ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Deuteronomy 4

Deut. 4:1 And now. After summarizing Israel’s history, Moses begins to encourage the people. Listen means “pay attention and obey.” that you may . . . take possession. Possession of the Promised Land is linked to obeying the statutes and the rules that govern life.

Deut. 4:2 not add . . . nor take from. Israel is to submit to God’s entire word (see also 12:32).

Deut. 4:3–4 Your eyes have seen. See also 3:21. Baal-peor. See Num. 25:1–5. Held fast describes faithfulness to a covenant, as in marriage (Gen. 2:24).

Deut. 4:6 Israel’s obedience to God will show other nations their wisdom and understanding. It will draw attention to Israel’s God.

Deut. 4:7–8 God is so near to his people, especially in answering their prayers (whenever we call upon him). God is also “very near” them through his word (30:14).

Deut. 4:9 Make them known. Each generation is responsible to instruct the next generation in the faith.

Deut. 4:10 To fear the Lord means to respect, obey, and worship him.

Deut. 4:13–14 The Ten Commandments (literally, “Ten Words”) are a concise summary of the Sinai covenant (Ex. 20:1; 18–19; 24:12). The statutes and rules are the other laws given at Sinai. God spoke these laws to Moses and told him to teach them to Israel (Exodus 21–Leviticus 27).

Deut. 4:15–19 Because God does not have a visible form, the worship of idols and images is prohibited (see the second commandment, 5:8–9).

Deut. 4:20 The people should worship the Lord because he saved them from slavery in Egypt (iron furnace; see also 1 Kings 8:51; Jer. 11:4). his own inheritance. Israel enjoys the privilege of being God’s special family (see Deut. 9:26, 29).

Deut. 4:21–22 because of you. See note on 1:37–38. good land. Compare 1:25, 35. The repeated emphasis encourages Israel to enter the land.

Deut. 4:23–24 Take care suggests how easy it is to fall into idolatry (see v. 19). consuming fire (compare 5:25; 9:3). God is jealous for his people’s faithfulness.

Deut. 4:27–28 scatter. See 28:64–68. few in number. See 28:62. The punishment for idolatry is exile to a pagan land.

Deut. 4:29–30 Exile is not the end. There remains hope of repentance and return (see 30:1–10). with all your heart and . . . soul. See note on 6:5.

Deut. 4:31 merciful. God’s mercy does not contradict his jealous anger (v. 24; compare 5:9–10; Ex. 34:6–7). God is merciful because of his covenant with Abraham (Deut. 4:23; 9:27; 30:5; 20; compare Rom. 3:3–4). He will maintain his covenant, even if Israel forgets it.

Deut. 4:32–34 The Lord’s approach to Israel at Sinai was unique. By a mighty hand and an outstretched arm represents God’s power (see 7:19; 11:2; 26:8; Ex. 3:19–20).

Deut. 4:35–36 there is no other. The Bible clearly teaches monotheism, that is, belief in only one true God (compare Mark 12:32).

Deut. 4:37–39 loved. A key theme of Deuteronomy is God’s love for the patriarchs (compare 10:15) and for his people in general (5:10; 7:9; 23:5).

Deut. 4:41–43 Three cities of refuge are set apart in the east beyond the Jordan. A person guilty of unpremeditated murder could flee to one of these cities to escape revenge from the dead person’s family. In 19:1–13, three cities west of the Jordan are set apart for the same purpose. Compare Num. 35:9–28.

Deut. 4:44–11:32 Moses’ Second Speech: General Covenant Stipulations. The first part of Moses’ second speech consists mostly of general conditions of God’s covenant with Israel. More specific terms follow in the second part of that speech, chs. 12–26.