Practice Obedience Digently - Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9, 15-20, 39-40 - June 10, 2007

Sunday School Lesson – Practice Obedience Diligently – June 10, 2007

Our background scripture is Deuteronomy 4:1-5:33.

Our focus scripture is Deuteronomy 4:1-2. 6-9, 15-20, 39-40.

This is lesson two (2) in our study. Our scripture is taken from the Old Testament but the principles are relevant to us today. The major difference between then and now is that they were under the law but we are under grace. The law is still in effect. The law gives the world a standard of performance. JESUS put a fine point on the law by placing it into context of having to keep the spirit of the law in thought as well as deed. When we see the law in that context, most of us will respond, then how can any of us keep the spirit of the law? That is why we need JESUS and that is why we need grace that only GOD can give to all who are saved by grace through our LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Make GOD’S Word Your Standard. Our beginning scripture is Moses’ message from GOD to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. It is vital that we be spiritually prepared when we follow and serve our LORD.

Let’s read Deuteronomy 4:1-2:

1 “Now, Israel, listen to the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live, enter, and take possession of the land the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. 2 You must not add anything to what I command you or take anything away from it,[1] Dt 12:32; Rv 22:18–19 so that you may keep the commands of the Lord your God I am giving you.

Just as the Israelites had to be spiritually prepared to enter into the Promised Land, it is vital for Christians to be spiritually prepared to enter and for them to remain in the place GOD has provided for them. Moses is giving the Israelites and in turn each of us today some valuable advice.

Moses urged the Israelites to keep the commands of GOD. We must keep in mind that keeping the commands of GOD and making the sacrifices in the Old Testament showed the Israelites’ obedience to GOD. The keeping of the commands and rituals preserved them until they were fully redeemed by CHRIST in the New Testament. We as humans cannot keep the commands and rituals of GOD well enough to earn salvation. However, there is one command that will earn us salvation and that is acknowledging that JESUS is GOD’S ONLY SON, that HE died on the cross for our sins and HE was raised from the dead as proof that HE is WHO HE said HE is.

We as humans often try to rewrite the scriptures in our minds to justify our actions and our situations. Rewriting scripture, as we wish, always leads to confusion, loss of confidence and trust in GOD. GOD is sovereign and HE wants all of HIS children to know HIM as HE is and not how we want HIM to be. To really know HIM is critical in being obedient to HIM.

The next scripture is also critical in following and serving our LORD. It is vital that we walk with HIM to carefully guard our testimony. We may be the only Christian some people will encounter. May others see CHRIST in us.

Let’s read Deuteronomy 4:6-9:

6 Carefully follow [them]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. , for this will [show]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the peoples. When they hear about all these statutes, they will say, ‘This great nation is indeed a wise and understanding people.’ 7 For what great nation is there that has a god near to it as the Lord our God is [to us]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. whenever we call to Him? 8 And what great nation has righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you today? 9 “Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you don’t forget the things your eyes have seen and so that they don’t slip from your mind as long as you live. Teach them to your children and your grandchildren.

Moses is stressing the need for the Israelites to remember who they are. They are representing GOD to fellow Jews and to the people of other nations.

As Christians we have the same responsibility. Our testimony is critical as we journey through life. We journey through the world every day. We come into contact with many people each day. Some people we interact with directly e.g. our children, our spouse, other family members, business associates, the clerk at a store, the person at the fast food counter, socially, spiritually, conducting business, etc. Other people will observe us as we interact with others and as we encounter life’s situations.

Ouch!!! That hurts. I know that I am far from being all CHRIST wants me to be. How we speak and treat others and especially our family sends a message to others. The tone of our voice is important. Our temper and how we control it is critical. The list goes on and on. As a Christian we may be the only Bible others may read and determine whether or not they want to seek what we have in CHRIST or drive them away from seeking HIM.

This is tough. We all are human and often our flesh nature rises up when others just do not act like we think they should. This is not rolling over and putting up with bad behavior. It is controlling how we respond to bad behavior. This is tough. This is why we must have the relationship with our LORD to stay in balance and control during difficult moments. I blow it and have to confess it to the LORD and ask for forgiveness. This often results in me having to ask someone to forgive me for my actions. We have to maintain our testimony to be effective representatives for our LORD.

Maintaining our relationship with CHRIST will help us maintain our interaction with others. This is not rolling over and allowing others walk on us. But it is us conducting ourselves in a CHRIST like manner. There were times JESUS got angry. We can hate the sin but love the sinner.

Avoid Idolatry At All Costs.

