Deuteronomy 4

Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is One Lord. He is the only God (Deuteronomy 4:39). Know therefore this day, and consider it in your heart, that the Lord he is God in Heaven above, and upon the Earth beneath there is none else.

Use 2. If God be a Spirit, then it shows the folly of the Papists, who worship him by pictures and images. Being a Spirit, we cannot make any image to represent him by (Deuteronomy 4:12). The Lord spoke to you out of the midst of the fire, you heard the voice of the words, but s…

By Egypt is meant a place of idolatry and superstition, by the House of Bondage is meant a place of affliction. Israel while they were in Egypt were under great tyranny, they had cruel task-masters set over them, who put them to hard labor, and set them to make brick, yet allowe…

Resp. That is, before my face, In conspectu meo, in my sight (Deuteronomy 27:15). Cursed be he that makes a graven image, and puts it in a secret place. Some would not bow to the idol that others might see, but they would secretly bow to it: but though this was out of man's sigh…

2. Nor the likeness of any thing, etc. All ideas, portraits, shapes, images of God, whether by effigies or pictures, are here forbidden (Deuteronomy 4:15). Take heed lest you corrupt yourselves, and make the similitude of any figure.

It is an honor to be employed in a king's service: and so to be employed in God's, by whom kings reign. To walk in God's commandments proclaims us to be wise (Deuteronomy 4:5-6). Behold I have taught you statutes: keep, therefore, and do them, for this is your wisdom.

Wherein do they teach lies? Because they represent God in a bodily shape, whereas he cannot be seen (Deuteronomy 4:12). You saw no similitude, only you heard a voice.

Response 1. If God be our Father then he will teach us; what Father will refuse to counsel his son? Does God command parents to instruct their children (Deuteronomy 4:10), and will not he instruct his? (Isaiah 48:17) I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit.

5. To excite our diligence, let us consider how inexcusable we shall be if we miss of the kingdom of Heaven, who have had such helps for Heaven as we have had: Indians who have mines of gold, have not such advantages for glory as we; they have the light of the sun, moon and star…

Let us be doers of the will of God; Your Will be done. 1. It is our wisdom to do God's will (Deuteronomy 4:6): Keep and do these statutes, for this is your wisdom. 2. It is our safety.

(2 Thessalonians 1:6) It is a righteous thing with God, to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you. (Hebrews 12:29) For our God is a consuming fire, from (Deuteronomy 4:24). Fifthly, that God has also engaged his veracity and faithfulness in the sanction of the law not t…

Qu. 12. What is principally to be attended to by us in the manner of the celebration of the worship of God, and observation of the institutions and ordinances of the Gospel? Answ. That we observe and do all whatever the Lord Christ has commanded us to observe, in the way that he…

And the comeliness and beauty of Gospel worship, consisteth in its relation to God by Jesus Christ, as the merciful high-Priest over his house, with the glorious administration of the spirit therein. The order also of it lies in the due and regular observation of all that Christ…

(4) Exodus 29:42, 43, 45; Deuteronomy 14:23; Psalm 133:3; Matthew 18:20; Revelation 21:3. (5) Exodus 20:5; Deuteronomy 4:23, 24; Joshua 24:19; Ezekiel 16. (6) Leviticus 10:1, 2; Numbers 16:3, 8, 9, 32, 35; 1 Samuel 2:28, 29; 2 Samuel 6:6, 7; 2 Chronicles 26:16, 19; 1 Corinthians…

Qu. 3. How then are these ways and means of the worship of God made known to us? Answ. In and by the written word only; which contains a full and perfect revelation of the will of God; as to his whole worship, and all the concernments of it: John 5:39, Isaiah 8:20, Luke 16:19, 2…

Q. How many Gods are there? A. No more but one (Deuteronomy 4:39 & 6:4; Isaiah 44:6, 8 & 45:5, 18; 1 Corinthians 8:4, 6; Ephesians 4:6). Q. Why may there not be more Gods than one?

