Sabbath: For What Nations Is There so Great?
Image © Pacific Press
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Deuteronomy 4:1-9, Matthew 15:1-9, Numbers 25:1-15, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Deuteronomy 4:32-35, Matthew 5:13-16.
Memory Text: “And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day?” (Deuteronomy 4:8).
The first three chapters of Deuteronomy were basically a history lesson, reminding the people of what they had been through up to that point. By the time we get to chapter four, the history lesson shifts more into a sermonic mode. The recounting of events wasn’t just for history buffs; instead, it served a purpose, showing them the power and grace of God working among the people, and that even though they messed up, the Lord was still going to honor His covenant with them.
Chapter four begins with the Hebrew word (a conjunction and an adverb), we‘attah, which can be translated as “And now” or “So now.” They just had reviewed their recent history, a reminder of what God had done in bringing them to this point — thus, or “so now,” they are to do what God tells them to do (see also Deuteronomy 10:12) in response.
That’s why the first verb that appears after the “So now” is shama’, the same verb (and in the same form) as used in the beginning of the Shema prayer, and it means “hear” or “listen” or “obey” — a verb repeated all through Deuteronomy.
Thus, the chapter begins: “So now, Israel, because of what I have done for you, you must obey the following … .”
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, November 6.
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There is significant importance in recounting all the things that happened in the past in order to have a consolidated understanding of how to construct our actions in the present and future.
In contrast to what the lesson is presenting, I find a very different view of what is going on in the initial chapters of Deuteronomy - and in fact right across Deuteronomy. But, ultimately, I will leave you to decide that for yourself...
I would propose that the first 3 chapters are not merely a history lesson - they are a recounting of 'story' with all of the deep significance that this includes in cultures based on oral tradition. Similarly, chapter 4 does not move into sermonic mode as much as - again in line with oral tradition - the passing along of wisdom.
If you look carefully at the 'big picture' of what is going on in Deuteronomy, far from taking an obligation and compliance approach (eg, "“so now,” they are to do what God tells them to do... So now, Israel, because of what I have done for you, you must obey the following …"), Moses is actually promoting freedom of choice and what some readers will understand as 'informed consent'.
We see this in Deuteronomy 4:1 where Moses outlines the core reason why he is advocating for Israel to pay attention to the statutes, judgments he is teaching - "so that you may live". Moses is attempting to educate Israel to not repeat the mistakes of the past - nor the errors of the ways of the people in Canaan because those mistakes and errors can only result in self-destructive "perishing" (Deuteronomy 4:25,26). This core theme running through Deuteronomy is re-summarised most succinctly near the end of the 'book' in Deuteronomy 30:15-20: I am laying out before you the way that leads to life and the way that leads to death. Please choose the way of life!
I believe that Moses, who knew God very intimately, was reflecting God's nature and character in educating and encouraging the Israelites, while leaving them free to choose - rather than attempting to remind them of their "obligations". I find that this also accords with how Jesus was and is towards people that is beautifully outlined in the following statement:
While reminding people of their obligations can bring behavioural compliance (though at the risk of fuelling an underlying sense of coercion and, in turn, either guilt or rebellion), it is not very effective at changing one's heart. As the statement above well outlines, true heart change is something that is awakened amid a 'space' of true freedom that is free from any taint of coercion.
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* Reminding someone of their obligations or indebtedness in as the means of attempting to motivate to action is a very subtle yet powerful form of coercion that nests under threat of 'punishment' if they don't comply. Some people will recognise this as 'guilting' someone or emotional blackmail.
** Hope of reward is fundamentally a self-seeking motivation. As such, it too is ineffective in fostering necessary heart change because heart change involves embracing other-benefiting love in place of self-seeking. This can only be awakened as a natural response to experiencing such love and where there is also absolute freedom to reject doing so.
Phil - Ellen White's quotes always help to focus my thoughts. Her comment points out a crucial aspect of the Faith of Christ - one needs to first hear His Voice! This ability to 'hear His Voice' is the sign that God is working in the heart of this person, that this person is 'open', can hear, a 'voice' different from his/her own.
Because this ability to 'hear His Voice' is spiritually based, everything else following the 'hearing' relates to the *willingness of the person's heart to consider what the Spirit revealed to it*.
The person who is able to hear His voice is blessed already, though now answerable to the authority of Him whose Voice he/she can hear.
