Page 104 - Pentateuch

people (v. 6).” They are to teach the laws to their children as well (4:10). The focus of this call to obedience
is on God more than behavior. Their obedience will reflect their love and fear of him. The temptation will
be to follow other gods, images in the shape of a human, animals, or stars. He lists the idol possibilities in
the reverse of their creation order. Once God is abandoned, people slide to lower and lower gods. Such
idolatry will result in the loss of life and land. They will be scattered among the nations. Even if these things
should happen, YHWH would still be the merciful God toward them (4:15-31).

We might wonder about the promise of forgiveness given here at the beginning of God’s dealings with this
new generation. If it is a foregone conclusion that Israel will fail, will be scattered, and will be forgiven, isn’t
the call to obedience weakened? The lesson of Exodus and God giving Israel a second chance reminds us of
the spiritual principles involved. The assurance of forgiveness, even before sin is committed, actually
strengthens obedience. Instead of giving up in despair, the sinner is urged to turn to God ever more
thoroughly. God’s greatness is actually better displayed through his forgiveness than through his
destructive judgment. “If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is
forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you (Ps. 130:3, 4).”

The remarkable history of Israel is a prime example of God’s care. “Has anything so great as this ever
happened (4:32)?” “Has any other people heard the voice of God and lived (4:33)?” “Has any god tried to
take for himself one nation from another…by signs (4:34)?” Israel is called to witness the truth of God’s
hand and to keep this truth deep in their hearts. This is the only way they will ever obey (4:39, 40).

All of this is quite personal between God and his people. We should not emphasize the form of a vassal
treaty over the content. Note the appeal to the mind (vv. 3, 9, 12, 15, 34-36), the senses (vv. 5, 6, 19, 28),
and the learning/teaching process (vv. 1, 6, 10, 12, 28, 30, 32, 33, 36). The relationship is not a distant one
in time, either. God repeatedly speaks about “today” (vv. 4, 8, 20, 38-40). 119 He is helping Israel because of
His love, as exemplified by the way he brought them “out of Egypt by His Presence and great strength
(4:37). The word “Presence” in the NIV is literally “with His face,” a striking Hebrew way to express God’s
involvement. “God used no intermediary (such as an angel) in freeing Israel, but as a sign of His favor, He
freed them personally.” 120

After a brief introduction (4:41-49), a second address begins, “Moses summoned all Israel (5:1).” He repeats
to this new generation the Ten Commandments (5:2-21). These are the General Treaty Stipulations and
function as a table of contents or a computer pull-down tab for the bulk of the book. Moses also explains
the original circumstances – the fire and other outward signs of God’s presence that so terrified the nation
(5:22-33). The emphasis is on the uniqueness or
holiness of the covenant. A new generation is
present, yet God has not changed. His laws are
eternal. He issues no revisions, even though some
specifics are adapted to the new situation of
entering the land. The chief change is the
anticipated death of Moses. As he speaks to the
nation, he begins using the words “your God”
instead of his usual “our God.” 121 Moses won’t
make the trip.

Fig. 74: Dead Sea Scrolls - Ten Commandments

119 Jeffrey H. Tigay, Deuteronomy (Philadelphia: The JPS Torah Commentary, 1996), p. 42.
120 Ibid., 57.
121 Hamilton, Handbook. 393
102