Deuteronômio 4
R.C. Sproul · Citado em PreceptAustin
Deuteronômio 4
Sproul - The Just Society (Deut 4:8) As Moses brought to a close the historical prologue section of the covenant renewal, he reminded the people how they had heard the law of God on Mount Sinai. This provided a transition into the next section of the covenant, the actual law itself (Deut. 4:44–26:19). Moses told the people that, if they obeyed the law, they would be esteemed wise among all the nations. Righteous living would have an evangelistic effect, because, as the nations admired the law and sought to find out more about it, they would be led to the God who gave the law (Deut. 4:6–8).Surely the most valuable study of jurisprudence that could be undertaken today would be a close examination of the Old Testament law. We should study it diligently to gain societal wisdom. Unfortunately, we often have a false view of the Old Testament law. Too many people believe it too severe. A study of God’s law however, reveals quite the opposite, for just as God is love, so his law is the expression of his love. Something is wrong with the church in our culture today. How do you think the average church member would react to learn that a study of Old Testament law was being undertaken to gain wisdom for modern life and society? Most Christians would shrink in horror at the idea. People say the law is cruel and bloodthirsty (implying that the God who gave it also must be cruel and bloodthirsty), but the Bible says the national laws God gave Israel were wise, righteous, and just. Part of the reason people react against Old Testament law is because they are misinformed. They have never read and studied the social laws in Exodus 21–23, Leviticus 19, and Deuteronomy 5–26. But another reason people react against the law is that they are estranged from God. They want a God of “love,” as they define love. They don’t want the biblical God of love, whose love is inseparable from justice, holiness, and righteousness. As Bible-believing Christians, however, we need only ask ourselves one question: Has ever any government had a law as just and righteous as the law God gave to Israel? Coram Deo - The answer to that last question is obvious, and its implications are clear: If we want to have a just society we need to learn the wisdom and principles of the law of God in its social and national dimensions. We may have to change our thinking about some things. Consider state or federal laws that might need to change to conform to the principles of God’s law and character. ( Before the Face of God) Deuteronomy 4:9 "Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons. keep your soul diligently: De 4:15,23 Pr 3:1,3 4:20-23 Lu 8:18 Heb 2:3 Jas 2:22 so that you do not forget : Jos 1:18 Ps 119:11 Pr 3:1-3,21 4:4 7:1 Heb 2:1 Rev 3:3 make them known to your sons and your grandsons: De 6:7 11:19 29:29 31:19 Ge 18:19 Ex 13:8,9,14-16 Jos 4:6,7,21 Ps 34:11-16 71:18 78:3-8 Pr 1:8 4:1-13 23:26 Isa 38:19 Eph 6:4 Deuteronomy 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Amplified (2015) Only pay attention and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your grandchildren [impressing these things on their mind and penetrating their heart with these truths] Amplified (Classic) Only take heed, and guard your life diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen and lest they depart from your [mind and] heart all the days of your life. Teach them to your children and your children’s children— NET 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. NLT But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren. Related Passage: Proverbs 4:23+ Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 19:16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of conduct will die. WATCH YOURSELVES AND SET A GUARD OVER YOUR SOUL Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently - (But take utmost care and watch yourselves scrupulously = Torah Translation; you must be on your guard and watch your step = Berkeley) The same Hebrew verb shamar is used for both commands and the word diligently means exceedingly (meod) and is translated might in Dt 6:5. Moses clearly is making a strong emphasis on taking great care to not forget what they had seen lest it escape from their memory. There is an urgency in these commands and note both are focused on self (yourself and soul). We cannot watch out or be careful for others but we must do so for ourselves. The purpose is so we do not forget the things of God. Give heed (shamar) in Deuteronomy - Deut. 2:4; Deut. 4:2; Deut. 4:6; Deut. 4:9; Deut. 4:15; Deut. 4:23; Deut. 4:40; Deut. 5:1; Deut. 5:10; Deut. 5:12; Deut. 5:29; Deut. 6:2; Deut. 6:3; Deut. 6:12; Deut. 6:17; Deut. 6:25; Deut. 7:8; Deut. 7:9; Deut. 7:11; Deut. 7:12; Deut. 8:1; Deut. 8:2; Deut. 8:6; Deut. 8:11; Deut. 10:13; Deut. 11:1; Deut. 11:8; Deut. 11:16; Deut. 11:22; Deut. 11:32; Deut. 12:1; Deut. 12:13; Deut. 12:19; Deut. 12:28; Deut. 12:30; Deut. 12:32; Deut. 13:4; Deut. 13:18; Deut. 15:9; Deut. 16:1; Deut. 16:12; Deut. 