• Thorns, thistles, pain of childbirth, sweat on the brow (Genesis 3:16-19).
• The rainbow (Genesis 9:11-17).
• Circumcision (Genesis 17:9-14).
• Seven Feasts of Israel:
  • Passover (Leviticus 23:5) – The Feast of Salvation (deliverance).
  • Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6) – The Feast of Purity (from leaven).
  • First Fruits (Leviticus 23:10-11) – The Feast of Thanksgiving for first fruits (Barley harvest).
  • The Feast of Pentecost (Feast of Weeks) (Leviticus 23:17) – The Feast of Thanksgiving for the first fruits (Wheat harvest).
  • The Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24) – The Feast Of Purification (New Year) and called Israel to worship, prayer and fasting for 10 days.
  • The Feast of Atonement (Leviticus 23:27) – (Yom Kippur) The Feast of Holiness. This was the most solemn holy day of them all.
  • The Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:34) – The Feast of Shelter (celebrating God’s provision, both agriculturally and physically).
• Sabbath Day – A weekly reminder of dependence and the need to rest and worship (Exodus 20:8-11).
• 12 memorial stones from the Jordan (Joshua 4:1-7).
• Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 6-8).
• Water baptism (Matthew 28:18-20).
• The Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-33).
• Marriage between believers (Ephesians 5:32).
• The Local Church (Hebrews 10:24-25).
• The Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1; 2 Peter 1:12; 2 Peter 3:1).

It is not sinful to have a bad memory, but it is a result of sin. As believers, it is REALLY important that we spend time recalling what is important. We must call to mind regularly all that God is, and all that He has done for us.

As the final chapters of 2019 are written, and 2020 rises before us, I would like to call us to a place of meditation; a place of consideration; a place of remembering; a place of soul searching.

It behoves us to take inventory of the year that is about to finish. As humans, we are often enamoured with the need to plan for the future, but we often fail to take the necessary time to meditate on the past, review successes and failures, and determine where we have flourished and where we have floundered.

Background about Moses

Moses was Israel’s greatest leader (Deuteronomy 34:10). Because of disobedience he was not permitted to enter the promised land (Numbers 20:10-13). Moses was an author (Genesis – Deuteronomy), a poet (Psalm 90), a song writer (Exodus 15; Deuteronomy 32), a prophet (Deuteronomy 34:10), an Egyptian scholar (Acts 7:22), a Disciple-maker (Numbers 27:12-23); a shepherd (Exodus 3:1), a law-giver (John 1:17), the meekest of men (Numbers 12:3), a mediator (Psalm 106:23); a military commander (Deuteronomy 2:26-37), a servant of God (Hebrews 3:5), a husband (Exodus 2:21), a father (Exodus 4:20), and a brother (Exodus 2:4).

Context of Deuteronomy

“Deuteronomy” means “second law”. However, Deuteronomy is not really a “second law” but rather a re-telling of the law for a new generation of Israel. The previous generation had all died in the wilderness wanderings, and this book contains all the sermons, commands, and instructions given to “New Israel” (Israel 2.0).

Deuteronomy was written around about 1406 BC. Israel was camped on the east side of the Jordan River, on the plains of Moab. They were on the verge of entering the promised land, but before they did, God wanted some important truths communicated to His people via Moses. Those messages form the Book of Deuteronomy.

Deuteronomy only spans about 1 year of time when compared to Exodus which is approximately 400 hundred years. Deuteronomy then, is really Moses’ final words to his people. After 40 years of leading them out of Egypt and through the wilderness, he now provides this new generation with final instructions before he is buried by God on Mount Nebo atop Pisgah.

With that context before us, let me draw your attention to a message I have entitled: A CALL TO CONTEMPLATION AND COMMITMENT.

The Call to Obedience: Deuteronomy 4:1-8

Recently we have spoken a great deal about the law and how it has been fulfilled in the Lord Jesus and that is true. However, like a seesaw, many Christians put all their weight on one end of the truth and in so doing are not finding a biblical balance. To ensure we do not fit into that category, I want to remind you that though the Old Testament law has been fulfilled in Christ, we are still called to a place of obedience. In fact, John wrote, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3).