Let’s read Deuteronomy 4:15-20:

15 “Be extremely careful for your own good—because you did not see any form on the day the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire— 16 not to act corruptly and make an idol for yourselves in the shape of any figure: a male or female form, 17 or the form of any beast on the earth, any winged creature that flies in the sky, 18 any creature that crawls on the ground, or any fish in the waters under the earth. 19 When you look to the heavens and see the sun, moon, and stars—all the array of heaven—do not be led astray to bow down and worship them. The Lord your God has provided them for all people everywhere under heaven. 20 But the Lord selected you and brought you out of Egypt’s iron furnace to be a people for His inheritance, as you are today.

GOD made it clear to the Israelites and HE makes it clear to us today, no images of HIM or of any thing else in an effort to represent HIM!!! HE makes it clear to the Israelites that they had only heard HIS voice and had never seen HIM.

We know from scripture that Moses asked GOD to let him see HIS face. GOD said no. But HE would let him see the back of HIS head. Now think about this for a minute. GOD has a face, a back and a body like ours because HE will walk past Moses and cover Moses with HIS hand as HE passes by. This is recorded in Exodus 33:17-22:

17 So the LORD said to Moses, "I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name." 18 And he said, "Please, show me Your glory." 19 Then He said, "I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." 20 But He said, "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live." 21 And the LORD said, "Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. 22 "So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. 23 "Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen."

The disciples asked JESUS to show them the FATHER. HIS answer is recorded in John 14:8-11:

8 “Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time without your knowing Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me?[5] Jn 10:30,38 The words I speak to you I do not speak on My own. The Father who lives in Me does His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. Otherwise, believe[6] Other mss read believe Me because of the works themselves.

In verse 20, GOD told the Israelites that HE had brought them out of the iron furnace for HIS purpose to be HIS people and HIS nation. We have been saved and born-again for GOD’S purpose. To achieve that purpose we must be obedient to GOD. To be obedient we must know and trust GOD.
In the crucible of bondage of slavery in Egypt, GOD prepared the Israelites to journey to the Promised Land. HE selected a people to be HIS and to make a nation of them. Through them HE would give the ultimate gift to all mankind, HIS ONLY SON JESUS.

The crucible of life prepares us today to journey to our Promised Land. GOD leads the way. We are to join HIM as HE leads. Often most of us think we need to lead GOD. We are to be obedient as HE reveals truth to us through HIS Word and through the HOLY SPIRIT. This is why our relationship with HIM is critical.

We think paganism is dead today but many of us sacrifice our children and loved ones on the alter of neglect. We who know CHRIST are called by GOD to teach and be the Christian example to our children and the world we come in contact with every day. The most valuable things we can give are time and an example. We must put into practice what we preach. But often it is “Do as I say and not as I do.” We cannot have a dual standard. We must be consistent.

Realize GOD Blesses Obedience.

Let’s read Deuteronomy 4:39-40:

39 Today, recognize and keep in mind that the Lord is God in heaven above and on earth below; there is no other. 40 Keep His statutes and commands, which I am giving you today, so that you and your children after you may prosper and so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you for all time.”

Moses is reminding the Israelites that once they arrive in the Promised Land not to forget GOD. Do not let the gods of materialism, pride, a sense of security and a sense of plenty rule your lives.

All Christians have to be alert to becoming complacent when we arrive in our Promised Land. GOD is still GOD and we are to continue in our relationship with HIM. It is when we pull away from GOD that the god of this world moves into our lives to pull us back into the bondage of the flesh.

When Moses says to keep HIS statues and commands in verse 40 that you may prosper and live long, we must be careful. We can get the idea that when we serve GOD all will go well with us. This is not true. Christians have their portion of problems. Also, the word “prosper” does not necessarily mean prospering as the world interprets prosperity. In many instances “prosper” means to grow and mature spiritually. As we build our relationship with GOD nothing can compare with that relationship. Time with our loved ones is priceless. Time with our LORD is priceless. Time with our LORD brings peace to our being and we can give HIM all of our burdens, troubles and cares. When HE carries our burdens and we are obedient to HIM that results in longer life and peace with our fellow humans. Allowing HIM to carry our load relieves our stress. Harmony with our fellow man also relieves stress and lessens the possibility of confrontation.

Enter the Promised Land of fellowship with our LORD today by yielding your life to HIM and follow HIM obediently. Then the flood gates of heaven will open and flood your being with the joy of the LORD. GOD loves obedience. We as parents also love for our children to be obedient. GOD is no different!