Deuteronomy 4:1–14

Here we have, very prominently before us, the special characteristic of the entire book of Deuteronomy. "Listen," and "do;" that you may "live" and "possess." This is a universal and abiding principle. It was true for Israel, and it is true for us. The pathway of life and the true secret of possession is simple obedience to the holy commandments of God. We see this all through the inspired volume, from cover to cover. God has given us His word, not to speculate upon it, or discuss it; but that we may obey it.

Surely this again makes it too plain to call for many words of ours to show what Moses, or rather God Himself, has in view in all these chapters. It is obedience.

"And now, O Israel, listen" marks the beginning of the exhortation to keep the law of the Lord. First he had shown the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord, and on that basis Moses urges them to be true to the LORD and to the covenant. Our great New Testament letters follow the same order. What the Lord has done for us — His grace and faithfulness — always comes first. Our responsibility to walk worthy of the Lord follows. The first great discourse of Moses has two main features: the review of what the LORD had done, and Israel's obligation to keep the law in order to enjoy the blessings of the covenant. These two features are the key to the entire book.

They were to listen and to do. Hearing and doing stand in the foreground of this section. The result of obedience is life and possession of the land. "That you may live" does not mean the possession of eternal life, but a long earthly life in the promised land. See chapters 5:33; 6:2; 8:1; 11:21; 16:20; 25:15; 30:6, 16; 32:47.

The law given to Israel included "statutes and judgments," as verse 5 states, as well as the ten commandments. All these were binding upon them. In verse 6 Moses tells them that keeping and doing them would be "your wisdom and your understanding." They never had that "wisdom," and neither have we. The believer today however is "in Christ Jesus," and He is "made to us wisdom," as 1 Corinthians 1:30 tells us. Here is perfect wisdom indeed!

Moses urges them to "listen to the statutes and judgments" he is teaching them. These are their very life and the basis for their possessing the land God had given them (v.1). How vitally true this is for us today also. It is the Word of God by which we live (Mt. 4:4), and it is that Word by which we enter into the blessings "in heavenly places" that are given us "in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 1:3).

It would be a very serious mistake to suppose that the privilege here spoken of is enjoyed by all believers. It is not. Only those who lovingly obey the commandments of our Lord Jesus Christ enjoy it. It lies within the reach of all, but all do not enjoy it, because all are not obedient. It is one thing to be a child, and quite another to be an obedient child. It is one thing to be saved, and quite another thing to love the Saviour, and delight in all His most precious precepts.

No one is to add to it, for the simplest of all reasons: there is nothing lacking. No one is to take from it, because there is nothing unnecessary. Everything we need is there, and nothing that is there can be done without... To suppose that anything can be added to God's word is, on the face of it, to deny that it is God's word. And if we admit that it is the word of God, then it follows of necessity — blessed necessity — that we could not do without a single sentence of it. If a single clause were dropped from its place, there would be a gap in the book that no human hand could fill.

We are not speaking, of course, of translations or versions, but of the Scriptures as God first gave them — His own perfect revelation... And to take away even the smallest letter or stroke from it is to say that the Holy Spirit wrote what was unnecessary. So God guards the holy book at both ends.

The voice preaches obedience. But obedience is only obedience when it is uncompromising loyalty, never tampering with the law book. There must be no addition, which would lift man's word up to God's; no subtraction, which brings God's word down to man's.

By setting up another authority, I displace and cancel the whole word of God, which claims all authority. If someone else can give orders, I am not the only master, and the man is not my servant. This does not just mislead the servant; it pushes the master aside. Anyone who adds one tiny stroke sets aside God's authority, and His revealed will as authority, completely... God, therefore, is jealous of His word, because whenever we step outside it, we step into the darkness and bondage of Satan.

"Hear," and "do"; that you may "live" and "possess." This is a lasting principle for everyone. It was true for Israel, and it is true for us. The path of life, and the real secret of possession, is simple obedience to God's holy commandments... God has given us His word, not to speculate on it, or discuss it, but so that we may obey it.