Antinomianism is the belief that there are no moral laws God expects Christians to obey. Many Christians hold to antinomianism by claiming that we have been liberated from the law and therefore do not need to be concerned with obeying commands set forth in the Scripture. This is putting all your weight at one end of the seesaw.

Deuteronomy 4:1-8 is Moses’ call to the new generation of Israel to obey the commands of God. These specific commands are not relevant to our context, but the call to be obedient is!

Let me share with you four aspects and principles of obedience found here in our text.

1.    Obedience brings Life and Blessing

“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.” Deuteronomy 4:1

Moses was speaking of longevity of physical life, but we are promised fullness of life.

Moses was speaking of entering the physical land of Canaan, but we are promised blessing and reward in the new land (heaven).

The great paradox of Christianity is that when we obey the rules and walk closely with the Lord we ascend to great heights of joy and fulfillment not realised in the plains of apathy and lukewarm living.

Jesus taught this in the Beatitudes and lived it in the crucifixion (Hebrews 12:1-2).

READ: Deuteronomy 30:11-20.

Obedience has ALWAYS brought life and blessing (in every dispensation).

Application:

• The first step of obedience is repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (Mark 1:15).
• After salvation, The Christian is called to live a life of obedience.
  This includes many aspects. Just to name a few:
  • Baptism
  • Fellowship with the local church
  • Cheerfully giving
  • Evangelism
  • Prayer
  • Reading the Scriptures
  • Obeying authorities
  • Holy living
  • Ministering to the needs of others
• As you think of 2019, can you say that you have been seeking to live a life of obedience?
• Do you observe a particular stronghold of disobedience?
• Would you live life to the fullest as a Christian? Be obedient!

2.    Pure Obedience (not bending the rules)

“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.” Deuteronomy 4:2

Children are renowned for “bending the rules”. But children are not the only ones to do this.

My dear sister has an innate ability to “bend the rules”. Jessica and I will say something like, “when you get up tomorrow, don’t eat any of the breakfast food we have left out on the bench until we are up and can help you with it.”

When we get up the next morning, we find her eating a bread roll. When confronted about this disobedience, she is quick to remind us that the bread roll was NOT on the bench, but in the cupboard- A bending of the rules!

Moses’ command to the people was to ensure that they did not add rules or take away from those that God had given.

Application:

• As you think about 2019, have you lived a life of PURE obedience without trying to bend the rules, tighten the rules, or alter the rules?

3.    Obedience Protects you from Chastening

“Your eyes have seen what the LORD did at Baal-peor, for the LORD your God destroyed from among you all the men who followed the Baal of Peor. But you who held fast to the LORD your God are all alive today.” Deuteronomy 4:3-4

God has never tolerated sin in the life of His people. Because God is just, He must discipline us for our sin. Because God is loving, His discipline is never too harsh or unjustified. When the love and justice of God combine to bring correction, it is always for the good of His people.

In Numbers 25:3-9 we are told that God killed 24,000 Israelites by a plague because they had sided with Baal of Peor who promoted idolatry. On the face of it, this may seem a little extreme. However, when you consider God’s jealousy over His people, and His desire to purify the nation, this is precisely what was needed.

Those who held fast to the Lord and His commandments were protected from the discipline and chastening of the Lord.

Now we must be careful of the seesaw again! Chastening is a good thing because it helps us live according to the rules. However, obedience is BETTER than chastening. God’s chastening means that we are His children and He loves us, but our obedience means that we love Him.

“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (Hebrews 12:6).

“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19).

“For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10).

Application:

And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. (1 Samuel 15:22)

• Have you been striving to obey the Lord in 2019 or have you spent much time under the chastening hand of the Lord?
• Were those sicknesses, financial strains, marriage difficulties, relationship breakdowns etc. part of God’s discipline in your life in 2019? These can’t be known for sure, but we should carefully consider whether we have lived obediently.

4.    Obedience Promotes God’s Wisdom and Righteousness

“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.’ For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?” Deuteronomy 4:6-8

From the beginning, God’s people were always supposed to be different from the nations. Whether it was the Children of Israel in the Old Testament or the Church in the New Testament, both were called to represent God and His character in word and deed.