Being able to hear His Voice is a sign for 'being known' by God - Heb.3:5-19; Psalm 91:14-16; Rev.2:7.
I agree, Phil. "Because of what I have done for you, you must obey the following..." is hardly God's way. You picked the perfect E. G. White quote!
WOW WOW WOW AMEN AMEN AMEN Phil van der Klift!!!!!!
You have spoken TRUTH! Praise the LORD
Phil, I agree with your well written / well said view, and this is absolutely applicable to each of us in our daily ‘freedom of choice’ choices. Thank you.
Deuteronomy is an amazing book about our failure, and God’s forgiveness. It is about God’s Grace, and I am excited as I read through it.
I am very grateful for this wonderful group of people across the sea who are so passionate about these studies. Thank you.
What a sad situation! Moses said the nations around them would be impressed because - For what nation is great enough to have a god as near to them as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him? And what nation is great enough to have righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you today?
Yet today Christians who uphold the LORD's Principles of Life and Love and walk in His Way are derided and mocked.
Hey, Shirley, there's a reason. Most of Christendom -- and American Christianity in particular -- is upholding a mere caricature of Jehovah's principles of life. They are moralistic enough to condemn abortion and homosexuality, but not righteous or unselfish enough to keep the 7th-day Sabbath, to welcome the desperate foreigner, nor to be happy with having their tax dollars used for the support of the disadvantaged and needy. I could go on, but I think you get the picture. There is too much "Lord, Lord," and not enough of actually doing the will of the Father -- far too little of the love of Christ for lost and suffering humanity. I'm afraid the mockery is often all too well deserved.
Deuteronomy 4The Message.....9 Just make sure you stay alert. Keep close watch over yourselves. Don’t forget anything of what you’ve seen. Don’t let your heart wander off. Stay vigilant as long as you live. Teach what you’ve seen and heard to your children and grandchildren.
Deut.4:32-35 - It really does not matter that the Scriptures tell of 'how great Israel was as a nation', if a person does not believe there is a God. If one addresses the issue of religion, it comes down to the question: "Do you believe there is a God?" If so believed, one could ask: "who is He, what is his relationship with mankind, what does he say and do, and how does he communicate with man?"
These questions need to be settled, because our God's Religion is initiated by Faith and made evident through loving kindness. Answers to questions about our God are provided in the Biblical Scriptures, but also given to us in the form of personal experiences through applying faith in the Word of God when we follow its path.
If the question is answered in the negative, no need to go any further, unless the person denying there is a God is not sure.
The Christian's religion is the only Religion which maintains an ongoing communication between the faithful and their God through the Holy Spirit for the purpose to glorify our Father in Heaven with/through/by His Love inspired, good works - Matt.5:13-16
Focusing on the Hebrew word “shama” which means “hear” as well as “obey”….
A quote of Oswald Chambers: “ The golden rule for understanding spiritually is not intellect, but obedience. If a man wants scientific knowledge, intellectual curiosity is his guide; but if he wants insight into what Jesus Christ teaches, he can only get it by obedience. If things are dark to me, then I may be sure there is something I will not do. Intellectual darkness comes through ignorance; spiritual darkness comes because of something I do not intend to obey.”
The writer of Hebrews 3:7-13 says something similar in recounting Israel’s wilderness experience. Truth must convert and convict our hearts and be acted out, otherwise it fossilizes and petrifies into a stony heart. (See also Hebrews 6:4-6; Hebrews 10:26; 2 Peter 2:20-22).
We can become bloated with words and starved for reality. Or I’ll speak for myself, I certainly can. I’m a reader and a writer and it’s easy to keep taking in information without utilizing it. I think that’s why in Matthew 5:23-24 Jesus instructs us to leave our gift at the altar and immediately go act on what the Holy Spirit is telling. We’ll see in Sunday’s lesson that every word of God matters. We “hang on every word of God” by making use of what we’ve been shown.
Please Lord, may others see You in my life more and more. May the strength of my actions match the strength of my words in declaring allegiance to You. May I get away from pettiness of mind into gospel living. Please divinely pave my memory’s lanes so that I might recall how You’ve always been with me, providing for me and keeping Your promises. May those memories of Your work in my life become unmovable cobblestones of confidence in You. May I walk in the light You show me, without hesitation, and thereby encourage others, too, to see the joy and peace in walking closely with You. May all my obedience comes from being connected to You. Help me to love You and others the way You created me to. Thank you Abba, Jesus, Holy Spirit. Amen.