No one was to add anything to the law, and no one was to take anything from it. Sadly, people have not listened to this warning. The elders, with their traditions and their man-made commandments, added to the law and put the word of man above the Word of God. Later the Sadducees took away from the law and brought the Word of God down to the level of the word of man. People do the same today in the ritualistic and rationalistic parts of the Christian world.

To add to Scripture is ruinous. It does not matter who does it, or what holy motives people claim. God is jealous about it. He will not have His word enlarged or amended. Revelation is complete, and our simple business is to obey the word of God.

So we should take the warning of verse 2 to heart... It comes in a book of history (Deuteronomy). Scripture poetry gives a similar warning: "Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar" (Prov. 30:6). Scripture prophecy gives another (Rev. 22:18–19).

It was to Peor that Balaam was called to curse Israel, and where the people were trapped into sacrificing to the gods of Moab, eating things sacrificed to their idols, and committing sexual sin. So Israel joined himself to Baal-peor — he had full fellowship with its demon worship and the uncleanness that went with it.

Balaam, the agent of the devil, taught Moab the art of seducing the people who were known as the LORD's people; and he found in Israel fit material to work on. They were familiar with idolatry. Delivered from the land of the grossest idolatry, they carried the love of it in their hearts... Now they join themselves to Baal-peor and sink lower in their idolatrous orgies than when they worshipped the golden calf at Horeb.

This again makes it plain, without many words from us, what Moses — or rather God Himself — has in view in all these chapters. It is obedience... So this fact also is used. The LORD had cut down the former generation for their disobedience.

Obedience is only obedience when loyalty is complete, never tampering with the law book. There must be no addition, which would raise man's word to God's; no subtraction, reducing God's word to man's... Israel had learned this from experience: where were the men who went after Baal-peor? But those who held fast to the LORD lived.

But let us note well that before the LORD said, "Avenge the people of Israel on the Midianites," He had avenged Himself on the people of Israel. By His command Moses said to the judges, "Each of you kill those of his men who have yoked themselves to Baal of Peor"... It is said in the New Testament that judgment must begin at the household of God (see 1 Peter 4:17). And so God began with Israel. To begin at home is the true and right way.

Moses reminds Israel also of the corruption that led to judgment at Baal-Peor (Num. 25:1-9). This sinful association was a violation of the Word of God, and the Lord God destroyed those Israelites who mixed with the women of Moab (v. 3). Compromise with the enemy will ruin a testimony for God. "But you," Moses says, "who held fast to the LORD your God are all alive today" (v. 4). This is an encouragement.

Balaam taught Balak to seduce the Israelites into idolatry and dealings with his own people — that is, with the pagan world. In the same way, Satan tries to draw the believer into what abandons Christ's claims, and gives the world supreme control over his heart.

This again makes it plain enough. Few words from us are needed to show what Moses, or rather God Himself, has in view in all these chapters. It is obedience. "Your eyes have seen what the LORD did at Baal-peor, for the LORD your God destroyed from among you all the men who followed the Baal of Peor." So Moses uses this fact too. Jehovah had cut down the former generation for their disobedience.

The voice preaches obedience. But it is only obedience when it is loyalty that never gives way and never tampers with the book of God's laws. Nothing may be added, for that would lift man's word up to God's. Nothing may be taken away, for that would pull God's word down to man's… This, experience had shown to Israel: where were the men that went after Baal-peor? But those who clung to Jehovah lived.

Moses reminds Israel also of the corruption that led to judgment at Baal-Peor (Num. 25:1-9). This sinful partnership broke the Word of God, and the Lord God destroyed the Israelites who mixed with the women of Moab (v.3). Compromise with the enemy will ruin a testimony for God. "But you," Moses says, "who held fast to the Lord your God are alive today" (v.4). This is an encouragement.

Note it well. Before Jehovah said, "Avenge the people of Israel on the Midianites," He had avenged Himself on the people of Israel… The New Testament says that judgment must begin at the house of God (see 1 Peter 4:17). And so God began with Israel. To begin at home is the true and right way. It is a divine principle… The Lord teaches the same holy principle of starting with self before correcting others: take the log out of your own eye before you look for the speck in your brother's.

