Deuteronomy 4:1-9

The Law of God

The Law of God

In this morning’s text, the Israelites were preparing to enter a new country.

The Law of God

In this morning’s text, the Israelites were preparing to enter a new country.They had spent over 400 years in Egypt & 40 years in the

wilderness.

The Law of God

In this morning’s text, the Israelites were preparing to enter a new country.They had spent over 400 years in Egypt & 40 years in the

wilderness.God, through Moses, is giving them the Law for the new

country.

The Law of God

In this morning’s text, the Israelites were preparing to enter a new country.They had spent over 400 years in Egypt & 40 years in the

wilderness.God, through Moses, is giving them the Law for the new

country.Of course, God has already given the Law.

The Law of God

In this morning’s text, the Israelites were preparing to enter a new country.They had spent over 400 years in Egypt & 40 years in the

wilderness.God, through Moses, is giving them the Law for the new

country.Of course, God has already given the Law.In Deuteronomy, God reiterates how important that Law is.

The Law of God

In this morning’s text, the Israelites were preparing to enter a new country.They had spent over 400 years in Egypt & 40 years in the

wilderness.God, through Moses, is giving them the Law for the new

country.Of course, God has already given the Law.In Deuteronomy, God reiterates how important that Law is.“Deuteronomy”=“Second Law.”

The Law of God

Deuteronomy 4:1-9

The Law of God

“Law” is quite unpopular.

The Law of God

“Law” is quite unpopular.

Since “law” is unpopular, why even discuss it?

The Law of God

One: it’s biblical.

The Law of God

One: it’s biblical.Even the New Testament speaks of “law.”

The Law of God

One: it’s biblical.Even the New Testament speaks of “law.”“Whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has

become accountable for all of it. For he who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty” (Js 2:10-12, ESV).

The Law of God

One: it’s biblical.Two: obeying the law grants eternal life.

The Law of God

One: it’s biblical.Two: obeying the law grants eternal life.

“The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 Jn 2:17, ESV).

The Law of God

One: it’s biblical.Two: obeying the law grants eternal life.

“The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 Jn 2:17, ESV).

Therefore, we need to think seriously about “law.”

The Law of God

A SUCCESSFUL LAWA SUPREME LAWA SAPIENT LAW

A SUITABLE LAWA SPANNING LAW

The Law of God

A Successful Law

v 1

The Law of God

“And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you” (v 1, ESV).

The Law of God

If the Israelites kept the Law, they would be successful.

The Law of God

If the Israelites kept the Law, they would be successful.The land promises to Israel were tied up in obedience to the

Law.

The Law of God

If the Israelites kept the Law, they would be successful.The land promises to Israel were tied up in obedience to the

Law (Deut 30:15-18).

The Law of God

If the Israelites kept the Law, they would be successful.The land promises to Israel were tied up in obedience to the

Law (Deut 30:15-18).The people learned that lesson the hard way.

The Law of God

If the Israelites kept the Law, they would be successful.The land promises to Israel were tied up in obedience to the

Law (Deut 30:15-18).The people learned that lesson the hard way.

Achan.

The Law of God

If the Israelites kept the Law, they would be successful.The land promises to Israel were tied up in obedience to the

Law (Deut 30:15-18).The people learned that lesson the hard way.

Achan.Assyrian Captivity.

The Law of God

If the Israelites kept the Law, they would be successful.The land promises to Israel were tied up in obedience to the

Law (Deut 30:15-18).The people learned that lesson the hard way.

Achan.Assyrian Captivity.Babylonian Captivity.

The Law of God

God blesses his people for obedience to his law.

The Law of God

God blesses his people for obedience to his law.“The one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty,

and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing” (Js 1:25, ESV).

The Law of God

God blesses his people for obedience to his law.Js 1:25.“Whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his

commandments and do what pleases him” (1 Jn 3:22, ESV).

The Law of God

God blesses his people for obedience to his law.Js 1:25.1 Jn 3:22. “Being made perfect, [Jesus] became the source of eternal

salvation to all who obey him” (Heb 5:9, ESV).

The Law of God

Are you obeying God?

The Law of God

Are you obeying God?

Is God blessing you for your obedience?

The Law of God

A Supreme Law

v 2

The Law of God

“You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you” (v 2, ESV).

The Law of God

God’s law is A SUPREME LAW—man cannot improve upon it.

The Law of God

God’s law is A SUPREME LAW—man cannot improve upon it.The Israelites are not to add to nor take from God’s law.