17:10; Deut. 19:9; Deut. 23:9; Deut. 23:23; Deut. 24:8; Deut. 26:16; Deut. 26:17; Deut. 26:18; Deut. 27:1; Deut. 28:1; Deut. 28:9; Deut. 28:45; Deut. 28:58; Deut. 29:9; Deut. 30:10; Deut. 30:16; Deut. 31:12; Deut. 33:9; The adverb only (Heb = raq) conveys a restrictive force (prohibiting further negotiation - the following commands are not negotiable is the idea!) upon other elements in a passage. To yourself - Give heed is in the Niphal which gives the verb a reflexive sense, the subject carries out the action and participates in the effects of the action. It makes this command more personal -- every person in Israel ("yourself") must give heed. Earl S Kalland emphasizes that the original Hebrew phrasing "constitutes a very strong and urgent appeal.(The Expositor's Bible Commentary – Volume 3: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel) The Lxx translates give heed with prosecho (present imperative = keep holding your mind on yourself) and keep with phulasso (aorist imperative - Guard your soul like a watchman). Why did Israel (and all believers) need to heed and keep? First, because the danger of drifting was continual. Second, if we drift we forget what the Lord has done in our past. This is not a problem of our not being mentally alert but a problem of being spiritually lax. Our fleshly tendency is to forget and to "spiritually drift" from God. Paul gave a similar command to young Timothy in 1 Ti 4:16... Take heed (present imperative) unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue (present imperative) in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. (KJV) Pay close attention (present imperative) to yourself and to your teaching; persevere (present imperative) in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. (NAS) The New Oxford Annotated Bible: The paired injunctions not to forget the powerful experience of God's actions and to educate your children, so that the past becomes "present" also to them, represent a prominent aim of Deuteronomy: to overcome the distance of the past and maintain it as a source of identity (Dt 4:23, 25; 6:2, 7, 20-25; 8:11; 9:7; 31:13; 32:18). It is notable that the essence of this warning is repeated again in Dt 4:15 and Dt 4:23 with addition of the command to "watch yourselves." Why? Because Israel (and we) need to hear this warning over and over to make sure we understand how important it is to obey. The charge to watch, beware or be careful is repeatedly sounded in Deuteronomy thus emphasizing our (wayward heart's) need for continual spiritual alertness lest we suffer the consequences of not being alert! Here are some of the parallel passages: Deuteronomy 4:15 "So watch yourselves carefully, since you did not see any form on the day the LORD spoke to you at Horeb from the midst of the fire, Deuteronomy 4:23; “So watch yourselves, that you do not forget the covenant of the LORD your God which He made with you, and make for yourselves a graven image in the form of anything against which the LORD your God has commanded you. Deuteronomy 6:3 "O Israel, you should listen and be careful to do it, that it may be well with you and that you may multiply greatly, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. Deuteronomy 6:12 then watch yourself, lest you forget the LORD who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Deuteronomy 8:1 "All the commandments that I am commanding you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to give to your forefathers. Deuteronomy 8:11 “Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today; Deuteronomy 11:16 “Beware that your hearts are not deceived, and that you do not turn away and serve other gods and worship them. Deuteronomy 11:32 and you shall be careful to do all the statutes and the judgments which I am setting before you today. Deuteronomy 12:13 “Be careful that you do not offer your burnt offerings in every cultic place you see, Deuteronomy 12:19 “Be careful that you do not forsake the Levite as long as you live in your land. Deuteronomy 12:28 "Be careful to listen to all these words which I command you, in order that it may be well with you and your sons after you forever, for you will be doing what is good and right in the sight of the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 12:30 beware that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?’ Deuteronomy 12:32 "Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it. Deuteronomy 15:9 “Beware that there is no base thought in your heart, saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of remission, is near,’ and your eye is hostile toward your poor brother, and you give him nothing; then he may cry to the LORD against you, and it will be a sin in you. Deuteronomy 16:12 "And you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes. Deuteronomy 17:10 "And you shall do according to the terms of the verdict which they declare to you from that place which the LORD chooses; and you shall be careful to observe according to all that they teach you. Deuteronomy 23:23 "You shall be careful to perform what goes out from your lips, just as you have voluntarily vowed to the LORD your God, what you have promised. Deuteronomy 24:8 “Be careful against an infection of leprosy, that you diligently observe and do according to all that the Levitical priests teach you; as I have commanded them, so you shall be careful to do. Deuteronomy 26:16 "This day the LORD your God commands you to do these statutes and ordinances. You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 31:12 "Assemble the people, the men and the women and children and the alien who is in your town, in order that they may hear and learn and fear the LORD your God, and be careful to observe all the words of this law. Jon Courson explains that "You've been blessed, but be careful because you can become so familiar with the Word that you no longer take heed to it. You've been given such a wonderful treasure in the Scriptures, but watch out lest it no longer be a priority for you, a passion within you to know the heart of God, the Word of the Lord." Teaching is imperative, not optional, for the people of God. "Remembering'' what God has done is of primary importance. Where teaching is neglected, spiritual amnesia sets in which leads to "apathy", which leads to "apostasy" which leads to "anarchy" (Pr 29:18, Amos 8:11, 12). Just as Satan (and our flesh) prepares pitfalls for the weak and floundering Christian, he also works against those who are growing and have good training. Pride, for example, can affect you, Self-sufficiency can replace your submissive dependence on the Holy Spirit. A critical spirit may develop as you see other Christians who function less skillfully and with less discipline than you.Now as always you need to have a learner’s heart You must be open to suggestions, criticism and instruction from others. It is not our natural inclination to be this way. Churchill once said, “I like to learn, but I do not like to be taught.” But to be continually learning and benefiting from others-without being resentful-is a sign of maturity. THE GREAT DANGER TO GUARD AGAINST FORGETFULNESS So that - term of purpose or result - This is a critical purpose of giving heed to one's self and keeping one's soul which counters the natural human tendency toward forgetfulness (of God and His ways). ESV Study Bible - Like all fallen humans, Israel’s natural tendency is to ignore, forget, or disobey. Their failure in the past 40 years adds testimony to this warning. Merrill - A nation that forgets its past is doomed to repeat its failures, and a people that fails to pass on its righteous principles has no right to expect a continuation of those principles in the life and experience of its descendants. (Cornerstone Biblical Commentary) You do not forget - Forgetfulness is the "default" mode of our fallen flesh (cf Joseph's situation - Ge 40:14, 23). This tendency to gravitate away from God is why we need to be daily reminded of God's goodness, grace and greatness by diving into His Word (Lk 4:4+, Mt 4:4+). Forgetting is a Key Word in Deuteronomy. In Dt 4:23 the warning is "not forget the covenant." In Dt 4:31 the assurance is that God will "not forget the covenant." Deuteronomy 6:12 then watch (command) yourself, that you do not forget the LORD who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Deuteronomy 8:11 “Beware (command) that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today; Deuteronomy 8:14 (A prophetic warning) then (When? See Dt 8:13) your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Deuteronomy 8:19 (A strong warning against idolatry) “It shall come about if you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish. Deuteronomy 9:7 “Remember, do not forget how you provoked the LORD your God to wrath in the wilderness; from the day that you left the land of Egypt until you arrived at this place, you have been rebellious against the LORD. Deuteronomy 25:19 “Therefore it shall come about when the LORD your God has given you rest from all your surrounding enemies, in the land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance to possess, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven; you must not forget. THOUGHT: Note that all of these warnings regarding forgetfulness apply to believers today! So what is our best preventative. Two things come to mind: (1) Daily Quiet Time and (2) Memorization of His Word. How are you doing? If you are not disciplining yourself for godliness (1 Ti 4:7-8-note), then the alternative is gravitation toward ungodliness. There is no such thing as spiritual neutrality! We are all either progressing toward God or away from God. The choice is ours to make! (Although this passage does not mention forgetfulness, it is relevant to this topic) Deuteronomy 12:30 beware that you are not ensnared to follow them (pagan practices -- doing what the culture is doing saying "Well everyone is watching that show, even my pastors, so surely I can watch it!" Look out! You are deceiving yourself!), after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?’ Thompson writes "The appeal to Israel ‘to remember and not to forget’ God’s saving acts is made again and again in Deuteronomy, for they were the foundation to Israel’s claim to be God’s people and the basis on which God challenged Israel to enter into his covenant. The same principle applies in the New Testament, where the acts of God in Christ are absolutely fundamental for the church and lie at the basis of God’s appeal to men to enter into a new relationship with himself. They too are to be taught to the children of believers." (Ibid) Forget (07911)(shakach/shakah) "indicates that something has been lost to memory, or a period of time has softened the memory of it....It is an especially important word with respect to God and His people: God never forgets them (Isa. 49:15); they are not to forget their God, His covenant, and His deeds (Dt. 4:9, 23, 31; 6:12; 8:11; 9:7; 25:19; 32:18). But God does not pass over, wink at, or forget the wickedness of His people (Lam. 5:20; Amos 8:7). Those who forget God wither away (Job 8:13), as well as all the nations who forget Him (Ed: O God send a revival to America! Amen). The helpless must not be left alone (Ps. 10:12). God’s Law must not be forgotten (Ps. 119:61, 83, 93). Wisdom’s teachings are not to be forgotten (Pr 3:1; 4:5)." (Warren Baker - The Complete Word Study Dictionary: OT) Forgetting God is just one step (misstep) away from forsaking God! (Dt 12:19, 28:20, 31:6, 16, 17) Grant - How quickly Israel had forgotten the sight of the destruction of the Egyptian armies at the Red Sea. A few days after that triumph they were murmuring against Moses (Ex 15:24+), and this they continued to do (Ex 16:2; Ex 17:3). After the confident assertion, "All that the Lord hath spoken we will do" (Ex 19:8), it was not long before they made a golden calf with the declaration, "Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him" (Ex 32:1). Their words betrayed what was in their hearts. There was no recognition of the God who had delivered them. It was "this Moses" who had taken them out of Egypt and then abandoned them in the wilderness. (What the Bible Teaches) MacIntosh has an interesting thought - When Israel later began a large-scale defection to the idolatry of Canaan, it was not because they had forgotten Yahweh's name, still less because they no longer felt he deserved their devotion. He had simply receded from the consciousness at the moment that their defection began. Once it was under way, they were so distracted with the passing pleasures of sin that they did not give him a moment's thought. Godly living is a process that must be renewed each day. (Holman Old Testament Commentary) Criswell - Though the Hebrews had never seen God, they had seen what He had done for them—the "seeing" of religious experience. (Believer's Study Bible) David
Deuteronômio 4
Sproul - The Sin of Moses The LORD was angry with me because of you, and he solemnly swore that I would not cross the Jordan and enter the good land the LORD your God is giving you as your inheritance. [Deut. 4:21] We have seen that each time God renewed the covenant with his people, the first thing they did was to sin against him. Yet God remained faithful each time, renewing the covenant despite the sin. In the case of Israel, God initially removed himself from the camp when the people sinned at the golden calf, but after the tabernacle was built he moved back into their midst (Exodus 32–33, 40). The people sinned numerous times after this, but God forgave them again and again. Finally, when they refused to fight the giants and take the promised land, God cut them off. He declared that they had rebelled ten times (Num. 14:22–23) and that all of them would die in the wilderness. Their children would inherit the kingdom they had lost. Moses renewed the covenant with the children, telling them that he too would die in the wilderness. To understand why Moses was excluded from entering Canaan, we look at two incidents. In Exodus 17 it is told that Israel ran out of water soon after they came out of Egypt. They grumbled against Moses and put God on a kind of trial. God told Moses to take his rod of judgment and strike a rock in the presence of the law court of elders, and water would come forth. God put his glory cloud on the rock, and Moses brought the rod of judgment down on God and the rock, and water came out (Exod. 17:5–6). God was taking on the judgment the people deserved, and on that basis they were given water. A symbol is here shown to the people of an event they then could not understand, for it would be far in the future. One day the Messiah would be smitten on the cross, and water mixed with blood would pour from his side (John 19:34). A refreshing miracle for them has became a picture for us. Years later the congregation again needed water and God told Moses to take Aaron’s rod (the rod of prayer, not judgment) and speak to a rock, and water would come forth. The sins of the people angered Moses, however, and he lost his temper and struck