Deuteronomy — Being careful to remember

The context of Deuteronomy is this: Israel have wandered in the wilderness for forty years; a whole generation has perished because of disbelief and disobedience; a new generation is ready to possess the promised land. Now, Moses is giving his last sermon to the new generation — that’s the book of Deuteronomy. He’s exhorting them and warning them to be careful to avoid the mistakes of the previous generation and reminding them to keep the commandments of the Lord.

What really matters

In the first three chapters, Moses recollects the past events. He’s reminding the new generation of the sad turn of events that led to the 40 wasted years and how they’ve come to this point after much pain and needless suffering — finally ready to see God’s promised land. In chapter four, Moses’ exhortation begins:

Deuteronomy 4:1 Now, Israel, pay attention to the statutes and ordinances I am about to teach you, so that you might live and go on to enter and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. [NET2]

Notice that Moses is not talking about military strength in order to conquer and retain the land. Rather, he’s pointing them to God’s commands. The commands of God are far more important for the people of God. Wherever you are in life — as a child of God — His Word must take utmost priority. Your skills, abilities, talents, power, influence, career, wealth and strengths are of no use if you do not treasure God’s Word in your heart. Moses is clearly not bothered about their military capabilities:

Deuteronomy 9:1–3 Listen, Israel: Today you are about to cross the Jordan so you can dispossess the nations there, people greater and stronger than you who live in large cities with extremely high fortifications. 2 They include the Anakites, a numerous and tall people whom you know about and of whom it is said, “Who is able to resist the Anakites?” 3 Understand today that the LORD your God who goes before you is a devouring fire; he will defeat and subdue them before you. You will dispossess and destroy them quickly just as he has told you. [NET2]

Moses knew the one thing needed for them as a nation — God’s Word.

Deuteronomy 5:32–33 Be careful, therefore, to do exactly what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn right or left! 33 Walk just as he has commanded you so that you may live, that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land you are going to possess. [NET2]

As individuals or as communities — if we call ourselves by God’s Name and do not treasure His Word above everything, we will fail in our calling as followers of Christ.

The false Gospel

Even as Moses points Israel to God’s Word as the means for their success as a nation, we must never take this to mean that if we obey God, we will succeed in this world — and be healthy, wealthy and successful in every way. Paul writes:

1 Corinthians 15:19 For if only in this life we have hope in Christ, we should be pitied more than anyone. [NET2]

We are called for something more than success in this life. We are called to pursue Eternal life and godliness, not riches or success in this world:

1 Timothy 6:9–12 Those who long to be rich, however, stumble into temptation and a trap and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evils. Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains. 11 But you, as a person dedicated to God, keep away from all that. Instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness. 12 Compete well for the faith and lay hold of that eternal life you were called for and made your good confession for in the presence of many witnesses. [NET2]

Paul further makes it very clear that any such interpretation of Moses’ teachings (obedience to God as a means to health and wealth) is false teaching:

1 Timothy 6:5 … people corrupted in their minds and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a way of making a profit. [NET2]

We must be very clear about this — our pursuit of God’s Word and our commitment to Him is meant to lead us toward eternal life, love and Christlikeness — not toward riches. Worldly riches are not the reward. Actually, they can be a snare! In fact, Moses himself was afraid that prosperity would take the Israelites away from God.

Moses’ worst fears

Moses knew very well what riches, luxury and comfort could do to a person’s heart. He had such a life during the first 40 years of his life, growing up in the Egyptian palace.

Deuteronomy 8:11–14 Be sure you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping his commandments, ordinances, and statutes that I am giving you today. 12 When you eat your fill, when you build and occupy good houses, 13 when your cattle and flocks increase, when you have plenty of silver and gold, and when you have abundance of everything, 14 be sure you do not feel self-important and forget the LORD your God who brought you from the land of Egypt, the place of slavery, [NET2]

Deuteronomy 6:10–12 Then when the LORD your God brings you to the land he promised your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give you — a land with large, fine cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with choice things you did not accumulate, hewn out cisterns you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant — and you eat your fill, 12 be careful not to forget the LORD who brought you out of Egypt, that place of slavery. [NET2]

What Moses was afraid of was not the enemy outside but the enemy within — the depraved heart that is quick to forget and always wanting to go astray at the first opportunity.

Deuteronomy 4:9 Again, however, pay very careful attention, lest you forget the things you have seen and disregard them for the rest of your life; instead teach them to your children and grandchildren. [NET2]

Deuteronomy 4:23 Be on guard so that you do not forget the covenant of the LORD your God that he has made with you, and that you do not make an image of any kind, just as he has forbidden you. [NET2]

Look at the numerous commands not to forget (4:9,23;6:12;8:11,14)! We don’t want our pastor to repeat the same advice over and over again in a sermon. But sometimes, we need to be reminded of important truths more often than we think necessary! Someone listening to Moses might have thought, “C’mon Moses, you’re too sceptical! We’ll keep the commands of the Lord! Stop giving us too much advice!”. Sadly, the history of God’s chosen people goes on to prove Moses’ worst fears.

The missing link

If Israel went on to fall headlong, what hope do we have? Are we also heading in the same direction? Will we also fail? If such a great nation — that had seen God and His awesome power — failed to keep God’s covenant, what hope do we have? We have much more! How? Observe Moses’ advice:

Deuteronomy 4:23 Be on guard so that you do not forget the covenant of the LORD your God … [NET2]

Compare this with Apostle Paul’s command to Timothy:

2 Timothy 1:13–14 Hold to the standard of sound words that you heard from me and do so with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 Protect that good thing entrusted to you, through the Holy Spirit who lives within us. [NET2]

Both Paul and Moses are exhorting the next generation of believers to do the same thing — to remember, obey and keep God’s Word. But Paul adds something — “through the Holy Spirit” (2 Timothy 1:13). We have the Holy Spirit to help us keep, remember and obey God’s Word — and Israel did not have that privilege! The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit given to us because of what Jesus did on the Cross — He makes all the difference! Israel was called to guard. They were on their own and they failed. We are now called to guard with the help of the Holy Spirit! We have the helper with us:

Romans 8:11–16 Moreover if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his Spirit who lives in you. 12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh 13 (for if you live according to the flesh, you will die), but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children. [NET2]

We are God’s sons and daughters through Christ’s blood and His Holy Spirit! As His children we have His strength in us through the Holy Spirit! We have great help and great hope! We must read the lessons of Deuteronomy in the light of this hope.

Remembering our responsibility

Just because we have the Holy Spirit, we can’t discard Moses’ commands. What Moses commanded applies to us now — we must take heed to carefully study, remember and obey. Our wills, hearts and minds are very much involved in the process — the decisive difference being the help and work of the Holy Spirit. But we must still do our part to prioritize God’s Word, study it diligently, seek to understand it and strive to keep it — all with the help of the Holy Spirit!