You are to follow the LORD your God and fear Him. Keep His commandments and listen to His voice; serve Him and hold fast to Him. You are to follow the LORD your GodThis phrase emphasizes the exclusive devotion required of the Israelites to Yahweh, the covenant God. In the context of Deuteronomy, Moses is reiterating the importance of loyalty to God as the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land. The command to "follow" implies a journey or path, suggesting that faithfulness to God is an ongoing process. This echoes the call to discipleship found in the New Testament, where Jesus invites His followers to "take up their cross and follow Me" ( Matthew 16:24). and fear Him.
The fear of the LORD is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, signifying reverence, awe, and respect for God's holiness and power. This fear is not about terror but about recognizing God's authority and majesty. Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom," indicating that a proper understanding of God leads to wise living. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, fearing God was foundational to maintaining the covenant relationship. Keep His commandments
Obedience to God's commandments is central to the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The commandments, including the Ten Commandments, were given to guide the Israelites in living a life that reflects God's character. This call to obedience is mirrored in the New Testament, where Jesus says, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15). The commandments serve as a moral compass and a means to demonstrate love for God. and listen to His voice;
Listening to God's voice implies an active engagement with His word and a readiness to respond. In the historical context, God spoke through prophets, leaders like Moses, and through the Law. Today, Christians believe God speaks through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and the teachings of Jesus. The importance of listening is underscored in James 1:22, which urges believers to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only." serve Him
Service to God involves worship, obedience, and dedication. In the ancient Near Eastern context, serving a deity was a common practice, but for Israel, it was unique because it involved a personal relationship with a living God. This service is not just ritualistic but encompasses all aspects of life. Jesus exemplified this service, stating, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve" (Matthew 20:28). and hold fast to Him.
Holding fast to God suggests a deep, unwavering commitment and trust. This phrase conveys the idea of clinging to God in faith, especially in times of trial or temptation. It reflects the covenant loyalty expected of Israel and is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to "hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering" (Hebrews 10:23). This steadfastness is a mark of true faith and devotion. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and commandments to the Israelites. 2. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, receiving instructions on how to live faithfully in the Promised Land. 3. The LORD (Yahweh)The one true God whom the Israelites are commanded to follow, fear, and serve. 4. Promised LandThe land of Canaan, where the Israelites are to live according to God's laws. 5. False ProphetsIndividuals who may lead the Israelites astray, prompting the need for this commandment. Teaching Points Walking with GodTo "walk after the LORD" means to live a life that reflects His character and teachings. This involves daily decisions to align our actions with His will. Fear of the LORDThis is a reverential awe and respect for God's authority and holiness. It is foundational for wisdom and obedience. Obedience to CommandmentsKeeping God's commandments is a demonstration of our love and commitment to Him. It requires knowing His Word and applying it to our lives. Listening to God's VoiceWe must be attentive to God's guidance through Scripture, prayer, and the Holy Spirit, ensuring we are not led astray by false teachings. Serving and Holding FastOur service to God should be wholehearted and unwavering, reflecting a deep commitment to His purposes and promises. Bible Study Questions 1. How can we practically "walk after the LORD" in our daily lives, and what challenges might we face in doing so? 2. In what ways can we cultivate a healthy fear of the LORD, and how does this impact our relationship with Him? 3. What are some specific commandments of God that we find challenging to keep, and how can we seek His help in obeying them? 4. How can we discern God's voice amidst the many voices and influences in our world today? 5. What does it mean to "hold fast" to God, and how can we encourage one another to remain steadfast in our faith? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:3-6The first and second commandments emphasize the exclusive worship of God, aligning with the call to "walk after the LORD your God." Joshua 22:5Joshua reiterates the importance of loving and serving God wholeheartedly, similar to the instructions in Deuteronomy 13:4. John 14:15Jesus speaks about the connection between love and obedience to His commandments, echoing the call to keep God's commandments. 1 Samuel 12:24Samuel advises the Israelites to fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully, reinforcing the themes of reverence and service. Matthew 22:37-38Jesus summarizes the greatest commandment as loving God with all one's heart, soul, and mind, which aligns with holding fast to God. People MosesPlaces Beth-baal-peor, EgyptTopics Cleave, Cling, Commandments, Commands, Fast, Fear, Fearing, Follow, Hearing, Hearken, Hold, Keeping, Listen, Obey, Orders, Revere, Serve, Voice, Walk, WorshippingDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 13:4 7021 church, OT anticipations