the rock twice. God graciously gave water anyway, but he told Moses that, because he had failed to treat God as holy, Moses would not enter the land of promise (Num. 20:2–13). Coram Deo - Read and meditate on Numbers 20:12. To Moses much had been given. The biblical principle seems to be operating here that from Moses much was required. God let the people off nine times, but Moses only did one thing wrong, and he received the same punishment. Was this a “fair” punishment? What does Moses know about God’s holiness? What do you know about God? Read James 3 to get more insight into the principle involved. Deuteronomy 4:22 "For I will die in this land, I shall not cross the Jordan, but you shall cross and take possession of this good land. Dt 3:25-27 1 Ki 13:21,22 Am 3:2 Heb 12:6-10 2Pe 1:13-15 Deuteronomy 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries For - Term of explanation. Moses is explaining the result of the the anger of the LORD. I will die in this land, I shall not cross the Jordan - Earlier Moses had pleaded with God to let him enter the promised land Let me, I pray, cross over and see the fair land that is beyond the Jordan, that good hill country and Lebanon.’ 26“But the LORD was angry with me on your account, and would not listen to me; and the LORD said to me, ‘Enough! Speak to Me no more of this matter. 27‘Go up to the top of Pisgah and lift up your eyes to the west and north and south and east, and see it with your eyes, for you shall not cross over this Jordan. (Dt 3:25-27+) I shall not cross the Jordan - Moses could only see from a distance. “Go up to this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo (~Mount Pisgah)(picture), which is in the land of Moab opposite Jericho, and look at the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the sons of Israel for a possession. 50 “Then die on the mountain where you ascend, and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people, 51 because you broke faith with Me in the midst of the sons of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, because you did not treat Me as holy in the midst of the sons of Israel. 52 “For you shall see the land at a distance, but you shall not go there, into the land which I am giving the sons of Israel.” (Dt 32:49-52) Then the LORD said to him, “This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants’; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” (Dt 34:4+) THOUGHT Beloved, let me encourage you to take a short break and listen to an instrumental song Mt Nebo by Twila Paris. And as you do, I think you will find yourself contemplating what Moses must have felt on that mountain as he took his last look over the good land he would not be allowed to enter. While Twila's song has no words, every time I listen to it, it moves me deeply, at times to the point of tears, because I imagine myself making my last ascent up the mountain. What will I feel as I contemplate that "heavenly good land?" More to point will I have regrets, sadness or sorrow -- is there someone I have sinned against and failed to seek forgiveness, is there unforgiveness (bitterness, anger, etc) in my heart against anyone, did I really lay aside every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangled me, and the list goes on (you probably have your own personal list). (Another song to listen to is When It's All Been Said and Done) Doug McIntosh on Moses' disobedience - Moses thus became a picture of privileges lost by compromise. His relationship with God was fully functional. His sins were forgiven, and he was being used by God in worthwhile ministry. Still, his experience shows that our choices have enduring consequences that cannot be overcome even by godly sorrow and repentance. (Holman Old Testament Commentary) Deuteronomy 4:23 "So watch yourselves, that you do not forget the covenant of the LORD your God which He made with you, and make for yourselves a graven image in the form of anything against which the LORD your God has commanded you. So watch yourselves: De 4:9,15,16 27:9 Jos 23:11 Mt 24:4 Lu 12:15 21:8 Heb 3:12 that you do not forget: De 6:12 29:25 31:20 Jos 23:16 1Ch 16:15 Isa 24:5 Jer 31:22 Eze 16:59 make for yourselves: De 4:16 Ex 20:4,5 Deuteronomy 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Amplified (2015) So be on your guard and watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the covenant of the Lord your God which He has made with you, and make for yourselves a carved or sculpted image in the form of anything which the Lord your God has forbidden you. ESV Take care, lest you forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make a carved image, the form of anything that the LORD your God has forbidden you. NET 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. NLT So be careful not to break the covenant the LORD your God has made with you. Do not make idols of any shape or form, for the LORD your God has forbidden this. THE WARNING AGAINST IDOLATRY REPEATED Compare similar strong warning in Dt 4:15-note. So - Term of conclusion. In light of what happened to Moses because of his disobedience. Watch yourselves - Why does Moses warn then again? What has he just reminded them about his own situation? Moses the servant of God sinned and suffered the consequence of exclusion from the promised land. If God did not "wink" at the sin of His "servant" Moses, then neither will He "wink" if Israel sins, especially regarding the sin of idolatry which is emphasized in Dt 4:15-24. Watch (08104) (shamar) means to guard yourselves and is a command not a suggestion. The Septuagint translates shamar here with prosecho which primarily means to hold one's mind toward something and then to give heed or pay close attention. Prosecho is in the present imperative which is a command to continually maintain a high state of spiritual alertness! No furloughs allowed! That you do not forget the covenant - NLT paraphrases that Israel "not break the covenant." In context the antidote for forgetfulness is to continually watch yourselves! There is a NT parallel in the book of Hebrews... For this reason (read Hebrews 1:1-14 for the reason) we must (verb = dei = not optional but mandatory to) pay much closer attention to (prosecho = same verb used in Lxx of Dt 4:23 and in present tense calls for continual alertness) what we have heard (parallels what Israel heard in Dt 4:1-22), (HERE IS THE DANGER) lest we drift away from it (pararrhueo = a gradual, almost unnoticed slipping away. In secular Greek it was used of a ship allowed to drift past harbor because a sailor failed to attend to steerage. It was used of a ring slipping from one's finger) (Hebrews 2:1+) Forget (07911)(shakach/shakah) means to forget, ignore, to cease to care, (Niphal) to be forgotten, (Piel) to cause to forget, (Hiphil) to make or cause to forget, (Hithpael) to be forgotten. Shakach/shakah indicates that something has been lost to memory, or a period of time has softened the memory of it....It is an especially important word with respect to God and His people. The Septuagint translates shakach with the Greek verb epilanthanomai (epí = intensifies + lantháno = lie hidden or concealed) conveys 2 basic nuances in the NT, to forget (not recall information concerning something) or to neglect (give little attention to, to omit by carelessness or design). The epi- preposition intensifies the meaning as noted and thus the idea is not just forgetting but "completely forgetting." What a horrible thought -- that God's chosen people would completely forget their Maker and their Redeemer Who brought them "out of the iron furnace from Egypt." (Dt 4:20) It strikes me that one of the best impediments against forgetting the good that God has wrought in our lives is to continually maintain (enabled by the Spirit) an attitude of gratitude (1 Th 5:18+). It is difficult for thankful people to become forgetful people! Shakach occurs 15 times in Deuteronomy - Deut. 4:9; Deut. 4:23; Deut. 4:31; Deut. 6:12; Deut. 8:11; Deut. 8:14; Deut. 8:19 (twice); Deut. 9:7; Deut. 24:19 (twice); Deut. 25:19; Deut. 26:13; Deut. 31:21; The covenant of the LORD your God which He made with you - This refers to the Mosaic Covenant, the covenant of the Law, which as noted was in a sense a "marriage covenant" because God was Israel's husband (Isa 54:5) and the covenant stipulated commands calling for faithful obedience, even as a loving, loyal wife would be faithful to her loving, kind husband. Covenant (01285)(berit/berith/beriyth) was the most solemn, binding agreement that could be made between two parties in the ancient world. In this context it was much like a marriage covenant for God was Israel's husband (Isa 54:5). And make for yourselves a graven image in the form of anything against which the LORD your God has commanded you. - God had given a clear prohibition in the Covenant, the "Ten Commandments"... Exodus 20:4; 5+ “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. 5 “You shall not worship them or serve them; for (term of explanation) I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, Deuteronomy 4:24 "For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. Your God: De 9:3 32:22 Ex 24:17 Ps 21:9 Isa 30:33 33:14 Jer 21:12-14 Na 1:6 Zep 1:18 Heb 12:29 a jealous God: De 6:15 29:20 32:16,21 Ex 20:5 34:14 Ps 78:58 Isa 42:8 Na 1:2 Zep 3:8 1Co 10:22 Deuteronomy 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JEHOVAH IS A CONSUMING FIRE For (term of explanation) - explains why Israel needed to continually watch themselves and guard against the abominable sin of idolatry. THOUGHT - Beloved, if they had to continually be on guard, so do we, for today "idols" come in all shapes and sizes and are just as seductive as were the idols of the ancient pagans. (cf definition of idolatry in Col 3:5+). The LORD your God - "Your God" indicates God is their God. Israel is His possession (Dt 4:20). It is worth noting that this exact phrase (the LORD your God) occurs 286x in 246 verses in the book of Deuteronomy Deut. 1:10,21,26,30ff; 2:7,30; 3:18,20ff; 4:2ff,10,19,21,23ff,29ff,34,40; 