To cleave to someone means to cling to him and to not let him go. In the language of the New Testament, it is dedication, devotion and commitment to the Lord Jesus. Acts 11 gives a striking example. Barnabas comes to Antioch and sees the work of divine grace in believers who are still young in the faith and come from a pagan background. Verse 23 says: "When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose" (older translations: "cleave unto the Lord").

It is a soul captured by the beauty of the One it loves and given up wholly to Christ. Such a soul finds a power in Him that lifts it above every difficulty and keeps it from all danger. "Your right hand upholds me."

A general going to war will not let the enemy outflank him and cut him off from his base, if he can help it. He knows that once he is cut off from his base, defeat will overtake him. We are in an enemy's country, so we too must cling to the base of our supplies. We must keep in constant touch with the One in whom our resources are.

In Deuteronomy 4 Moses makes further moving appeals to the people. He urges them to obey the law God had given them, and to keep it whole. They were neither to add anything to it nor take anything away. This command is repeated at the end of Deuteronomy 12, and applied also to the revelations God has given, in the closing words of the New Testament. The law given to Israel included "statutes and judgments," as verse 5 states, as well as the ten commandments. All of these were binding on them.

Their conduct was to be ruled and shaped, in all things, by the divine commandments. An immense principle for them, for us, for all!

This again makes it too plain to need many words from us. What Moses, or rather God Himself, has in view in all these chapters is obedience. Their own eyes had seen what the LORD did at Baal-peor. He destroyed every man who followed the Baal of Peor, while those who held fast to Him were all alive that day. So Moses uses this fact too. The LORD had cut down the former generation for their disobedience.

Let us give these words special weight. Their wisdom and their understanding were to consist in one thing: keeping and doing the divine statutes and judgments. They were not to display their wisdom by learned discussion or argument, but by child-like, unquestioning obedience. All the wisdom was in the statutes and judgments, not in their thoughts and reasonings about them. The profound and marvellous wisdom of God shone out in His word, and this was what the nations were to see and admire.

To obey the Word of God would be Israel's wisdom and their understanding in the sight of other peoples who would hear of these statutes (v.5). When they would see the effect God's Word had on Israel, others would recognise that Israel was a wise and understanding nation.

How little the nations of the earth learned about God and His word from the actions of Israel! Instead, their ways led people to blaspheme His name again and again. They should have held the high, holy and happy ground of loving obedience to the divine commandments. Instead they sank to the level of the nations around them. They took up their habits, worshipped their gods, and walked in their ways. So those nations never saw the lofty wisdom, purity and moral glory of the divine statutes. They saw only the weakness, folly and moral degradation of a people who boasted in holding oracles that condemned themselves.

Moses tells them in verse 6 that keeping and doing these statutes would be "your wisdom and your understanding." That wisdom they never had, nor have we ever had it. But the believer today is "in Christ Jesus," and He is "made to us wisdom," as 1 Corinthians 1:30 tells us. Here is perfect wisdom indeed!

Their wisdom and their understanding were to consist in simply keeping and doing the divine statutes and judgements. They were not to show their wisdom by learned discussion or arguments, but by childlike, unquestioning obedience. All the wisdom was in the statutes and judgements, not in their thoughts and reasonings about them. The profound and marvellous wisdom of God was seen in His word, and this was what the nations were to see and admire.

Notice here that "wisdom and understanding" consist simply in having the commandments of God treasured in the heart. This, moreover, was to be the basis of Israel's moral greatness in view of the nations around them. It was not the learning of the schools of Egypt, or of the Chaldeans. No — it was the knowledge of the Word of God and attention to it. It was the spirit of unquestioning obedience in all things to the holy statutes and judgments of the Lord their God. This was Israel's wisdom. This was their true and real greatness. This was their unbreakable defence against every foe and their moral safeguard against every evil.

If they could have been established under the law as a holy people to the Lord, the nations around would have learned two things from them. First, what a blessed people they were. Second, what a God their Jehovah was. Their history records how everything broke down for them once it rested on their own responsibility.

