Deuteronomy 4:15-19

Idolatry Forbidden

15 You saw no form of any kind the day the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire. Therefore watch yourselves very carefully,
16 so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman,
17 or like any animal on earth or any bird that flies in the air,
18 or like any creature that moves along the ground or any fish in the waters below.
19 And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.

Deuteronomy 4:15-19 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 4

This chapter contains an exhortation to Israel to keep the commands, statutes, and judgments of God, urged from the superior excellency of them to those of all other nations, De 4:1-8, from the manner in which they were delivered, out of the midst of fire, by a voice of words, but no similitude seen, De 4:9-15, and particularly the Israelites are cautioned against idolatry, from the consideration of the goodness of God to them, in bringing them out of Egypt, De 4:16-20, and the rather Moses is urgent upon them to be diligent in their obedience to the laws of God, because he should quickly be removed from them, De 4:21-24, and should they be disobedient to them, it would provoke the Lord to destroy them, or to carry them captive into other lands, De 4:25-28 though even then, if they repented and sought the Lord, and became obedient, he would be merciful to them, and not forsake them, De 4:29-31 and they are put in mind again of the amazing things God had done for them, in speaking to them out of fire, and they alive; in bringing them out of another nation, and driving out other nations to make room for them; all which he improves, as so many arguments to move them to obedience to the divine commands, De 4:32-40 and then notice is taken of the three cities of refuge, separated on this side Jordan, De 4:41-43, and the chapter is concluded with observing, that this is the law, and these the testimonies, Moses declared and repeated to the children of Israel in the country of Sihon and Og, who were delivered into their hands, and their lands possessed by them, which laid them under fresh obligations to yield obedience to God, De 4:44-49.

Cross References 11

  • 1. Isaiah 40:18; Isaiah 41:22-24
  • 2. S Exodus 3:1
  • 3. Joshua 23:11; Malachi 2:15
  • 4. S Genesis 6:11-12; Deuteronomy 9:12; Deuteronomy 31:29; Deuteronomy 32:5; Judges 2:19
  • 5. Exodus 20:4-5; Exodus 32:7; Deuteronomy 5:8; Romans 1:23
  • 6. Romans 1:23
  • 7. Deuteronomy 17:3; 2 Kings 23:11; Job 31:26; Jeremiah 8:2; Jeremiah 43:13; Ezekiel 8:16
  • 8. S Genesis 1:16
  • 9. S Genesis 2:1; S Genesis 37:9; 2 Kings 17:16; 2 Kings 21:3; Romans 1:25
  • 10. Deuteronomy 13:5
  • 11. S Numbers 25:3
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