CHAPTER 4:
The first 3 chapters of Deuteronomy are an introduction in this farewell speech. You can hear the transition into this next section at the beginning of chapter 4: “Now, O Israel, listen . . .” Moses will remind the Israelites of his laws. Watch for what they are supposed to do and what God did.
Please read Deuteronomy chapter 4.
Moses uses deductive reasoning throughout Deuteronomy: if you do this, then this will happen. He doesn’t use the words if. . . then, but will often use “so that.”
What is the deductive statement found in verse 1?
In verse 6-8, why are the people to follow God’s laws?
Truly the 10 Commandments were unlike any ancient laws ever written. They ensured safety and equality for all. They were, in fact, the most socially equalizing law in ancient history. The king was just as accountable as the poorest person. Many of our modern governments, including the American Constitution, were set up based on the ideas held in the 10 Commandments. Why were these laws so different? Because God made them. They were not man-made laws.
Moses reminds the people of God’s law because this is the thing that will set them apart from all the other nations. God gave them the Law. They heard His voice. He rescued them. He helped them overcome. He was giving them valuable land. He promised to be with them. God deserved their obedience. He is God in heaven above and the earth below; there is no other!
Oh, but we are easily distracted creatures. It doesn’t take us long to seek other things. For me, I am distracted in two ways: spending time with God and following Him. My to-do list and people keep me from spending time with Him. This was especially true when I had little kids, but it is still something I struggle with now. I try to set aside time each day for Bible study, but dishes in the sink, a full basket laundry, and even my husband home from work can redirect my attention away from the Lord and my intended plans.
My own selfish desires keep me from following Him. When my heart begins to focus on something that isn’t of God, I begin to rationalize it. “Well just this once,” I think, or “It isn’t really that bad,” or “God doesn’t specifically say not to do this.” Have you ever heard that song from the band Creed, “One Last Breath?” There is a line that says, “Hold me now. I’m six feet from the edge and I’m thinking, maybe six feet ain’t so far down.” What’s six feet down? A grave! The speaker is in the death grip of sin and rationalizing it. Six feet ain’t so far down. Have you ever been there?
Read James 1: 12-15.
Does God tempt?
Where does temptation come from?
What natural image does James use here to paint a picture of the way sin grows?
Sin is personified as being born. Verse 15 might use the words “conceived” and “gives birth” to describe the process of sin. The image implies time. There is a waiting period between conception and birth. The thing conceived needs time to grow. This is where we rationalize, in this gestation period. Your desire entices you to sin. You think about it for a while, rationalize it. Then you do the thing. That gestation period is the place where you stop the sin. Don’t allow your own thoughts to lead you astray. Counter them with God’s word, with prayer. Don’t let them grow so big that you can’t win.
When the two-way distraction of not spending daily time with the Lord and allowing my desires to rule work in tandem, it is a recipe for disaster. Why? Because my time with the Lord is how I counter those negative thoughts. If I’m not doing anything to counter them, then I am surely going to fall. You will too. This is where most people goof up. They think they can do it alone. They think they can stay focused on Christ without staying in His presence. They think they can walk up to their overwhelming desire, and choose to walk away on their own.
In what ways have you rationalized a particular sin?
Did it come at a time when you were not spending daily time in His word and in prayer?
Can you think of some ways to fight sin during that gestation period? List them.
Read Deuteronomy 4:25-31 again.
Don’t you find it interesting that Moses predicts the Israelites will fall away from God? There was no if. . . then statement given. It was “When you act corruptly . . . and make an idol.” When not if. We will fall as well, but the promise of verse 29 reveals God’s character: when you fall, you will find God IF you search for Him. Our God is there for us. He promises forgiveness and compassion, but it is up to us to seek Him.
Pray. Ask for forgiveness. Repent.
Seek the LORD and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and soul.
Praise the Lord! He’s not that hard to find.
Lesson to remember: God can be found; He is compassionate.
A Way to Walk: Prayerfully consider how you are distracted from God and how you rationalize sinful desires. Ask God for help and develop a strategy for overcoming your sin pattern. Search for Him.