The Law of God

God’s law is A SUPREME LAW—man cannot improve upon it.The Israelites are not to add to nor take from God’s law.God is concerned that man obey his will as given.

The Law of God

God’s law is A SUPREME LAW—man cannot improve upon it.The Israelites are not to add to nor take from God’s law.God is concerned that man obey his will as given.

“Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar” (Prov 30:6, ESV).

The Law of God

God’s law is A SUPREME LAW—man cannot improve upon it.The Israelites are not to add to nor take from God’s law.God is concerned that man obey his will as given.

Prov 30:6.“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this

book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book” (Rev 22:18-19, ESV).

The Law of God

There is no changing God’s law!

The Law of God

God’s Law is a Sapient Law

v 6

The Law of God

“Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people’” (v 6, ESV).

The Law of God

God’s law is A SAPIENT LAW—it makes its followers wise.

The Law of God

God’s law is A SAPIENT LAW—it makes its followers wise.“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov

1:7, ESV).

The Law of God

God’s law is A SAPIENT LAW—it makes its followers wise.“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov

1:7, ESV). “Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for

it is ever with me” (Ps 119:98, ESV).

The Law of God

When others hear God’s law, they will recognize these statutes as sapient.

The Law of God

When others hear God’s law, they will recognize these statutes as sapient. No other nation had a God to come to their aid when they

called.

The Law of God

When others hear God’s law, they will recognize these statutes as sapient. No other nation had a God to come to their aid when they

called.Why would God come to his people’s aid?

The Law of God

When others hear God’s law, they will recognize these statutes as sapient. No other nation had a God to come to their aid when they

called.Why would God come to his people’s aid?Deut 30:1-5.

The Law of God

When others hear God’s law, they will recognize these statutes as sapient. No other nation had a God to come to their aid when they

called.Why would God come to his people’s aid?Deut 30:1-5.

The people would recognize God’s laws as righteous.

The Law of God

People will continue to see God’s law as A SAPIENT LAW.

The Law of God

People will continue to see God’s law as A SAPIENT LAW.“From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred

writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Tm 3:15, ESV).

The Law of God

People will continue to see God’s law as A SAPIENT LAW.“From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred

writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Tm 3:15, ESV).

Maybe not in this life, but everyone will one day understand the wisdom of following God’s law!

The Law of God

Have you been made wise through obedience to God’s will?

The Law of God

God’s Law is a Suitable Law

v 8

The Law of God

“What great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?” (v 8, ESV).

The Law of God

God’s law is A SUITABLE LAW—righteous/right.

The Law of God

God’s law is A SUITABLE LAW—righteous/right.“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the

testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart” (Ps 19:7-8, ESV).

The Law of God

God’s law is A SUITABLE LAW—righteous/right.“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the

testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart” (Ps 19:7-8, ESV).

“Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true” (Ps 119:142, ESV).

The Law of God

God’s current law is also suitable.

The Law of God

God’s current law is also suitable.It contains no defect.

The Law of God

God’s current law is also suitable.It contains no defect.

“The law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good” (Rom 7:12, ESV).

The Law of God

God’s current law is also suitable.It contains no defect.

“The law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good” (Rom 7:12, ESV).

“We know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully” (1 Tm 1:8, ESV).

The Law of God

God’s current law is also suitable.It contains no defect.

“The law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good” (Rom 7:12, ESV).

“We know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully” (1 Tm 1:8, ESV).

God’s law is A SUITABLE LAW, for it comes from the mind of the perfect God.

The Law of God

God’s Law is a Spanning Law

v 9

The Law of God

God expects his law to span from one generation to the next.

The Law of God

God expects his law to span from one generation to the next.

“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children” (v 9, ESV)

The Law of God

God expects his people to teach their children his ways.

The Law of God

God expects his people to teach their children his ways.“These words that I command you today shall be on your

heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deut 6:6-7, ESV).

The Law of God

God expects his people to teach their children his ways.“These words that I command you today shall be on your

heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deut 6:6-7, ESV).

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6, ESV).

The Law of God

God’s law today is A SPANNING LAW.

The Law of God

God’s law today is A SPANNING LAW.“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring

them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4, ESV).

The Law of God

God’s law today is A SPANNING LAW.“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring

them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4, ESV).

Are we making sure that God’s law spans to the next generation?

The Law of God

The whole point of this text is obedience to God’s law.

The Law of God

The whole point of this text is obedience to God’s law.Obedience is so very important.

The Law of God

The whole point of this text is obedience to God’s law.Obedience is so very important.“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the

kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Mt 7:21, ESV).

The Law of God

Are you obeying God?