Sabbath School Lesson for October 30-November 5, 2021
Overview of Lesson 6
See Teresa’s “extra” about the topic of national greatness…https://outlookmag.org/is-your-nation-great/
Examining Deuteronomy, chapter 4, this week, helps us see how the law related to the future of Israel, as they moved forward into the Land of Promise…
- They were told not to add or take away from the law that must be obeyed. (Sunday)
- Past experiences with paganism must not be repeated, if they would continue to have God’s protection and guidance. (Monday)
- Their only hope would be to always cleave to or cling to God. (Tuesday)
- God did not choose them because they were great, but so He could make them great. (Wednesday)
- Keeping His commandments would make them wise, happy, and an example to the world. (Thursday)
The first three chapters of Deuteronomy are historic in nature, reminding the people of notable events their forefathers had experienced. In chapter four, the tone becomes more like preaching. He stresses how they should obey God’s commands, and how those commandments would set them apart and make them prosper as a nation.
Memory Text: ” ‘And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day? ‘ ” Deuteronomy 4:8 NKJV
The statutes and judgments, in other words the law, would make all the difference in what kind of witness they would be to the world. Moses knew how susceptible they were to pagan influences. He couldn’t help but worry that they would repeat their past mistakes. This would derail God’s glorious plan to have a nation represent Him on earth and ultimately provide a bloodline for the coming Messiah.
Just having the law would not be enough. The law would only benefit them if they obeyed it with love in their hearts and with God’s help. God was more than willing to assist them in carrying out their duties and becoming the greatest nation on earth.
Sunday: Do Not Add or Take Away
Not adding or taking away from God’s law meant not to change it in any way (Deuteronomy 4:2). Why would we want to do that, if His law was perfect as King David later proclaimed in Psalm 19:7?
The truth is that it is Satan’s goal to alter the law. It was his claim that God was not the perfect, loving Being He proclaimed He was. If the law would help us be closer to God and represent Him to the world, naturally Satan would do all he could to prevent this from happening by changing the law in some way.
Daniel predicted this would happen when he prophetically mentioned the little horn’s attempt to change times and law (Daniel 7:25). Christianity has largely accepted a different day from the one prescribed in the Ten Commandments, choosing to worship on the first day, instead of the seventh. This may seem like a minor change, but it is a significant change nonetheless, and one that has become largely obscured and ignored over time. See James 2:10.
Long before Daniel’s prophecy was fulfilled, however, Satan was working to get Jewish scribes and religious leaders to add things to the law. Even though it was for the outward purpose of observing it better, they were still changing God’s law to fit their own preconceived ideas and desires.
We can, even today, add to God’s law by elevating tradition above the requirements of the law, or even by keeping it in order to be saved. Moses warned that extreme care must be taken to protect the sacredness of God’s commands. We must refrain from anything that would distract us from keeping the law in the way God intended.
Bible Verses to Read and Discuss:
Deuteronomy 4:1, 2 and Revelation 22:18, 19
- Why are these warnings about changing the law necessary, even right up to the end of the world?
Monday: Baal Peor
Numbers 25:1-15 describes a shameful episode in Israel’s history. By lusting after pagan women, they were drawn into idolatry. Moses chose to mention this incident in Deuteronomy 4:3, 4 in hopes of alerting them to similar challenges they would have as they entered Canaan.
Although we find it difficult to understand the deadly particulars of this story from an ancient culture, this was an example to them, and us, of how sinning with our bodies leads to spiritual sinning as well. Some prophets called their withdrawal from God harlotry–they were committing promiscuity/adultery against their Creator God. See Hosea 4:12-14.
Sin of any kind causes us to harden our conscience and sink further into a lifestyle that does not glorify God. Surely, this has always been the case, and we must be ever watchful of our associations and unwholesome tendencies. Do they bring us closer to God or farther away from Him?
Bible Verses to Read and Discuss:
Deuteronomy 4:3 and Hosea 4:12-14
- Why is sin compared to harlotry, or prostitution?
Tuesday: Cleave to the Lord Your God
Moses’ commended them for clinging to God (Deuteronomy 4:4). This same Hebrew word for cleaving to, or holding fast to God, is also used in Genesis 2:24, speaking about a man leaving his family and cleaving, or being joined, to his wife.