How differently it turned out! How little the nations of the earth learned about God and His word from the doings of Israel! In fact His Name was blasphemed continually because of their ways. They should have held the high and holy and happy ground of loving obedience to the divine commandments. Instead they came down to the level of the nations around them. They took up their habits, worshipped their gods, and walked in their ways. So those nations never saw the lofty wisdom, purity, and moral glory of the divine statutes. They saw only the weakness, folly, and moral degradation of a people who boasted in holding the very words that condemned them.

Still, blessed be God, His word must stand for ever, however much His people fail to carry it out. His standard is perfect, and therefore must never be lowered. If the ways of His people do not show the power of His word, it will shine in the condemnation of those ways. And it will always remain for the guidance, comfort, strength and blessing of any who want to walk the path of obedience, however weak and unsteady their steps.

Moses urged them to keep the statutes and judgments God had given them. He said this would be their wisdom and understanding in the sight of the nations, because it would mark them out from others. We know, however, that they failed completely. But God will take them up again according to the new covenant. Then it is said, "The LORD will arise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising" (Isa. 60:2-3).

So the one who walks by divine wisdom is counted a fool — told he will be easy prey for the world. For the world counts on evil after all. It looks to its own cleverness as its resource — knowing more evil, and making plans to get around it. But obedience to the word is divine wisdom, because divine wisdom, which knows all things, has formed the path.

Next he presses their singular privilege in His presence with them. What nation had such a wonder as God Himself in their midst — God Himself near the least of them? … It was not merely a sight of God, but One who was pleased to take the liveliest and most intimate interest in His people Israel.

Here is true moral greatness, at all times and in all places, for a nation, for a people, for a household, or for an individual. It is to have the living God near to us. It is to have the sweet privilege of calling upon Him in all things. It is to have His power and His mercy always at work toward us. It is to have the light of His blessed face shining on us with approval, in all our ways. It is to have the moral effect of His righteous statutes and holy commandments seen in our daily conduct. It is to have Him showing Himself to us, and making His home with us.

And yet they are placed by infinite grace within the reach of every child of God on the face of the earth. We do not mean to say that every child of God enjoys them. Far from it. They are reserved for those who, through grace, are enabled to render a loving, hearty, reverent obedience to the divine word.

His voice had spoken to them; they had heard His words. They were privileged above all other nations… Therefore they had great responsibility. Three times Moses told them to take heed (verses 9, 15 and 23). He warned them to beware of idolatry.

They are exceptional only in this: God brought them into a closer visible relation to Himself than any other nation… Sadly, what was their greatest privilege was also what searched out to the very bottom everything in their heart. "God is light," and whatever makes things visible is light. Without full self-judgment, and without yielding ourselves to Him whole-heartedly, the more we feel His presence the more unbearable it becomes.

The Gentiles were far off, without God and without hope in the world. The Jews were, in point of privilege, near. … But the Jew could not boast, for he needed the death of Christ as much as the Gentile. Grace has reconciled both Jew and Gentile by the cross.

As a nation, Israel was near to God compared with the Gentiles, "who were far off." The priests were nearer still, since they could enter the holy place. But even the priests were shut out of God's immediate presence. That privilege belonged only to Moses, and to the high priest on the day of atonement. Through the coming of the Lord Jesus, and His work on the cross, God brings the Christian right to Himself, with boldness to enter the holiest place by the blood of Jesus. Yet, as believers, though God has brought us to Himself (1 Peter 3:18) and given us access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18), we may not be living in the good of the blessings He has given us. These blessings can only be known and enjoyed in nearness to Christ.

Property always stayed in the family. No man could buy up and build a large estate. Care for the poor, consideration for others and love for a neighbour were all enforced by law. All through human history, against every race, the challenge has gone out unanswered — "What great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law?" Deuteronomy 4:5-10. Who but an all-wise, all-time foreseeing, all righteous Creator-God could give and record such laws?

Their wisdom and their understanding were to consist in simply keeping and doing the divine statutes and judgements. They were to display that wisdom not by learned discussion or arguments, but by child-like, unquestioning obedience. All the wisdom was in the statutes and judgements, not in their thoughts and reasonings about them. The profound and marvellous wisdom of God was seen in His word, and this was what the nations were to see and admire.

