Deuteronomy Chapter Four can only be described as such, because it denotes the basis for civilization, God’s law; the centrality of Israel as God’s chosen nation, inseparably including, Yeshua Messiah, and the believers who through Him are part of Israel; prophecy regarding the future redemption of Israel, their dispersion and regathering into the land, forever theirs, and the nature of idolatry and it’s ramification of arousing God’s righteous anger, and finally, unique insights into the past, future and hidden nature of God revealed on earth. All of this is included in Moses summary, exhortation and epitaph to those standing there in the Middle Eastern wilderness around six thousand years ago, yet miraculously recorded and preserved for us today. I think you must read it for yourself. I would love to elaborate on each element of my summary above, though your attention and mine in this venue can not permit. Here are the gems uncut but sparkling with light.

• “What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?” (v. 7-8).

• “Then the Lord spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of words but saw no form; there was only a voice. He declared to you his covenant, the Ten Commandments, which he commanded you to follow and then wrote them on two stone tablets.” (v. 12-13).

• “And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the Lord your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven. But as for you, the Lord took you and brought you out of the iron-smelting furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of his inheritance, as you now are.” (v. 19-20).

• “Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the Lord your God has forbidden. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” (v. 23-24).

• “The Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and only a few of you will survive among the nations to which the Lord will drive you. But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey him.” (v. 27-30).

• “For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath. Ask now about the former days, long before your time, from the day God created human beings on the earth; ask from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything so great as this ever happened, or has anything like it ever been heard of? Has any other people heard the voice of God speaking out of fire, as you have, and lived? Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes? You were shown these things so that you might know that the Lord is God; besides him there is no other.” (v. 31-35).

• “Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time.” (v. 39-40). 

The fulfilled prophecy in this chapter is a powerful testimony of God. The revelation of God’s lovingkindness, character, and nature is astounding and glorious. The message of encouragement is moving and powerful. Open your heart, mind and innermost being to the only wise Almighty God, to Him be glory forever through Yeshua Messiah! Amen