In this set of verses, it is clear that obedience promotes the character of God to the nations. I have personally seen and heard unsaved people say to Christian parents, “How is it that your children have grown up to love and respect you and others?”. The answer: “they followed the rules of God’s Word.”

This is precisely what Jesus meant in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Paul said, “Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).

When we obey God’s commandments, we are bringing our “heavenly citizenship” into earth’s domain. When we live by the laws of Scripture, we are advancing God’s kingdom. When we abide by the rules of our new Master, we “proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

Application:

• As you ponder 2019, can you say that your life has promoted godliness, wisdom and righteousness because of your obedience?
• Does the world know you to be a child of God because of your behaviour?
• Is it clear to the culture that you do not belong here?
• Does the world know that God is “near” you?

The Call to Careful Diligence: Deuteronomy 4:9a

“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently…”(Deuteronomy 4:9a)

The command here is to be vigilant over their own souls lest they become deceived and disregard God and His Word.

To “take care” (take heed to thyself – KJV) means to “guard, watch over carefully and regularly” lest a parasite latches on to your soul and sucks all the goodness from it.

To “keep your soul diligently” is to protect the eternal interests of the inner man. The soul and heart are synonyms and Solomon writes, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23).

Remember that the soul (heart) is the central processing unit of the person. Here is where evil is devised or where righteousness is sown; here is spawned all manner of wickedness or where holiness is perfected; here is where temptation enters or where victory is won; here is where lusts of the flesh are watered or where the pursuit of God is chosen.

Application:

• What is the state of your soul? First and foremost, has it been regenerated (made alive) by Christ, or is it dead in sin? (Ephesians 2:1)
• Is your soul renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16) or is it tired and worn out from the battles of life? God is the only one who can “restore the soul” (Psalm 23:3).
• Is your soul blessing the Lord? (Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! – Psalm 103:1).
• Is your soul cast down? (Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God” Psalm 42:11)
• Is your soul thirsting after God?  (O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water” Psalm 63:1).
• Is your soul at rest having maintained the ancient paths of obedience? (“Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls” Jeremiah 6:16).
• Today is an opportunity to take inventory of your state of your soul now and over the course of 2019.

The Call to Remembrance: Deuteronomy 4:9b

“…lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life” (Deuteronomy 4:9b)

We began this message by considering the human condition of forgetfulness. Although sin has left us all with bad recollection skills, we are called, nonetheless, to bring to mind regularly the blessings that have been bestowed upon us.

Our failure to recount God’s kindness, protection and provisions will result in apathy, a lack of gratitude, and a departure from closeness with the Lord.

Moses knew the nature of his own forgetfulness and that of his people’s. Much of his life was spent laying the foundations for ceremonies, landmarks and ordinances designed to jolt the memory.

God calls us to bring to the forefront of our mind the things that He has done for us.

Application:

• As the final pages of 2019 are written, I want to encourage you to ponder the blessings, provisions, protection, help, enablement, miracles, guidance that God has provided, and offer thanksgiving to Him!

Johnson Oatmen Jr wrote:

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
*Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
[*And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.]

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy]
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

The Call to Transference: Deuteronomy 4:9c

“Make them known to your children and your children’s children” (Deuteronomy 4:9c).

The final consideration before us today is the call to Transference. By this, I mean, the importance of passing on your experiences with God to the next generation.

This command in this context was given specifically to parents as they raised their children, and this truth is taught in a number of places in the Bible.

“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” (Deuteronomy 6:7).

“You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deuteronomy 11:19).

Although parents are primarily in view here, I believe there is a wider application:

• All Christians should speak about God’s blessings.
• Husbands should encourage their wives and vice versa.
• Pastors should speak of God’s blessings.
• Sunday school teachers should bring this to light in their classes.
• Recounting the blessings of God, offering praise to Him, celebrating His goodness must become the natural speech of God’s people.

Application:

• Moses set up monuments, wrote poems, composed hymns, established feasts and festivals and much more. What can you do in 2020 to bring God’s blessings to the forefront of your minds and the minds of those in your direct sphere of influence?
• How will 2020 improve on 2019 in this regard?