If they could have been established under the law as a holy people to the Lord, the nations around would have learned two things from them. First, what a blessed people they were; and secondly, what a God their Jehovah was.

If the true God chooses to give a law to man, it must be an unquestionably wise and worthy law. It must suit the condition of man as far as a law can. And such is God's law — holy, just, and good. But the difficulty is this: man, being a sinner, is as far as possible from being able to meet God's law. How can there be any real, stable bond between a bad man and a good law? That difficulty was once impossible to overcome. But now grace perfectly meets it, and meets it in a way that shows both the goodness and the wisdom of God.

How little the nations of the earth learned about God and His word from the actions of Israel! Instead, His Name was blasphemed continually because of their ways. They should have held the high, holy and happy ground of loving obedience to the divine commandments. Instead they came down to the level of the nations around them. They adopted their habits, worshipped their gods, and walked in their ways. So those nations never saw the lofty wisdom, purity and moral glory of the divine statutes. They saw only the weakness, folly and moral degradation of a people who boasted of holding the very words that condemned them.

Still, blessed be God, His word must stand for ever, however His people may fail to carry it out. His standard is perfect, so it must never be lowered. If His people's ways do not show the power of His word, it will shine in the condemnation of those ways. And it will always remain for the guidance, comfort, strength and blessing of anyone who wants to walk the path of obedience, however weakly or unsteadily.

God had given Israel His own statutes and judgments. In truth and righteousness they were far superior to those of any other nation (v.8). This was true of the law as God gave it. God's provisions of grace to the Church today are far more superior still. That grace brings out a response of godly devotion and faithful action from believers (Titus 2:11-12).

What nation had such a wonder as God Himself among them — God Himself near the least of them? … It was not merely a sight of God, but One who chose to take the liveliest and most intimate interest in His people Israel.

Just as Timothy was told, "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine" (1 Tim. 4:16), so Israel is told, "Take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen" (v. 9). We may too easily forget things that once greatly impressed us, so that we need constant reminders.

There is a dangerous tendency in the human heart to forget, particularly in matters relating to God. Deuteronomy gives us Moses' final addresses to the people. How often we meet warnings there such as "Beware lest you forget," and "Take heed that you remember."

But the poor human heart is prone to wander; and many influences are at work around us to draw us off the narrow path of obedience. We need not be surprised, then, at the solemn and often-repeated warnings Moses addressed to the hearts and consciences of his hearers.

We may be sure there is no more accurate indicator of our moral and spiritual condition than the way we treat the word of God. Do we love it? Do we love to study it, thirst after it, delight in it? Do we long for the quiet hour when we can pore over its sacred pages and drink in its most precious teaching? … If not, we have urgent need to look closely at our spiritual state, for we are sadly out of health.

These are weighty words for all of us. They set before us two things of enormous importance: personal responsibility and family responsibility — testimony in the individual and in the home. God's people of old had to guard the heart with all diligence, so that it would not let slip the precious word of God. And more than that, they had a solemn duty to teach their children and their grandchildren the same.

Let us look together at a few of the Old Testament exhortations to us who are parents or grandparents, for we find both are included.

We find, for example, in the book of Deuteronomy very detailed directions for their instruction (Deut. 6:6-7; see also Deut. 4:9; and Deut. 11:19) … The heart of God, flowing out towards His saints, includes their children also within the circle of His affections.

Their danger would be forgetfulness, as the following verses show. The same danger is ours today … Of course, the invention of printing has given us an enormous advantage compared with some 3,500 years ago. It has indeed; but if we do not diligently study our Bibles, and then teach and talk about their contents, we are truly to blame.

In reminding them of Horeb, he presses the privilege they had enjoyed: nearness to God. God Himself had spoken to them out of the fire, and they saw no form. He presses too the authority of the word, and its majesty, which shuts out every thought of idolatry.

The great and all-important point for Israel of old, and for the church now — for each, for all, at all times and in all places — is to come into direct, living contact with the eternal word of the living God. The end in view is this: "so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so."

