Deuteronomy 4:1-40 Now therefore listen, O Israel, to the statutes and to the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that you may live… I. In reviewing the gracious dealings of God towards us, THE GREAT DIFFICULTY IS TO KNOW AT WHAT POINT TO BEGIN. As a people, and as individuals, to God alone are we indebted for the multiplied sources of hope and enjoyment. We live under a mild and well-balanced constitution, and under the shadow of equitable laws. We possess a fruitful soil and temperate seasons. We enjoy an open Bible, and therefore have the full light of Divine revelation. We are favoured likewise with a pure faith and the reformed religion. II. "HEARKEN THEREFORE, O ISRAEL," WAS THE INFERENCE OF MOSES ON A REVIEW OF THE DEALINGS OF GOD TOWARDS THE JEWS: "Hearken, therefore, to His statutes and judgments so as to do them." The Scriptures, both of the Old and New Testament, contain the records of God's will, and His statutes for us. To hearken to these precepts we are bound both by duty and by gratitude. These are the strongest forces which can be applied to the mind of man. III. BY OBEDIENCE ONLY CAN WE SECURE MERCIES YET TO COME. Of this Moses warned the Israelites: "Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you." The promises vouchsafed to them had reference to temporal things. These could only be secured by obedience. The promises granted to us in the Gospel relate both to time and to eternity, for "Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." (H. J. Hastings, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. |
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