Idolatry (Dt 4:15-31)

Deuteronomy 4:16-31; Key Verse: Dt 4:24

"For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God."

Tertullian (160-220 AD) says, "The principal crime of the human race, the highest guilt charged upon the world, the whole procuring cause of judgment, is idolatry." Paraphrased: “The principal charge against the human race, the world’s deepest guilt, the all-inclusive cause of judgement is idolatry.”

In Deuteronomy, the themes studied so far are Sin (Dt 1:1-46), Leadership (Dt 1:9-18), Faith (Dt 2:1-3:29) and Obedience (Dt 4:1-14). In Dt 4:15-31, Moses warns the Israelites about how grievous the sin of idolatry is.

1. What it does - How enticing it is (Dt 4:15-19).
2. What it results in - How devastating are its consequences (Dt 4:25-28).
3. What to do; what to remember - How to overcome it (Dt 4:20-24, 29-31).

Reference/Questions:

• 1 - 5 questions from each chapter of the 34 chapters of Deuteronomy. Questions for Deuteronomy 4:

1. Who spoke to Israel at Mount Horeb out of a fire?
   
2. What were the Israelites never to make for themselves concerning God?
3. What other things was Israel never to worship?
4. How could Israel prolong their days and it be well with them and their children?

• Deuteronomy 4 questions.
1. What was Israel to do with God's decrees and laws (Dt 4:1, 5-6a, 9, 14)? What does it mean to not add or subtract from the law (Dt 4:2)? What should be learned from the event at Baal Peor (Dt 4:3-4; Num 25:1-3)?
2. What is gained by obeying God's law (Dt 4:6b-8)? What should be remembered (Dt 4:10-13)?
• Stephen Ricker's Bible study questions.
• Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11. Page 4-5 of the 7 page PDF explains the subtle difference between shema and shamar.
  
• Study notes on Deuteronomy 4:1-40.

A brief summary: The Israelites are commanded to remember four things: God's faithfulness, God's holiness, God's blessings, and God's warnings. The first three chapters recap the trip from Egypt to their current location, Moab. Chapter 4 is a call to obedience, to be faithful to the God Who was faithful to them.

Chapters 5 through 26 are a repetition of the law. The Ten Commandments, the laws concerning sacrifices and specials days, and the rest of the law are given to the new generation. Blessings are promised to those who obey (5:29; 6:17-19; 11:13-15), and famine is promised to those who break the law (11:16-17).

The theme of blessing and cursing is continued in chapters 27-30. This portion of the book ends with a clear choice set before Israel: "I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing." God's desire for His people is found in what He recommends: "choose life" (30:19).

In the final chapters, Moses encourages the people; commissions his replacement, Joshua; records a song; and gives a final blessing to each of the tribes of Israel. Chapter 34 relates the circumstances of Moses' death. He climbed Mt. Pisgah, where the Lord showed him the Promised Land that he could not enter. At 120 years old, but still with good eyesight and the strength of youth, Moses died in the presence of the Lord. The book of Deuteronomy ends with a short obituary on this great prophet.
(Other potential) Key Verses: "Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you." (Dt 4:2)

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." (Dt 6:4-7)

"He said to them, 'Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess." (Dt 32:46-47)

Read more: Book of Deuteronomy.