It is very beautiful to note the close connection between hearing God's word and fearing His name. It is one of those great root principles that never change, never lose their power or their real value. The word and the name go together. The heart that loves the one will reverence the other, and bow to its holy authority in all things.

True, here it was a mountain of fire, because the people had accepted the law and put themselves under it. Yet the fear with which God sought to impress them was preserving, and in that sense gracious. And after grace has fully come, a "fear of the Lord" still remains for us. It is not terror, but it allows no lightness. Alongside it "the comfort of the Holy Spirit" is always found.

But this love must have reverence in it too. Nothing is more offensive than the over-familiar tone some people take toward God, people shaped by the loose gospel often preached today. Yet God would have us near Him — truly near. The nearer we are, the more His majesty will impress us, and the more the infinite distance between ourselves and Him will sink into us.

We forget too easily, even things that once made a deep impression on us, so we need constant reminders. They were told to teach these things to their children and grandchildren, and we need the same warning. Too often, after only one or two generations, people have let the truth slip so far that hardly a shadow of it seems left. This happened in Israel too.

And note especially the solemn responsibility Israel had for their children. They were not only to "hear" and "learn" for themselves; they were also to teach their children. No one can neglect this duty without consequence; it holds everywhere and always. God attaches very great importance to this matter.

We believe the whole business of Christian education is summed up in two short sentences: count on God for your children, and train your children for God. Take the first without the second, and it is antinomianism. Take the second without the first, and it is legality. Take both together, and it is sound practical Christianity — true religion in the sight of God and man.

The mountain burning with fire to the heart of heaven, wrapped in darkness, cloud and gloom — solemn and suitable for the occasion! — "And the Lord spoke to you out of the midst of the fire" — Oh, how differently He speaks in the gospel of His grace! — "You heard the voice of the words, but saw no likeness" — an important fact for them to think about! — "only a voice."

Every detail in this introduction to the giving of the law showed the infinite majesty of God. Each one pressed on sinful man that his natural place is distance from the Holy One. The thunderings and lightnings symbolised heaven's judgment on the sinful earth (see Rev. 4:5). The burning fire rising to the heart of heaven symbolised the consuming nature of divine justice. No mediator stepped in, no sacrifice stood in man's place. Darkness and fire surrounded the Most High, and from His awful throne came "the fiery law," whose words Israel could not bear (Heb. 12:20). The words given, the measures taken, the physical surroundings — all pressed one reality on the people: God was unapproachable!

The law given by Moses is called "the word spoken by angels" (Heb. 2:2); but it was not a setting out of what God was, but rather of what man was as God had made him at the beginning. That is why God is said to have been in the thick darkness. He kept Himself concealed while He occupied them with what they should be if they were to remain in His favour. He could not bring Himself into the light, because the question at issue was not what He was, but what they ought to be.

The moment Israel made their "singular vow," the moment they undertook to "do," everything changed. "And the Lord said to Moses, Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud… Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death." This was a marked change. The One who had just said, "I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself," now wraps Himself "in a thick cloud," and says, "set limits for the people all around." The sweet tones of grace and mercy are exchanged for the "thunderings and lightnings" of the fiery mount.

At Sinai, God was declaring to the people of Israel the covenant and setting out what He commanded them to perform, the ten commandments (Deut. 4:10-13). That is why God's presence on earth came with symbols. They showed His majesty, and His holy destructive judgment against disobedience and sin. These symbols — the fire, the gloom, the darkness and the tempest — struck terror into people's hearts. Everything at Sinai was against us… Man in his natural state cannot endure the presence of God. Any glimpse of the glory of God is overwhelming when it comes with a demand on man.

God had said to Israel, "I will dwell in the thick darkness." At Sinai He told them to keep away: "if even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned." There was a great deal of good there, but He stayed hidden behind His covering of darkness. God acted towards Israel, but did not show Himself. Now the veil is torn from top to bottom, and all is light.

God came out from the unapproachable light to make His law known. He set out His demands on man — what He requires of him as one standing on his own responsibility. But He did not show Himself. He surrounded Himself with "a thick cloud" (Ex. 19:9). He spoke out of "fire and smoke" (v. 18) and "thick darkness" (Deut. 4:11). There was a display of majesty, power and authority. The storm and the shaking of the mountain were so great that the people trembled, and Moses himself was terrified (Heb. 12:21).

temunah, 'form, appearance,' which may not imply likeness. Num. 12:8; Deut. 4:12, 15, 16.