In most other places the work which he then accomplished is ascribed to the lifting up, or stretching out of his hand (Ezekiel 20:6). See the description of it (Deuteronomy 4:34; chapter 26:8). It was towards their enemies a work of mighty power, of the lifting up of his hand; b…

And what is this indignation of it? God himself is in the Scripture said to be a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; chapter 9:3; Isaiah 33:14; Hebrews 10:29). What is intended thereby is declared in a word (Deuteronomy 4:24).

But principally it regards his mission by Christ after his ascension into Heaven (Acts 2:33): Being exalted and having received the promise of the Father, he sent the Spirit. The promise of him was, that he should be sent from Heaven, or from above, as God is said to be above, w…

Which point the Creed avouches, in saying, I believe in God, not gods: and yet more plainly the Nicene Creed and the Creed of Athanasius, both of them explaining the words of the apostles' Creed on this manner, I believe in one God. However some in former times have erroneously…

4. That the same God is maker of all things, without himself. And to these four notions or principles, are suited the four precepts of the first Table: in the first, we have God's unity; in the second, God's invisible nature, and therefore images are forbidden upon that ground (…

The first forbids the making of carved or graven images; the second forbids the adoration of them. Now the first part is notably expounded by Moses in Deuteronomy 4:16: Take good heed unto yourselves that you corrupt not yourselves and make you a graven image or representation o…

Testimony 1. Deuteronomy 4:2: You shall not add to the words that I command you, nor take anything therefrom. Therefore the written word is sufficient for all doctrines pertaining to salvation.

But it must be understood of the images of the true God Jehovah — it forbids us to resemble God, either in his nature, properties, or works, or to use any resemblance of him for any sacred use, as to help the memory when we are about to worship God. Thus much the Holy Ghost, who…

1. Because it is usual with God when men love their sins, and hate to be reformed, he gives them up judicially to their sins, that their sins may be their plagues. Hence it is threatened as a punishment of idolatry (Deuteronomy 4:25, 28), because they have corrupted themselves w…

The Scripture exhorts to do things that intend this knowledge. In (Deuteronomy 4:1) and (Deuteronomy 6) the Israelites were exhorted to hear and know the statutes of the Lord, that they might do them; to speak of God's word and works, which acts their knowledge, puts them in rem…

Further, they are great things, because they make all those great that do receive them; they make them great even because they have but the keeping of them, much more than if they receive them. In (Deuteronomy 4:8): What nation is there so great, that has statutes and judgments…

They were afraid of the breach of the Commandment soon after it was given; but when there was a distance of time from the Commandment, and when they were settled in a way of prosperity, then they ventured: so that (I say) from hence our note is, That we must take heed that the d…

From this circumstance the Jews, perverting Scripture, assert that God granted the sun and moon to the gentiles for worship. They gather this from the words of Moses (Deuteronomy 4:19): "Lest perhaps you lift up your eyes to heaven, and see the sun, and the moon, and the stars,…

The occasions of the origin of idolatry — The report of the dominion of the sun and moon — In what sense the sun and moon are the two great lights — The monstrous fiction of Jonathan the Targumist — Delegated dominion as a corrupt basis for worship — The vain reasonings of idola…

What was expected of them in return was that they would faithfully observe that common equity and goodness which is congruous with human nature, together with ancient customs and the principles of reason and utility upon which the people relied in forming themselves into a body.…

Whatever idolaters falsely imagine, their gods are wood and nothing more. Also by a term meaning "gods of stone," that is, stone gods: Deuteronomy 4:28, "You will serve gods of stone." Also by a term meaning "gods of silver," that is, silver gods; and by a term meaning "gods of…

Theology as a complex of spiritual gifts — Extraordinary or ordinary gifts — Ordinary gifts peculiar to the ministry or common to all — Christ the bestower of all gifts (Psalm 68:19; Acts 2:33; Ephesians 4:8) — The Hebrew word signifies both to receive and to give — Christ the a…

The whole Law is divided by the Lord himself into two Tables. The first, does contain those duties which we owe directly in his service (Deuteronomy 4:13 and Exodus 34:1-2). The second, which we owe to our brethren (Matthew 22:36; Romans 13:8-9).

