Chapter Deuteronomy 4:45 to Deuteronomy 5:33 The Major Covenant Requirements And The Giving of The Covenant.
After a brief introduction in which they are reminded of how Yahweh has delivered them from Egypt and given them victory over the Amorites (Deuteronomy 4:45-49), Moses calls on Israel to ensure that they take heed to the words of Yahweh (Deuteronomy 5:1), recognising that they are a covenant directly spoken by Yahweh to them (Deuteronomy 5:2-4) ‘out of the midst of the fire' (compare Deuteronomy 5:24; Deuteronomy 5:26). Then having reminded them of the awesome conditions under which they were given (Deuteronomy 5:4), he proceeds to spell out the detailed terms of the basic covenant (Deuteronomy 5:5-21), following it up with further reminders of the serious nature of it as revealed in the way in which it was given (Deuteronomy 5:22) and reminding them expecially how they had pleaded not to have to deal with Yahweh directly because of the dreadful nature of their experience (Deuteronomy 5:23-27). This is then capped by explaining Yahweh's response to their plea (Deuteronomy 5:28-33).
Introduction (Deuteronomy 4:45-49).
This initial introduction in Deuteronomy 4:45-49 may well indicate the beginning of a new tablet, providing an explanation of what is on it. It can be compared with Deuteronomy 1:1-5. It also sets the scene for what is to follow, reminding the reader that Israel were now in possession of the extensive lands of two Amorite kings which were their permanent possession.
The introduction may be analysed as follows:
· A declaration that Moses is about to present the testimonies and statutes and judgments (ordinances) which he spoke to the children of Israel ‘when they came out of Egypt' (Deuteronomy 4:45).
· That this was in Beyond Jordan (eastward) in the valley opposite Beth-peor, in the land of Sihon, king of the Amorites whom Moses and his people had smitten ‘when they came out of Egypt' (Deuteronomy 4:46).
· For they had taken his (Sihon's) land in possession together with the land of Og, king of Bashan, who were the two kings of the Amorites in Beyond Jordan Eastward (Deuteronomy 4:47).
· This land extended from Aroer on the edge of the valley of Arnon (the southern border, and northern border of Moab) even to Mount Hermon (in the north) including all the Arabah (the Jordan rift valley) in Beyond Jordan eastward, down to the sea of Arabah below the slopes of The Pisgah (the Dead Sea) (Deuteronomy 4:48).
‘ These are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which Moses spoke to the children of Israel, when they came forth out of Egypt, in Beyond Jordan, in the valley over against Beth-peor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon, whom Moses and the children of Israel smote, when they came forth out of Egypt.'
These words (Deuteronomy 4:44-49) may have been written by Joshua as an introduction to Moses' words from here to Deuteronomy 29:1, although Moses could easily have written them himself. They tell us that these Chapter s will give the instruction (torah) of Moses, the testimonies (declarations), statutes (written laws/fixed laws) and ordinances (judgments and covenant requirements) that he now expounds in the valley of Baal-peor. Note that the very Baal-peor that had been so disastrous to Israel (Numbers 25:1-5), was now to be a source of great blessing, a blessing which we can even participate in today by a study of this book. The incident of Baal-peor had been dealt with, punished, cleansed and removed, and Yahweh is beginning with them again.
The wider context is Israel's being delivered out of Egypt by Yahweh's power and their defeat of the two kings of the Amorites, Sihon and Og. It is against this background of His activity on their behalf that Yahweh claims their allegiance.
“These are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments.” Compare Deuteronomy 4:40; Deuteronomy 5:1; Deuteronomy 6:2; Deuteronomy 11:32; Deuteronomy 12:1; Deuteronomy 26:16; Deuteronomy 30:16. They are a continuation of the statutes and judgments that Moses has already been teaching them (Deuteronomy 4:14), specifically said to have been taught at the time of the first giving of the covenant. Compare also Deuteronomy 4:1; Deuteronomy 4:4-5; Deuteronomy 4:8.
‘ And they took his land in possession, and the land of Og king of Bashan, the two kings of the Amorites, who were in Beyond Jordan toward the sunrising, from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, even to mount Sion (the same is Hermon), and all the Arabah in Beyond Jordan eastward, even to the sea of the Arabah, under the slopes of the Pisgah.'
The significance of the taking of the land of the Amorites cannot be overemphasised. It was the Amorites who had driven their fathers out of Canaan (Deuteronomy 1:44), and now they themselves had put the Amorites to flight. And what was more they had taken possession of their land and possessions, and the large dimensions of that possession are clearly stated. They stretched from Mount Hermon in the north, to Aroer on the banks of the Arnon to the south, and included the Arabah, the Jordan rift valley on its eastern banks, from the sea of Chinnereth down to the Dead Sea (the Salt Sea) under the slopes of the Pisgah. Compare Deuteronomy 3:17. The previous reverse had been more than compensated for. All this land was east of Jordan.
The deliverance from Egypt together with the taking of these lands was to be seen as proof positive that soon Canaan would be theirs. Yahweh, the great Deliverer from Egypt and conqueror of the Amorite kings, was fighting for them in a holy war, a war which was to fulfil His judgment on the Canaanites/Amorites, and would establish a righteous theocracy in the land. But they had to notice the righteous bit!
We have a reminder here that often when we have faced a defeat in our lives, once we are restored God graciously causes us to face the same enemy again so that we might prove the victor.