D. Moses Charges Israel to Take the Land (4:1-40)

In ch. 4 Moses addresses all of Israel, now about to enter the land to take possession (vv.1-4). In contrast to the model of failure in ch. 1, Moses is urgent in his instructions to Israel about how to possess the land, to keep it, and to return to Yahweh when failure occurs.

The third point is notable, for it demonstrates the breadth of the “deuteronomistic theology” in Deuteronomy. It is far more than obedience = blessing; disobedience = cursing. More importantly it involves repentance upon failure and a new restoration to Yahweh, even in a strange land. This restoration is envisioned as a reality that will occur when the “heart religion” of this book is realized: when “you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul” (v.29). This verse anticipates the Shema (6:4-9) and indicates the motivation for keeping the decrees, laws, commandments, and stipulations of the covenant (cf. 5:29).

The character of God is ultimately the foundation of the covenant; he determines the true deuteronomistic theology (v.31). He is merciful, he is faithful to his covenant, and he will not abandon or destroy his people. He will not forget his covenant when they break the covenant, if they will turn and seek him (v.29). He will never break his covenantal oath (v.31). These verses emphasize that Israel forgets but Yahweh does not; his people abandon him, but he does not forsake them. He is merciful, and they should be. They should imitate him. The remaining theological basis that Moses presents for Israel’s future success can be noted only summarily as follows:

1. Israel’s covenant faith must result in the keeping/doing of the commands that God is giving them (vv.1-4, 6, 12-14). The concrete life of faith for Israel finds adequate expression only in their careful observance of the Torah. By obedience their ethical-religious calling is fulfilled. Israel’s Torah was unique; its source was Yahweh (vv.6-8).

2. Upon entering the land, Israel must be careful to reject idolatry and all false gods. The basis for Israel’s faith was laid in the “Ten Words” all Israel heard at Horeb (4:12; 5:4, 22-27). Vv.15-26, 35-36, and 39-40 deal solemnly with the threat that idolatry poses for Israel when they enter Canaan. Loving Yahweh, the supreme goal of the covenant, is not possible if idolatry interferes; therefore the first two commandments must be carefully followed. The polytheism of Canaan and the idolatry of those nations could pose an insurmountable obstacle to Israel’s fulfillment of her covenant with Yahweh.

3. Israel must remember her unique creation by Yahweh (vv.32-34). Israel was literally created out of nothing (a clear parallel to original creation in Ge 1) and taken from Egypt to be God’s own people. Yahweh’s past deeds and words proved that there is no God but Yahweh. Thus, Israel, out of a heart of gratitude, should follow the requirement named in the first commandment (vv.35-36, 39-40).

4. Israel must remember the true purposes and motivation of Yahweh and not distort his character and goals (vv.37-40; cf. 1:27-28) as they did earlier.