The relationship of God with His people was to be a very tight-knit one. As they surrendered to God, they would receive strength and guidance from Him. It was truly a giving relationship from beginning to end. They gave their all to their Creator, and He in return gave them all the blessings that would make them a great nation.
Making the choice to “cling to” God has always been to our benefit. He is able to keep us from falling (Jude 24). As we are faithful, so is God (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Bible Verses to Read and Discuss:
Deuteronomy 4:4 and Genesis 2:24
- In what way can our relationship with God be compared to the closeness between a husband and wife?
Jude 24 and 1 Corinthians 10:13
- What kind of help can God provide when we choose to serve Him?
Wednesday: For What Nation Is There So Great?
Deuteronomy 4:5-9 is considered the very heart of Moses’ message throughout the entire book. All his preaching boils down to what he shares with them in these verses. As they were about to settle in Canaan and establish themselves as a nation there, it was important to remember their special covenant status with God.
Israel would be special for two reasons:
- God dwelled with them through the sanctuary services. The tabernacle was designed to house God’s presence and bring them as close to Him as possible on this earth. Deuteronomy 4:7
- The statutes and laws of God, properly observed, would make their government and people outshine all those around it. Deuteronomy 4:8
As the Israelites worshiped the Creator of the universe, their pagan neighbors were worshiping rocks, animals, birds, and reptiles. The contrast was startling, to say the least. Their faithful obedience helped pave the way for the Messiah’s birth many generations later. The result was that “all the families of the earth” would be blessed, as God announced to Abraham several generations before (Genesis 12:3).
God had great plans for Abraham’s children. Those who are in Christ today are Abraham’s children and are chosen to represent Christ as best as they know how. We, too, can bless those around us by faithfully obeying His holy Law, with humility and love in our hearts. See Galatians 3:29 and Revelation 14:12.
Bible Verses to Read and Discuss:
Deuteronomy 4:5, 6
- What advantage would they have by obeying God’s law?
- What good is a law when it isn’t obeyed?
Deuteronomy 4:7
- How did they enjoy God’s presence in a way different from other nations?
Deuteronomy 4:8
- How was God’s law different from other nations?
Thursday: Your Wisdom and Your Understanding
Deuteronomy 4:6 was central to their future success. HAVING the law would not benefit them, but OBEYING the law would not only be a blessing, but would glorify God. Their wisdom and understanding would be noticed by the world. As Jesus Himself described it, they would be the salt of the earth, the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). As Jesus said, “that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
We are told in the Psalms not to forget all His benefits. Benefits, such as being forgiven, healed from diseases, redeemed from destruction, and crowned with lovingkindness and mercies (Psalm 103:2-4). Their obedience would lead to prosperity and health. They would be a marvel to the nations of the world.
It was wise for them to obey God’s law, but at the same time, their obedience would lead to more wisdom, more understanding about the character of God. Keeping the law was not an option. It was necessary for them to survive and prosper. God would be with them, so long as they surrendered to His will by keeping the law.
Bible Verses to Read and Discuss:
Deuteronomy 4:6
- What kind of wisdom and understanding comes from obeying the law?
Matthew 5:16
- Who was to benefit from them being the “light of the world”?
- How does our obedience to God’s law glorify God?
Friday: Final Thoughts
Having the Messiah born through their bloodline was perhaps Israel’s greatest blessing, and why God chose them as His special people. However, it was only as they properly kept God’s Law that they were blessed by God and were considered great by other nations.
This moral Law perfectly describes God’s character. By having God’s character thus inscribed on their hearts, they would be living demonstrations of God’s love. Their whole nation would be recognized as great, but most importantly, they would be great in God’s eyes, both corporately and individually.
So much depended on their faithfulness. But they were often disobedient and turned away from God, whether it was through idolatry or their own traditions that unnecessarily made the Law a burden.
Satan has done everything he can to divert our attention from the Law. In so doing, he diverts our attention from God. God is love (1 John 4:8), and the greatest commandment, according to Jesus, is to love (Matthew 22:37-40).
When we see the Law as anything other than an expression of love, we need to examine what we know about the Law. No doubt, God is still looking for people who reflect His love by keeping His Law.
Next Week: For Law and Grace
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