8138 monotheism
8208 commitment, to God
8336 reverence, and obedience
8632 adoration Deuteronomy 13:1-5 7774 prophets, false Deuteronomy 13:1-9 8771 idolatry, objections Deuteronomy 13:1-11 8706 apostasy, warnings Deuteronomy 13:3-4 8832 testing Library Fifthly, as this Revelation, to the Judgment of Right and Sober Reason,
appears of itself highly credible and probable, and abundantly recommends itself in its native simplicity, merely by its own intrinsic goodness and excellency, to the practice of the most rational and considering men, who are desirous in all their actions to have satisfaction and comfort and good hope within themselves, from the conscience of what they do: So it is moreover positively and directly proved to be actually and immediately sent to us from God, by the many infallible signs and miracles …
Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of GodKnox's Writings from Abroad: Beginning of the Scottish Revolution, 1556-1558
Knox was about this time summoned to be one of the preachers to the English at Geneva. He sent in advance Mrs. Bowes and his wife, visited Argyll and Glenorchy (now Breadalbane), wrote (July 7) an epistle bidding the brethren be diligent in reading and discussing the Bible, and went abroad. His effigy was presently burned by the clergy, as he had not appeared in answer to a second summons, and he was outlawed in absence. It is not apparent that Knox took any part in the English translation of the …
Andrew Lang—John Knox and the Reformation With, Before, After
'Enoch walked with God,'--GENESIS v. 22. 'Walk before Me.'--GENESIS xvii. 1. 'Ye shall walk after the Lord your God.'--DEUTERONOMY xiii. 4. You will have anticipated, I suppose, my purpose in doing what I very seldom do--cutting little snippets out of different verses and putting them together. You see that these three fragments, in their resemblances and in their differences, are equally significant and instructive. They concur in regarding life as a walk--a metaphor which expresses continuity, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Feeding of the Four Thousand - to Dalmanutha - the Sign from Heaven' - Journey to Cæsarea Philippi - what is the Leaven of The
THEY might well gather to Jesus in their thousands, with their wants of body and soul, these sheep wandering without a shepherd; for His Ministry in that district, as formerly in Galilee, was about to draw to a close. And here it is remarkable, that each time His prolonged stay and Ministry in a district were brought to a close with some supper, so to speak, some festive entertainment on his part. The Galilean Ministry had closed with the feeding of the five thousand, the guests being mostly from …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Text: Colossians 3, 12-17. 12 Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; 13 forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye: 14 and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the Word …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters Purely Religious, and Pertaining to the Conscience.
Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters purely Religious, and pertaining to the Conscience. Since God hath assumed to himself the power and Dominion of the Conscience, who alone can rightly instruct and govern it, therefore it is not lawful [1226] for any whosoever, by virtue of any authority or principality they bear in the government of this world, to force the consciences of others; and therefore all killing, banishing, fining, imprisoning, and other such things which are inflicted …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
THE FALL OF NINEVEH AND THE RISE OF THE CHALDAEAN AND MEDIAN EMPIRES--THE XXVIth EGYPTIAN DYNASTY: CYAXARES, ALYATTES, AND NEBUCHADREZZAR. The legendary history of the kings of Media and the first contact of the Medes with the Assyrians: the alleged Iranian migrations of the Avesta--Media-proper, its fauna and flora; Phraortes and the beginning of the Median empire--Persia proper and the Persians; conquest of Persia by the Medes--The last monuments of Assur-bani-pal: the library of Kouyunjik--Phraortes …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 Jewish Homes
It may be safely asserted, that the grand distinction, which divided all mankind into Jews and Gentiles, was not only religious, but also social. However near the cities of the heathen to those of Israel, however frequent and close the intercourse between the two parties, no one could have entered a Jewish town or village without feeling, so to speak, in quite another world. The aspect of the streets, the building and arrangement of the houses, the municipal and religious rule, the manners and customs …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Deuteronomy 13:4 NIVDeuteronomy 13:4 NLTDeuteronomy 13:4 ESVDeuteronomy 13:4 NASBDeuteronomy 13:4 KJV
Deuteronomy 13:4 Commentaries
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