Read Deuteronomy 4:41–49
Questions from the Scripture text: Who set apart what (Deuteronomy 4:41)? Where? For whom to flee there (Deuteronomy 4:42)? Who has done what? Unto what end? Which three cities for which three people (Deuteronomy 4:43)? What did Moses set before whom (Deuteronomy 4:44)? What three ways does he describe this law (Deuteronomy 4:45)? Who spoke them? To whom? When? Where (Deuteronomy 4:46)? Whose land had it been? What had Moses and the children of Israel done to him? What did they do to this land (Deuteronomy 4:47)? And who else’s land? Where (Deuteronomy 4:47-49)?
What difference does the location of Deuteronomy make? Deuteronomy 4:41–49 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the location of Deuteronomy reminds us that this law comes in the context of the covenant of grace.
Geography is very significant to this second giving of the law (deutero-nomy).
As Moses preaches this exposition of the ten commandments, he does so in the context of them being a covenant document, governing the relationship between Israel and the Lord in the land.
But they are already partially in the land. Half of the cities of refuge have been set up (Deuteronomy 4:41-42, cf. Numbers 35:9–34), and 2.5 tribes are settled (Deuteronomy 4:43).
They have already been given victory over people in the land (Deuteronomy 4:46), and they already possess a significant portion of the land (Deuteronomy 4:47-49). The mention of Pisgah at the end reminds us that they are “in sight” of the land across the Jordan. This is the mountain from which Moses would see the land (cf. Deuteronomy 3:27).
So the law that is set before the children of Israel (Deuteronomy 4:44) is being presented in the context of God having already kept up His end of the covenant. He is already their Deliverer. He has already begun to give them their inheritance, to give them victory, to provide for them what they need for a just and righteous society. And His law is another provision of “testimonies, statutes, and judgments.”
This helps us see that this is not a covenant of works. In the dynamics of God’s relationship with Israel, as both visible church and nation, there is chastening/curse that comes with unfaithfulness, and blessing that comes with faithfulness. But the law itself is given as a gift from a generous and gracious God, in the context of His having already delivered, and as part of His bringing them into the fullness of His salvation. This is an interaction between God and the visible church (as well as an interaction between God and a nation), within the context of the covenant of grace.
Now, if this was true for Israel, isn’t it all the more so true for you, dear believer? Whether in connection with your own life, your household’s, your church’s, or your nation’s, doesn’t the law of God come to you in the context of grace already extended to you? You know that none of your obedience can ever earn for you anything that Christ has not already earned for you. And His instruction is, unto us, a great kindness in and of itself. And any obedience that we render is only done in and through the Lord Jesus.
What a gift His law is! And, behold what goodness you are already responding to!
What use are you making of God’s law in your own life? What use does your household make of it? What has He already done for you? How do you go about viewing His law as a gift and blessing?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for saving us and being our good, gracious, and covenant God. And thank You for giving us Your good law within the context of that covenant. Grant unto us grace to receive it as a kindness, and grant us grace to be able to follow it and enjoy Your blessing in doing so, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP119M “O How I Love Your Law!” or TPH174 “The Ten Commandments”
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