A Basic Contrast

As Moses urged Israel to obedience, he predicted a time would come when Israel would forget the God Who delivered them. That time would come when future generations (1) had been in Canaan a long time and (2) began to worship idols again as their ancestors had in Egypt (Deuteronomy 4:25).

Moses asked heaven and earth to serve as witnesses regarding His prophesy. When that time came, Israel would not continue living in Canaan as though everything was okay and nothing had happened. Destruction would consume ancient Israel because they provoked God to anger (Deuteronomy 4:26). As a result of their insult to God, Israel would be scattered among the nations. In those nations, they would be forced to serve other gods. These gods would be represented by idols made by men. These idols would be human art work made from stone or wood that could neither hear, eat, nor smell (Deuteronomy 4:28).

Moses noted the enormous contrast between the living God that brought them out of Egypt and idolatry. Moses' contrast likely meant much more to them than it does to us because Moses dealt with ancient Israel's "now" which in no way is our "now". This contrast between God and idols would be quite visible to Israel when they served other gods in other nations.

The contrast would be so stark that ancient Israel's scattered future generations would seek the God they abused and deserted. They would search for the God they left with all their heart and soul. Inwardly, they would yearn for the God they left. They would want to return to Him and obey Him. They would know two things. (1) The God they deserted was a compassionate God [the idols they had to serve were not compassionate]. (2) He was dependable rather than fickle (Deuteronomy 4:30. 31).

Moses called upon their personal experiences to verify the contrast between their living God and idols. Had they ever heard of any god who did what God did for them? Had they ever heard of a god who spoke from the midst of a fire [Sinai] and the people survived? [In that time, hearing the voice of a god was associated with death and disaster.] Had any other god posessed such power that he or she could form a nation from within a nation? [Had slaves ever before been collected into a nation by the actions of a god?]

All these things happened in order for Israel to know that God was truly unique among all that was worshipped. They were able to hear Him in order to allow Him to discipline them. [If they were to be God's people, some attitudes, emotions, and behavior definitely needed to change!] They existed as a nation because of God's love for their early forefathers. He made them a nation and would give them a land in order to win their hearts. Because Israel's hearts belonged to God, they would obey Him. Obeying Him would produce their blessings (Deuteronomy 4:35-40).

Of all the lessons we need to learn from this contrast between the living God and idols produced by human superstitions, these two are core. (1) The living God who created [and creates] is distinct. (2) The living God who created [and creates] seeks obedience from men and women who seek Him with all their hearts and souls.

God does not seek the opportunity to control, but the opportunity to bless. Obedient control comes from the person's heart and soul, not an intimidataton before God's power.

No one has ever had as much reason to follow God as do we. Christians exist to be His new creation--a creation that reflects God's intent in the first creation.