JANUARY 11TH, 2003
DEUTERONOMY 4:25-49
I. Moses reinforces what he is about to say with these words: “I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day.”
A. This is a verification that Moses speaks for God.
B. Moses is making a prophetic statement in these verses:
1. After a long period in the Promised Land (25)
2. You will become corrupt.
3. You will worship other gods.
4. Your actions will provoke God to anger.
5. The land will be taken from you (26).
6. You will be scattered among the nations (27).
7. You will become a small nation.
8. You will worship false gods in strange lands (28).
C. When God judges you He can still be found:
1. If the people seek God: (29)
2. If they seek God with all their heart and soul.
D. Moses makes a remarkable, far-sighted prophecy (30):
1. Moses sees the Great Tribulation period.
2. He sees the “latter days.”
3. Even then, God will hear Israel’s cry.
E. Even in the Great Tribulation, the Abrahamic Covenant is still valid.
II. Moses reminds the younger generation how God has blessed Israel in the past.
A. No other people has heard the voice of God and lived (32-33).
B. God led them out of captivity (34).
C. God proved that He alone is God (35-36).
D. God loved Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (37)
III. Moses gives the younger generation some words to consider: (39-40)
A. Consider that God alone is God of Heaven and Earth (39).
B. Keep the commandments of God for three practical reasons: (40)
1. That it may go well with you.
2. That it may go well with your children.
3. That your days will be prolonged in the land that has been given you.
Conclusion: In verses 41-49, Moses establishes 3 cities of refuge for the reason specified in verse 42:
- If a person killed another person by accident, the city of refuge would be a place to go for protection and safety against angry family members.
NEXT SUNDAY: DEUTERONOMY 5 AND THE TEN COMMANDMENTS