5:6,9,11f,14ff,32f; 6:1f,5,10,13,15ff; 7:1f,6,9,12,16,18ff,25; 8:2,5ff,10f,14,18ff; 9:3ff,16,23; 10:9,12,14,17,20,22; 11:1f,12f,22,25,27ff,31; 12:4f,7,9ff,15,18,20f,27ff,31; 13:3ff,10,12,16,18; 14:1f,21,23ff,29; 15:4ff,10,14f,18ff; 16:1f,5ff,10f,15ff,20ff; 17:1f,8,12,14f; 18:5,9,12ff; 19:1ff,8ff,14; 20:1,4,13f,16ff; 21:1,5,10,23; 22:5; 23:5,14,18,20f,23; 24:4,9,13,18f; 25:15f,19; 26:1f,4f,10f,13,16,19; 27:2f,5ff,9f; 28:1f,8f,13,15,45,47,52f,58,62; 29:6,10,12; 30:1ff,9f,16,20; 31:3,6,11ff,26; Matt. 4:7,10; 22:37; Mk. 12:30; Lk. 4:8,12; 10:27 Is a consuming fire - Not "will be" or "was" but "is" -- This is clearly an eternal, immutable "attribute" (so to speak) of God's righteous and holy character. But even in this section Moses balances the truth that God is a consuming fire with the truth that "the LORD your God is a compassionate God." (Dt 4:31-note). INTERESTING WORD PLAY – He brought them out of an iron furnace but if they are not watchful they will fall into the fire of His wrath – a consuming fire. A consuming fire, a jealous God - "The words fire and jealous provide a significant juxtaposition, for Dt 6:15 describes the Lord as a jealous God whose anger flares up like a destructive flame. To practice idolatry is to invite certain and devastating retribution." (Merrill) Jack Deere - Like a consuming fire He would purify what is precious (just as fire purifies precious metals) and destroy what is worthless.....Therefore Israel needed to be extremely careful to remember the covenant (cf. Dt. 4:9). (Bible Knowledge Commentary) Moses records the Consuming Fire's decree for breaking the covenant and worshiping idols If there is found in your midst, in any of your towns, which the LORD your God is giving you, a man or a woman who does what is evil in the sight of the LORD your God, by transgressing His covenant, 3 and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun or the moon or any of the heavenly host, which I have not commanded, 4 and if it is told you and you have heard of it, then you shall inquire thoroughly. Behold, if it is true and the thing certain that this detestable thing has been done in Israel, 5 then you shall bring out that man or that woman who has done this evil deed to your gates, that is, the man or the woman, and you shall stone them to death.(Deut 17:2-5) Consuming (0398)(akal) means to eat or consume. Akal in this verse is translated in the Septuagint with the verb katanalisko (katá intensifies + analísko = consume) which means to consume wholly or utterly as by fire and figuratively means to destroy completely. The picture of God as a consuming fire in Dt 4:24 is meant to be a strong warning against idolatry whereas in a later passage the same phrase is meant to be an encouraging truth, Moses recording Know therefore today that it is the LORD your God who is crossing over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and He will subdue them before you, so that you may drive them out and destroy them quickly, just as the LORD has spoken to you. (Dt 9:3) Here are all the other verses that have this exact phrase consuming fire Exodus 24:17 And to the eyes of the sons of Israel the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountain top. Isaiah 29:6 From the LORD of hosts you will be punished with thunder and earthquake and loud noise, With whirlwind and tempest and the flame of a consuming fire. Isaiah 30:27 Behold, the name of the LORD comes from a remote place; Burning is His anger and dense is His smoke; His lips are filled with indignation And His tongue is like a consuming fire; Isaiah 30:30 And the LORD will cause His voice of authority to be heard, And the descending of His arm to be seen in fierce anger, And in the flame of a consuming fire In cloudburst, downpour and hailstones. Isaiah 33:14 Sinners in Zion are terrified; Trembling has seized the godless. "Who among us can live with the consuming fire? Who among us can live with continual burning?" Hebrews 12:29 for our God is a consuming fire. The writer of Hebrews quotes from this passage This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for (term of explanation - Explains why we should have reverence and awe!) our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:27-29-note) Stedman sums up this fifth and final warning writing that "The proper attitude of Christians must be one of awe that a Being of such majesty and glory could find a way to dwell eternally with such sin controlled and sin-injured creatures as us. Since our “God is a consuming fire,” we must cry with Isaiah, “Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?” (Isaiah 33:14). God’s love is just such a fire, it destroys what it cannot purify, but purifies what it cannot destroy. In Jesus we have a relationship that cannot be destroyed (Ro 8:38, 39-note). Our great king is leading us through trials and difficulties in order that we may at last cry with Job, “He knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10KJV-note). (Hebrews 12:25-29 Fifth and Final Warning )