THE WORDS WHICH YOUR EYES HAVE SEEN.
Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Deuteronomy 4:6-9.
The Greek title of this book, ‘Deuteronomy’ is translated as ‘the second giving of the law’.
Israel has had a great history with their God, being ‘brought forth out of the furnace of Egypt to be unto HIM a people of inheritance’ (Deuteronomy 4:20). Because of this, Moses exhorts them to “hearken”, to hear and obey what Moses is teaching them from the LORD. The purpose for this is clear: “that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers is giving you” (Deuteronomy 4:1).
Of course, Moses is describing ‘the righteousness which is of the law’ (Romans 10:5), effectively, ‘this do and live.’ This no man but Jesus was ever able perfectly to keep. However, those who are ‘saved by grace through faith’ (Ephesians 2:8) in Christ Jesus (Romans 10:9) are God’s workmanship, ‘created in Christ Jesus UNTO good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them’ (Ephesians 2:10). In other words, ‘Live, and you will do this.’
Jesus said, ‘I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly’ (John 10:10; cf. Matthew 11:3, 'the Coming One'). What the LORD holds before His people is an inheritance (Deuteronomy 4:1; cf. Deuteronomy 4:5; Deuteronomy 1:8), and it is up to us to “go in and possess” whatever God has set before us. Even in the age of grace, obedience to God still results in long life (Ephesians 6:1-3). And there is the promise of an inheritance beyond the bounds of this earth (1 Peter 1:4).
Now what Moses is teaching is “the commands of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 4:2). This is Scripture. That is his authority. As such, we are not to add to it (like the Pharisees, with all their supplementary prohibitions), nor take from it (like the Sadducees, who denied certain things taught in it). If we add to or take from Scripture, we do so at our own peril (Revelation 22:18-19). However, if we ‘turn not from it to the right hand or to the left,’ we shall ‘prosper’ wherever we go (Joshua 1:7).
Now, to “keep” the Word of God and live by it will be seen to be our “wisdom and understanding” by “the nations”, by those outside the faith (Deuteronomy 4:6). Living the faith - living the Gospel rather than just speaking it - is all a part of our witness, and points not only to ourselves (Deuteronomy 4:8), but to the LORD whom we serve (Deuteronomy 4:7). This is the glory of the Christian church: that the LORD our God is “nigh unto” us when we call upon Him.
So, we should hearken, we should hear and obey (Deuteronomy 4:1); and we should “take heed” to ourselves (Deuteronomy 4:9). To whom? Literally, to our whole mind, body, and spirit; “keeping our soul diligently.” Furthermore we should be careful “lest we forget” literally: “the WORDS which our eyes have SEEN” (Deuteronomy 4:9; cf. Amos 1:1).
And one good way not to forget the words of God, and all that He has done in our lives, is to ‘pass it on’ to the next generation, and to the next: “to our sons, and to our sons’ sons” (Deuteronomy 4:9).