They saw nothing. God did not show Himself to them. He did not assume any bodily shape of which they might form an image. He gave them His word, His holy commandments, so plain that a child could understand them... So they had no need to imagine what God was like. No — that was the very sin they had been so faithfully warned against. They were called to hear God's voice, not to see His shape — to obey His commandments, not to make an image of Him.

The point pressed here is simple. When they came and stood before God — as far as anyone then could stand — they had seen no likeness of Jehovah. What a guard this was against the misuse of outward forms! God Himself did not disclose Himself by an external creature-shape... So this strikes a heavy blow at the pull towards idolatry.

Again Moses insists that Israel saw no form when the Lord spoke to them at Horeb. The danger was real that they might corrupt themselves by making a carved image — in the form of a male or female, or of any animal, bird, reptile or fish (vv. 16-18). Israel's history had shown the need for such a warning. Right after God gave the law they made the golden calf, breaking the first law they had promised to keep (Ex. 32:1-4).

They needed no proof that He exists or that He is powerful. He had used that power for them, and His first words declared Him their Deliverer out of slavery in Egypt. He did not claim their love without having done that which would secure it for Him. But this love must have reverence in it too. Nothing is more offensive than the over-familiar tone some people take towards God... Yet God would have us near Him — truly near — and the nearer we are, the more His majesty will impress us.

"Then the LORD spoke to you out of the midst of the fire" — Oh, how differently He speaks in the gospel of His grace! — "only a voice" — And "faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."

Jesus is declared to be the brightness of God's glory and the exact impression of His substance. He could say, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father." So the Son reveals the Father. And we know anything of the Son by the word, through the power of the Holy Spirit. So if anyone tries to form an image of God, or of Christ, by efforts of his mind or workings of his imagination, that is simply idolatry.

"And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments" — not so that they might discuss them, sit in judgment on them, or argue about them, but — "that you might do them." That is the grand old story, the theme of obedience that runs through Deuteronomy, most precious! It holds true whether they are outside the land or — "in the land that you are going over to possess."

The Lord spoke out of the midst of the fire. Israel saw no form, but they heard His voice (v.12). God declared His covenant, and along with it He wrote the ten commandments on two tablets of stone (v.13). At the same time He commanded Moses to teach Israel His statutes and judgments (v.14). This was not only for the wilderness journey, but also with their crossing into the land of Canaan in view. Forty years in the wilderness made no difference to Israel's duty to keep the law. They had to keep it steadily in the land of Canaan too.

Here lies the solid ground of the appeal against idolatry. They saw nothing. God did not show Himself to them. He did not take any bodily shape from which they might make an image. He gave them His word, His holy commandments, so plain that a child could understand them... They had no need to start imagining what God was like. That was the very sin they were so faithfully warned against. God called them to hear His voice, not to see His shape — to obey His commandments, not to make an image of Him.

In reminding them of Horeb, he insists on the privilege they had enjoyed in nearness to God. God Himself had spoken to them out of the fire, and they saw no likeness. He insists too on the authority of the word — its majesty — which shuts out all thought of idolatry... Such is the basis of the government of this people.

Here we see very clearly the special mark of the whole book of Deuteronomy. "Listen," and "do"; that you may "live" and "possess." This is a universal and lasting principle. It was true for Israel, and it is true for us. The path of life and the true secret of possession is simple obedience to God's holy commandments... God has given us His word, not to speculate about it or discuss it, but so that we may obey it.

The law given to Israel included "statutes and judgments," as verse 5 states, as well as the ten commandments. All these were binding on them. In verse 6 Moses tells them that keeping and doing them would be "your wisdom and your understanding." Israel never had that "wisdom," and neither have we. The believer today, however, is "in Christ Jesus," and He is "made to us wisdom," as 1 Corinthians 1:30 tells us. Here is perfect wisdom indeed!