Deuteronomy 4:11–20

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!

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

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

The point urged here is this. They came and stood in the presence of God, as far as anyone then could stand. Yet they had seen no form of Jehovah. What a guard this was against the misuse of outward forms! God Himself did not disclose Himself by an external creature-shape. Jehovah their God did not make Himself visible to them by any form. So here is a heavy blow struck at the tendency 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. It could be in the shape 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 they received the law, they made the golden calf. They broke the first law they had promised to keep (Ex. 32:1-4).

The people are taught in plain words. When they made an image and bowed down to it, they lowered and corrupted themselves. So when they made the golden calf, the Lord said to Moses, "Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves." It could not be otherwise. The worshipper must be lower than what he worships. So in worshipping a calf, they put themselves below the level of the beasts that perish.

At Mount Horeb, Israel had only the "voice" of God, and was warned against any form. In the same way, we have only holy Scripture. We are warned against everything that would draw us away from that holy and all-sufficient standard, even by the breadth of a hair. We must not listen to the suggestions of our own minds, nor to those of any other human mind. We must absolutely and firmly refuse to listen to anything but the voice of God — the voice of holy Scripture. Here is true security, true rest.

He is the invisible God, remember, though there are glories belonging to Him that can be shown. Moses had to be told that no man could see Him and live. But He who is the image of the invisible God, the only begotten Son, has declared Him.

The point urged here is this. They came and stood in the presence of God, as far as anyone then could stand. Yet 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 there is here a heavy blow struck at the tendency towards idolatry. When cut off from Christ, outward forms only became a snare to people. It is even more so now that Christ has come: misused forms are the same thing in principle, as Galatians 4 teaches.

temunah, "form, appearance," which may not imply likeness. Numbers 12:8; Deuteronomy 4:12, 15, 16.

They saw nothing. God did not show Himself to them. He did not take on 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... God called them to hear His voice, not to see His shape — to obey His commandments, not to make an image of Him. Superstition vainly tries to honour God by forming and worshipping an image. Faith, on the contrary, lovingly receives and reverently obeys His holy commandments.

The people are expressly taught that in making any image and bowing down to it, they in reality lowered and corrupted themselves. So when they made the golden calf, the Lord said to Moses, "Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves." It could not be otherwise. The worshipper must be lower than the object he worships. So in worshipping a calf, they put themselves below the level of the beasts that perish.

Israel's history had shown the need for such a warning. Right after God gave the law, they made the golden calf. They broke the first law they had promised to keep (Exodus 32:1-4).

Idolatry makes progress, but it is in degradation. First, man, who was made in the image of God, is turned into a god. Then come birds of the air, four-footed beasts, and down to the crawling insects, each step sinking lower. Look at the great temples of Egypt, where building reached its height of grandeur. Grand avenues lead up to them, with their outer court and inner sanctuary. But enthroned in the innermost room of all this splendour sits a hideous beetle, a creeping thing — as though Satan delighted to insult God by such a likeness.

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, by any effort of his mind or working of his imagination, to form an image of God or of Christ, that is simply idolatry.

They came and stood in the presence of God, as far as anyone then could stand. And they saw no likeness of the Lord. That is the point pressed here. What a guard this was against the misuse of outward forms! God Himself did not disclose Himself by an external creature-shape. The Lord their God did not make Himself visible to them by a likeness. So this strikes a heavy blow at the tendency towards idolatry.

They saw nothing. God did not show Himself to them. He did not take on 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. There was no need for them to imagine what God was like. That was the very sin they were 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. Superstition vainly tries to honour God by forming and worshipping an image. Faith, on the contrary, lovingly receives and reverently obeys His holy commandments.

All animal worship insults humanity and degrades the divine Being. It lowers in man's eyes the place the Creator gave him, and the result can only be degrading. After the flood, God said to Noah and his sons: "The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every bird of the heavens... Into your hand they are delivered." (Gen. 9:2.) According to the Egyptian religion men might say, "into their hands you are delivered."

The people are expressly taught that in making any image and bowing down to it, they in reality lowered and corrupted themselves. So when they made the golden calf, the Lord spoke to Moses. "Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves." It could not be otherwise. The worshipper must be lower than the object of his worship. So in worshipping a calf, they put themselves below the level of the beasts that perish.

Idolatry, therefore, is a falling away. The only development that Scripture records is a development away from God… Notice the order here. Idolatry makes progress, but its progress is in degradation. First, man, who was made in the image of God, is treated as a god. Then come the birds of the air, then four-footed beasts, down to the grovelling, creeping insects. Each step shows the progress of degradation. You can see it in the magnificent temples of Egypt, where architecture reached its height of grandeur. Wide avenues lead up to grand temples with their outer court and inner sanctuary. But enthroned in the innermost room of all this magnificence is a hideous scarab beetle, a creeping thing — as though Satan delighted to insult God by such a likeness.

At Mount Horeb, Israel was shut up to the "voice" of God and warned against any likeness. In the same way, we are shut up to holy Scripture. We are warned against everything that would draw us away, by the breadth of a hair, from that holy and all-sufficient standard. We must not listen to the suggestions of our own minds, nor to those of any other human mind.

The point pressed here is this. They came and stood in the presence of God, as far as anyone then could stand. Yet they had seen no likeness of the LORD. What a safeguard this was against the misuse of outward forms! God Himself did not disclose Himself by an outward creature-shape. As a result, this strikes a heavy blow at the tendency towards idolatry.

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 form an image. He gave them His word, His holy commandments, so plain that a child could understand them. There was no need for them to set about imagining what God was like. In fact, this was the very sin they were 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.

