Chapter Summary

The new generations taught the lessons of Sinai. Cities of refuge designated.

Discussion Questions for Deuteronomy, Chapter 4

1. Deuteronomy 4:2, “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.” (ESV) How have you seen people adding or taking away from Scripture today? How does Scripture guide us in handling this? How can you encourage one another to stand true in God’s Word even when it’s hard or when others oppose you?
2. Deuteronomy 4:6, “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.’” (ESV) Keeping The Lord’s commands and statutes were equated with being seen as a great and wise nation. How does this shape the way you view God’s commands? What would be the inward and outward result in your life of clinging to God’s commands?
3. Deuteronomy 4:7-8, “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? [8] And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?” (ESV) How did The Lord stand out among the gods and idols that other nations worshipped in that day? How do his statutes contrast with those of other nations?
4. Deuteronomy 4:9, “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children.” (ESV) What does it mean for one to keep their soul diligently? What helps you recall and remember The Lord’s statues?
5. What does it mean to fear The Lord? How have your views and understanding of this changed throughout your life? What has influenced gaining a better understanding?
6. Deuteronomy 4:19, “And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven.” (ESV) Why are the people receiving this warning? What does it mean that God allowed the sun, moon, and stars to all the people under the heavens? How does knowing this impact the way view and steward God’s creation?
7. Deuteronomy 4:24, “For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” (ESV) What comes to mind when you typically think of the word jealous? How do you think it is being used in the context of this verse? How does God’s jealousy contrast with the types of jealousy we usually see?
8. Deuteronomy 4:33, “Did any people ever hear the voice of a god speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and still live?” (ESV) What was the typical outcome of man being directly in God’s presence? How would the sudden shift of God appearing to Moses stand out to the world?
9. Deuteronomy 4:36, “Out of heaven he let you hear his voice, that he might discipline you. And on earth he let you see his great fire, and you heard his words out of the midst of the fire.” (ESV) How do you see the discipline of The Lord play out in Scripture? How can God’s people see His mercy in His discipline?
10. Deuteronomy 4:42, “That the manslayer might flee there, anyone who kills his neighbor unintentionally, without being at enmity with him in time past; he may flee to one of these cities and save his life.” (ESV) What does this verse tell us about God’s heart for just judgement? How does it reveal God’s intentional protection over His people? How do you think this verse went on to influence laws we see throughout history, including some laws we see today?

Key Words/Phrase

Keep (Obedience), v. 2.

Characters

God, Moses.

Strong Verse(s)

2, 6, 9, 23, 24, 39.