Now follows those means which he has given us, and they are attributed to the Lord himself directly, as his titles, to be used, either simply (Romans 9:5; 1 Timothy 1:17), in an oath (Deuteronomy 6:13; Jeremiah 12:26; Isaiah 18), or his works, given of him by man his ministry: h…

The use or end of all the work of the Lord towards him, to preach and set forth the power and glory of the eternal kingdom of God (Psalm 145:11-12). To us, that we and our posterity may better know, trust, love, and fear the Lord (Psalm 78:7; Deuteronomy 4:9). But contrariwise,…

So is it here in this matter of Christ's intercession; and therefore this second direction is, that you would study clearness in the grounds that you are to go upon in the use-making of his intercession, but you would not be curious in seeking satisfaction about the how or manne…

But then the question is, whether these means be the preaching of the Gospel, or of the same God revealed as Creator, by the Sun, Moon, and Stars, who is revealed in the Gospel, and salvation by him. Now the Sun, and Stars, and heaven declare the glory of God, and sound forth hi…

1. Observe, that there was a voice distinctly, and audibly, heard. Though God did sensibly now manifest his presence in the Mount with Christ, and did audibly speak to them, yet he did not appear in any distinct form, and shape either of man, or any other living creature, but al…

Or secondary, when the images themselves are not worshipped, as having any Godhead properly in themselves, but as they relate to represent, or are made use of in the worship of him who is accounted God; we shall find this done by the wiser heathens, worshipping their images, not…

And Paul bids Timothy, avoid them that teach otherwise, that is, any different doctrine as necessary to salvation, beside that which he taught (1 Timothy 6:3). And the reason of this sin, is: because God has given this commandment, We may not depart from his word, to the right h…

He knew them above all nations, says Amos (Amos 3:1). And he chose them, because he loved their fathers (Deuteronomy 4:37). Hence we gather, the free election of God: and that they are deceived, who think, that there was no difference of Jews and Gentiles in respect of God, but…

The second kind of Idolatrie, is to worship the true God with deuised worship, as namely with, in, and at Images, set vp to the honor of God. This Idolatrie is forbidden in the second commaundement, as Moses has expounded the law, Deut 4:16. You sawest no image in the day I appe…

So then it is justice with God to deal with sinners as they deal with him. And therefore the Lord is called (in respect of them) a devouring fire, by Moses (Deuteronomy 4:24). For the Prophets (as has been often said) borrow their phrases from him: and the Apostle (Hebrews 12:26…

But the holy Scripture is full of such sentences. Moses warns the people who were inclined to this vice, You saw no similitude nor shape (says he) in the mountain, only you heard a voice, take heed therefore lest being corrupted, you should make you any graven image (Deuteronomy…

Saint Paul calls it a secret hidden (Ephesians 3:9) from the foundations of the world, and is yet unknown to the very angels (1 Peter 1:12) further forth than it is manifested to them by the Church (Ephesians 3:10). Thus then, although the Jews were once the only wise people und…

And therefore the Prophet expressly says, My people: because they were separate from other nations by a singular privilege; to the end they being kept and guided under God, might hold a right manner of good life. As it is said in Deuteronomy 4:7, What nation is so great that has…

He comes by the preaching of his word, and by the sundry benefits which he bestows upon us: as also, by the many testimonies which he uses to manifest the fatherly love and good will he bears us. Was there ever any people, says Moses, that saw such signs and wonders as you have…

In his love he redeemed them.] The Prophet shows what the cause is from which these great benefits proceeded: namely, God's love and good pleasure. As Moses also teaches (Deuteronomy 4:37 and 7:7-8): From where is it that God has gathered your fathers, says he, but because he lo…

It deserves our attention, that the voice of God was heard from the cloud, but that neither a body nor a face was seen. Let us therefore remember the warning which Moses gives us, that God has no visible shape, lest we should deceive ourselves by imagining that He resembled a ma…