41 "Now , O Israel , listen to the statutes and the judgments which I am teaching you to perform , so that you may live and go in and take possession of the land which the Lord , the God of your fathers , is giving you. 2 " You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. 3 " Your eyes have seen what e the Lord has done in the case of Baal-peor , for all the men who followed e Baal-peor , the Lord your God has destroyed them from among you. 4 "But you who held fast to the Lord your God are alive today , every one of you. 5 "See , I have taught you statutes and judgments just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do thus in the land where e you are entering to possess it. 6 "So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say , 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people .' 7 "For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the Lord our God whenever we call on Him? 8 "Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today ?
9 "Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently , so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life ; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 4:1-9
Commentary on Deuteronomy 4:1-23
(Read Deuteronomy 4:1-23)
The power and love of God to Israel are here made the ground and reason of a number of cautions and serious warnings; and although there is much reference to their national covenant, yet all may be applied to those who live under the gospel. What are laws made for but to be observed and obeyed? Our obedience as individuals cannot merit salvation; but it is the only evidence that we are partakers of the gift of God, which is eternal life through Jesus Christ, Considering how many temptations we are compassed with, and what corrupt desires we have in our bosoms, we have great need to keep our hearts with all diligence. Those cannot walk aright, who walk carelessly. Moses charges particularly to take heed of the sin of idolatry. He shows how weak the temptation would be to those who thought aright; for these pretended gods, the sun, moon, and stars, were only blessings which the Lord their God had imparted to all nations. It is absurd to worship them; shall we serve those that were made to serve us? Take heed lest ye forget the covenant of the Lord your God. We must take heed lest at any time we forget our religion. Care, caution, and watchfulness, are helps against a bad memory.