Notice the order here. Idolatry makes progress, but it is progress in degradation. First, man, whom God made in His own image, is treated as a god. Then come birds of the air, four-footed beasts, and down to the grovelling, creeping insects. They show the progress of degradation. You can see it in the great temples of Egypt, where architecture reached its peak. Grand avenues lead up to the temples, with their outer court and inner room. Yet enthroned in the innermost place of all that splendour is a hideous scarab beetle — a creeping thing. It is as though Satan delighted to insult God by such a likeness.

What was it, in fact, that Egypt worshipped everywhere? Plainly and everywhere, the creature, and not the Creator. Egypt bore witness to the true God, yet it took up everything that was His total opposite. It made gods of a hundred beast-like objects, and so dragged its worshippers below the beasts.

The people are plainly taught that making any image and bowing down to it lowered and corrupted them. So when they made the golden calf, the LORD spoke to Moses. He said: "Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves." It could not be otherwise. The worshipper must be lower than the object of his worship. So in worshipping a calf, they put themselves below the level of the beasts that perish.

Again Moses insists that Israel saw no form when the LORD spoke to them at Horeb. The danger was present that they might corrupt themselves by making a carved image — in the form of a male or female, or 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).

Idolatry takes various shapes. So it is not a question of the shape of the thing, but of the thing itself. It is not the outward form, but the root or principle of it. We read that covetousness is idolatry, and that a covetous man is an idolater. That is, a man who wants more than God has given him is an idolater. He is guilty of the very sin of Israel when they made the golden calf and worshipped it... What do those closing words of the first letter of John mean, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols"? Do they not tell us that we are in danger of worshipping idols?

Also, if they lifted their eyes to heaven, beyond the level of earthly creatures, let them be sure to look above the sun, moon and stars. Let them look to the One who created all these things, instead of worshipping these visible works of God's hands... Though God has created these wonderful heavenly bodies, they are there only to direct our attention to their unseen Maker.

"Higher criticism" has twisted the last clause of the passage just quoted. It teaches that Moses thought God gave the host of heaven to all nations to be their gods. But honest minds understand that these lights were the common portion of all. They are God's creation, witnessing of His power and care to all mankind. What blindness it is to see otherwise!

The sun, with all his brilliance and blessing for us, is clearly only the servant of a power beyond his own. Indeed, as Moses declares in his appeal against this very worship, the sun is servant to the peoples to whom God has assigned the ordinance of heaven (Deut. 4:19). It keeps its appointed seasons with unbroken constancy, and that constancy shows its character to be simply that of a servant... But law is the rule of the governed, and not of the Governor.

The people are plainly taught what they did when they made an image and bowed down to it. They really lowered and corrupted themselves... The worshipper must be lower than what he worships. So in worshipping a calf, they put themselves below the level of the beasts that perish.

Man, unbelieving man, is so ready to abandon the living God, despite the daily standing witness of His power and grace... Nor did the "calf," the abomination of Egypt, satisfy Israel. They craved objects higher than the works of their own hands, whatever the appeal of that to man's vain heart. Once yielding to the snare, Israel had to outdo Egypt. So "God turned and delivered them up to serve the host of heaven."

We have to face an important truth here. Whatever touches God, whatever presents Him falsely, has the closest bearing on the daily life of His people. It reaches both their households and matters of public judgment. If we are wrong in what we allow about God Himself, if we tamper with what stains His glory... or if we set up creatures in the place of God Himself, then all the lower part of life feels the destructive and corrupting results at once.

Exodus 1 shows us the smoking furnace now lit for Israel, the seed of Abram, in the land of Egypt. Moses says to them, "the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt." Solomon says the same later, when he commends Israel to the care of the Lord: "for they are your people, and your heritage, which you brought out of Egypt, from the midst of the iron furnace" (1 Kings 8:51). Scripture calls the place of affliction and trial by this name again and again. (See Isaiah 48:10; Jeremiah 11:3-4; Ezekiel 22:17-22.)

Joseph's story may make Egypt look glorious. Still, its real character shows only in the hard and bitter bondage of Israel. The books of Moses repeat that word so often: "Remember that you were slaves in Egypt!" And Deuteronomy 4:20 describes their redemption in the same way.

God was in the furnace just as much as in the flame of the lamp. It might be easy to see Him in the bright shining of the flame, but not so easy in the smoking furnace. But it was the guarantee that He would be with Abram's seed while they were in the furnace. Then, when the hour struck, He would lead them out with Himself as a pillar of fire at their head.

God promised Abraham this very furnace of affliction in the vision of Genesis 15. This iron furnace is God's representative, along with the lamp, when it passes between the pieces of the sacrifice. It was the necessary means to bring them out for the inheritance He promised them. It is His way to make them the people He wants them to be.

In that furnace of affliction they were welded together as a nation. They entered Egypt a feeble and divided family: they left it a compact and powerful nation.

The LORD, in His rich and sovereign grace, and by His mighty hand, brought them out from the land of death and darkness, a redeemed and delivered people. He had brought them to Himself, so that they might be to Him a peculiar treasure, above all the people on earth. How then could they turn away from Him, from His holy covenant, and from His precious commandments?

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 were to serve only the LORD, for He had brought them out of the iron furnace to be to Him a people of inheritance. He had delivered them and made them His own people; therefore they were to obey Him.

We are His: if Israel was brought out of Egypt, the iron furnace, we are the subjects of a more wonderful and spiritual redemption. For Israel this was the first argument of the law; for us, it is what above all speaks of His title to us.