Deuteronomy 4 is a powerful lesson in how we need to live. This chapter is filled with direction from Moses in how we need to relate to our God, and what we need to do to succeed in life. Rather than describe it, the list of actions and guidance Moses gives really says it all. Here is at least a partial list of how then we should live:
- Don’t add a word to what I command you
- Don’t remove a word from it
- Keep the commands of GOD
- Hold tight to GOD
- Pay attention: I’m teaching you the rules and regulations
- Live by them
- Keep them
- Practice them
- Be intimate with them the way GOD, our God, is with us
- Stay alert
- Keep close watch over yourselves
- Don’t forget anything of what you’ve seen
- Don’t let your heart wander off
- Stay vigilant as long as you live
- Teach what you’ve seen and heard to your children and grandchildren
- Learn to fear me in holy fear
- Teach these same words to their children
- Carefully guard yourselves
- Don’t turn corrupt and make a form
- Don’t look up into the skies and see the sun and moon and stars…and be seduced into worshiping and serving them
- Don’t for a minute forget the covenant which GOD
- Don’t take up with any carved images
- Seek GOD, your God, you’ll be able to find him
- Come back to GOD
- Listen obediently
- Ask questions
- Find out what has been going on all these years before you were born.
- Obediently live by his rules and commands
What a list of ways we need to live. It isn’t the ten commandments, but this chapter is chock full of ways that God expects us to interact with Him, and careful guidance as to how we can please Him and avoid disaster in our lives. Moses goes on to tell us why it matters. Check out the reasons he gives:
- He’s the only God there is
- He’s it
- He made it possible for you to hear his voice out of Heaven to discipline you
- he showed you the big fire
- you heard his words
- He loved your ancestors
- He chose to work with their children
- He personally and powerfully brought you out of Egypt
- GOD is in Heaven above
- GOD is on Earth below
- He’s the only God there is
Moses makes it pretty darn clear that God is worthy of our obedience and praise. And he gives us very clear direction on how to make Him and keep Him where He belongs. How are you doing in your walk with Him? Is God the focus of your life? He deserves to be. He demands to be. He is worthy. “He’s the only God there is”!
