Deuteronomy 4:32-40 • The Unfailing Goodness of God

Review & Overview

1. The Introduction & Title

Deuteronomy, is known as Moses’ “Upper Desert Discourse,” which consists of a series of farewell messages.

Moses is 120 years old as he addresses the new generation, those who survived the forty years of wilderness wandering, those who are destined to possess the Land of Promise.

Moses reminds this new generation to learn from the sad example of their parents and obey God.

2. The Theme & Purpose

“Beware lest you forget” is a key theme in Deuteronomy.

Moses emphasizes the danger of forgetfulness because it leads to arrogance and disobedience. They must remember two things:

(1) when they prosper, it is God who has caused it, and

(2) If and when they disobey God, He will discipline them as He did when the previous generation failed to believe Him.

Deuteronomy is a call to obedience as a condition to blessing.

So what we have here is a contract between God and His people.

Israel is a vassal to God, where Israel is required to be loyal and obey God's laws, worship Him alone, and live according to the terms of the covenant or contract.

In return, God promises protection, blessing, and guidance.

3. The Outline

1. Moses’ First Discourse: The History of Israel Ch. 1:1-4:43

Here Moses recounts the history of Israel, especially God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt and their journey through the wilderness.

2. Moses’ Second Discourse: The Stipulations for Israel Ch. 4:44-26

All the laws and commandments are reiterated and clarified by God to Israel

3. Moses’s Third Discourse: The Future of Israel Ch. 27-34

In this section we have a detailed account of all the the blessings and curses that would follow Israel's obedience or disobedience to the covenant.

4. Previous Study’s Review

Deuteronomy 4:15-31 • Breaking Idols, Finding Mercy

1. The Warning Against Idolatry Vs. 15-20

Keep putting God First

2. The Jealousy Over Idolatry Vs. 21-24

You belong to God

3. The Mercy Despite Idolatry Vs. 25-31

God is so Merciful; Define Mercy.

5. Current Study’s Overview

That brings us to Ch. 4:32 and our portion of today’s scripture. Where we will continue to hear from Moses as he is finishing up his first message his first discourse. Read…

The Title of Today’s Message is:

Because as you saw in our quick reading of today’s scripture....

If you are taking notes we want to look at…

1. The Lord's Grace in Every Place Vs. 32-40

The Lord is Good: He revealed Himself to the Children of Israel… He delivered them from Egypt…

He conquered their enemies… the Goodness of the Lord is clearly seen…

Notice why the Lord is so Good, in vs.37 its because of His LOVE… not their faithfulness or goodness

1 John 4:8 NKJV

8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

Why is the Lord so good to us… well because we are so wonderful!! haha nope!

Romans 5:8 NKJV

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 John 4:10 NKJV

10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Romans 5:8 NKJV

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 John 4:10 NKJV

10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

And that’s the Love Jesus has for us…

John 15:13 NKJV

13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

2. Shelter from Shame, in Jesus' Name Vs. 41-43

These are the cities of refuge on the East side of the Jordan…

In case you accidently killed someone you would go to one of these cities and you would be safe from the avenger of blood…

In Num.35 there are six cities in all… 3 on the East side… 3 on the West side of the Jordan…

The names of all 6 cities are given in Josh.20:7-8...

Joshua 20:7–8 NKJV

7 So they appointed Kedesh in Galilee, in the mountains of Naphtali, Shechem in the mountains of Ephraim, and Kirjath Arba (which is Hebron) in the mountains of Judah. 8 And on the other side of the Jordan, by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness on the plain, from the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead, from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan, from the tribe of Manasseh.

These cities are a beautiful picture of the Lord…

APPLICATION: No matter how bad we messed up… fall short… we can always go to Jesus our Refuge…

Psalm 9:9 NKJV

9 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 144:2 NKJV

2 My lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower and my deliverer, My shield and the One in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me.

ENDING…