The Consequences of Neglected Warnings
October 24, 2019
Commentary
After a strong warning against idolatry (v.v. 15-20), Moses for the third time refers to the Lord’s refusal to let him cross the Jordan and enter Canaan (v. 21; Deut. 1:37; Deut. 3:26-27). Certainly, his repetition of the Lord’s prohibition points out his deep disappointment. Since the people were about to enter the land, Moses told them to be very careful not to forget the covenant they had made with the Lord not to worship idols in any form (vv. 22-24). If they, or their children, or their grandchildren, should ever forget these instructions he spells out the consequences of neglecting that warning (v.v. 25-31). He tells how certain judgment will come with their dispersion among the nations, and with a great loss of life (v. 27) and a giving over to idolatry (v. 28). This actually took place in 722 B.C. From that time until Mary 14, 1948, when the modern nation of Israel was recognized, the Jewish people were dispersed throughout the world and had no national homeland.
Even though a portion of the Jews are back in the land they are still in deep trouble and a witness of their disobedience. When God brings them back into that land at the beginning of the millennium, as he predicted, they won’t be having the trouble they are having today. This is a tremendous lesson for us to learn. We are called to be a separated people who are not conformed to this world (Rom. 12:1-2). However, the trend is for churches to pattern their ministry after what the world is doing.
Application
The warnings in the book of Deuteronomy were clear enough to help the Israelites, but they failed to heed them. A warning to me is not enough to make me obey. I must be living a separated life from worldly practices and take His warnings to heart.
Deuteronomy 4:21– 31 (NET)
21 But the Lord became angry with me because of you and vowed that I would never cross the Jordan nor enter the good land that he is about to give you. 22 So I must die here in this land; I will not cross the Jordan. But you are going over and will possess that good land. 23 Be on guard so that you do not forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he has made with you, and that you do not make an image of any kind, just as he has forbidden you. 24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire; he is a jealous God.
25 After you have produced children and grandchildren and have been in the land a long time, if you become corrupt and make an image of any kind and do other evil things before the Lord your God that enrage him, 26 I invoke heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that you will surely and swiftly be removed from the very land you are about to cross the Jordan to possess. You will not last long there because you will surely be annihilated. 27 Then the Lord will scatter you among the peoples and there will be very few of you among the nations where the Lord will drive you. 28 There you will worship gods made by human hands—wood and stone that can neither see, hear, eat, nor smell. 29 But if you seek the Lord your God from there, you will find him, if, indeed, you seek him with all your heart and soul. 30 In your distress when all these things happen to you in future days, if you return to the Lord your God and obey him 31 (for he is a merciful God), he will not let you down or destroy you, for he cannot forget the covenant with your ancestors that he confirmed by oath to them.