http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 1 Answers to Questions on Deuteronomy 4:1-49 1. Why was it important for Israel to pay close attention to the commands of God? (4:1) By paying attention to and following God s laws, the Israelites had God s assurance that they would enjoy long and prosperous lives in their new land. 2. What was the single most important principle about God s word that Israel must remember? (4:2) They were to obey the commandments of God just as He had stated them without alterations or changes.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 2 3. How did the incident at Baal-peor reinforce this principle? (4:3, 4) At Baal-peor the Israelites began to intermingle with the Moabites to the extent they worshiped the Moabite gods. As punishment for their sin, God killed 24,000 Israelites. God had commanded them not to bow down and worship the gods of the people they were displacing. 4. What would happen to Israel if they obeyed God s commands? (4:5-8) Obeying God s commands would place the Israelites in high esteem in the eyes of their neighboring nations and show the wisdom of the Israelites in following Him. Our obedience glorifies God. 5. What are the two aspects of Moses exhortation for Israel to remember God s law? (4:9-10) They were to follow the commands of God and to teach the children and grandchildren to also obey them. They were also to remember that they had received the law directly from God at Mt. Horeb.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 3 6. When God spoke to Israel from the mountain, what did they see and hear? (4:11-12) They saw the cloud of smoke and the fire and heard the voice of God. 7. Why did God not show His form to Israel at Horeb? (4:15-20) This was done to keep the Israelites from attempting to fashion an idol in the image of God. Worshiping an idol was forbidden by God. Therefore, we do not worship God in form, but in spirit. 8. Why did Moses tell Israel about his sin and the consequences he suffered because of it? (4:21-24) Moses claimed that his sin was a reaction to the Israelites complaining at Meribah. Because his sin angered God, he was not allowed to enter the Promised Land.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 4 9. What would happen to Israel if they were to fall into idolatry? (4:25-31) Disobedience in the future will result in the destruction of the Israelites. They will be destroyed (conquered) and scattered among nations. God still gives them hope with the promise that if and when they return to God, He will remember his covenant with their fathers and rescue them. 10. How did Moses demonstrate to Israel that the Lord was unique as a god? (4:32-40) Moses reminds the Israelites of all the ways God had proven his uniqueness to them, how he personally delivered them from bondage in Egypt and how he sustained them and conquered mighty nations for them. All these things and more illustrated that there is no other god comparable to God and He alone is worthy of worship and obedience.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 5 11. What was the purpose of the cities of refuge that Moses designated for the territory on the east side of the Jordan? (4:41-43) The cities of refuge provided sanctuary for a person who had accidentally caused the death of another person. They protected him until a trial could be held and he was safe from revenge by the deceased family. 12. What recent military victories are mentioned at the end of chapter 4? (4:44-49) The victories over Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan.