EXPOSITION ADMONITIONS AND EXHORTATIONS . Moses, having presented to the people certain facts in their recent history which had in them a specially animating and encouraging tendency, proceeds to direct his discourse to the inculcation of duties and exhortations to obedience to the Divine enactments. This portion also of his address is of an introductory character as well as what precedes. read more
The possession of the oracles of God by Israel was a benefit to them only as these were kept in mind and reverently obeyed. Therefore they were to take heed and diligently beware of forgetting the circumstances under which the Law had been received at Horeb. God had then commanded the people to be gathered together, so that they stood before the Lord, were in his manifested presence, and were made to hear his voice speaking to them from amidst the fire and the clouds that covered the mount.... read more
The revelation at Horeb. A revelation— I. OF THE SPIRITUALITY OF GOD 'S NATURE . "Ye saw no similitude" ( Deuteronomy 4:12 ). A wonderful truth to be impressed on the minds of a people fresh from contact with the debasing idolatries of Egypt. A truth: 1. Difficult to grasp. 2. Elevating in its influence. 3. The apprehension of which is necessary for spiritual worship ( John 4:24 ). II. OF THE HOLINESS OF GOD 'S CHARACTER . The lightnings that... read more
The mountain burned with fire unto the midst [unto the heart] of heaven ; i . e . up to the Very skies; a rhetorical description of the mighty pillar of fire that blazed on Sinai, and betokened the presence of him whose symbol is fire. With darkness, clouds [cloud], and thick darkness; underneath the fire was a cloud of deep darkness, out of which it blazed, the "thick cloud" of Exodus 19:9 , Exodus 19:16 , and the "smoke" out of which the lightnings flashed, and over which the... read more
Israel's peculiar relation to God. This paragraph sets forth in earnest appeal the peculiar and distinctive relation to God in which Israel was placed. (For the precise details of the point in their history here referred to, see Exodus 19:1-25 .; and for the application of several of the expressions used both here and there to believers in Christ under the Christian dispensation, see 1 Peter 2:9 .) Here is a noble theme for the preacher—Israel ' s special relation to God , typical... read more
On this occasion the people heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude ; there was no form or shape apparent to the eye. No man can see God's face ( Exodus 33:20 , Exodus 33:23 ); "no man hath seen God at any time" ( John 1:18 ); and though the nobles or elders of Israel who went up with Moses into the mount are said to have seen God, it is evident that what they saw was only some luminous manifestation of his glory, and not a form or shape of which a similitude could be... read more
His covenant ; God's gracious engagement with Israel for their good, and by which they were bound to observe all his commandments. God declared this at Sinai when he uttered the ten commandments (words, דְבָרִים ), "the words of the covenant, the ten words" ( Exodus 34:28 ), which he afterwards gave to Moses on two tables of stone, written with the finger of God ( Exodus 24:12 ; Exodus 31:18 ). Besides these, there were other statutes and ordinances which Moses was commanded to... read more
A full stop should end Deuteronomy 4:9; and Deuteronomy 4:10 begin, At the time that thou stoodest, etc. Deuteronomy 4:11 then ye came near, etc. Moses, exhorting to heedful observance of the Law, strives to renew the impressions of that tremendous scene which attended its promulgation at Sinai. read more
Hero worship exhibited itself in the practice of setting up images of human form as household gods (Penates, compare Genesis 31:19; Genesis 35:2), or as local and civic divinities: a practice forbidden by Deuteronomy 4:16. Nature worship in its baser shapes is seen in the Egyptian idolatry of animals and animal figures, and is condemned in Deuteronomy 4:17-18 : while its less ignoble flight, the worship of the sun, moon, and stars, is forbidden in Deuteronomy 4:19. The great legislator may be... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 4:1-28
The curse of idolatry. Idolatry is the general bias of fallen humanity, the perversion of an innate principle, the misgrowth of the religious instinct. Men everywhere "feel after God, if haply they may find him." Absolute atheism cannot long endure anywhere. If men reject a personal Deity, they invent an inferior God, and practically worship that. The wildest atheist which the world has seen, must admit that there is some power or force in the world superior to himself. There is no... read more