an heart of flesh:

    Proverbs 3:3-6. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

    So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

    Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

    In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

    Even the desciples was confused throughout Jesus ministry.

    John 6:60-63. Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

    When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?

    What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

    IT IS THE SPIRIT THAT QUICKENETH; THE FLESH PROFITETH NOTHING: THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK UNTO YOU, THEY ARE SPIRIT, AND THEY ARE LIFE.

    John 16:12-13. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

    Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

    ALSO

    1 CORINTHIANS CH 2.

    GOD BLESS.
  • Suziq - In Reply on Deuteronomy 4:39 - 2 years ago
    Hello S Spencer ,i am far too mistrustfull of my own sinfull nature , Jeremiah ch17 v9 ,my guide is definately the words in the Bible ,the words of God and the words of Jesus ,i can see them in print and know they are eternaly true , if the Holy Spirit ever told you to do something that was in oposition to what has been written for us and preserved for us in the Bible ,would you do it ? Im guessing and hoping not ,that heart that Jeremiah talks about isnt the devils ,its ours , Genesis ch8 v21 , Numbers ch15 v30&31 , i am sure some one will accuse me of speaking against the Holy Spirit but i shant take offence and i dont mean to offend ,its just that i believe that God gave us the Bible to instruct and guide us closer to Him and my own sinfull nature is not to be trusted but Gods Word will never steer me wrong .
  • S Spencer - In Reply on Deuteronomy 4:39 - 2 years ago
    Amen David!!

    And it's the "NEW " heart in which that passion comes, It's the Holyspirit that guides us.

    God bless.
  • David on Deuteronomy 4:39 - 2 years ago
    Many are still ignorant with regards to their relationship to the Lord God, Jesus Christ. The difference is simply why and how you live. I trust and obey the Scripture because the Lord saved me unto good works. Ephesians 2: 8-10. The Key is that I am already saved so I work. Why? To show My Lord and Saviour that I love Him. I work because I am saved, Not to get saved
  • Cheryl on Deuteronomy 4:7 - 2 years ago
    This whole chapter gives a a great definition of God's leadership as Moses saw and was guided to do, can we stand by these instructions today, due to the distractions causes us to go off cause mainly not all the way because the Holy Spirit convicts us that brings us back on course so the spirit man constantly battles, thank be to God who gives us the victory to fight the fight and win. Wisdom ,knowledge, and understanding brings us to God's light and truth of being a winner. Thank you Yeshua Amen.
  • Jonah Williams on Deuteronomy 4:6 - 3 years ago
    This is a good verse
  • Robert - In Reply on Deuteronomy 4 - 3 years ago
    With regards to this thread, I must ask for my own clarification, "How is the cross any different?"

    We worship the lamb, the cross, etc.

    Made by men's hands...

    No life or breathe in them...

    Not trying to be argumentative; it just always pricks me when I read these scriptures because not only do I believe in devotional studies, but I also believe in keeping the context and reading from Genesis to Revelations.
  • Love for Truth - In Reply on Deuteronomy 4 - 4 years ago
    Amen we must understand the truth and realize that Jesus the mighty God ,Jehovah ,heavenly father was manifested in the flesh according to 1 Timothy 3:16 a lot of Christian's are confused about this as Phillip was in John 14:8-9 Jesus said he that hath seen me hath seen the Father.God the one and only manifested in the flesh is Jesus Christ the head of All principality and power. Colossians 2:9-10


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