4:25Deuteronomy 4:25

Moses warned that after Israel had children and grandchildren and had lived long in the promised land, they would corrupt themselves by making idols and doing evil before the Lord to provoke Him to anger.Ms 93, 1908, par. 47–49+2 The land was theirs only on condition of obedience, and unfaithfulness would bring swift destruction, loss of the land, scattering among the nations, and bondage to lifeless idols.Ms 93, 1908, par. 47–49+2 Departing from His commandments vindicates the sacredness of His law, as when all but two of the adults who left Egypt died in the wilderness, while keeping His statutes brings well-being to them and their children and long life in the land He gives.Ms 65, 1906, par. 21–22+1 Even then mercy remains, for in tribulation in the latter days those who seek Him with all their heart and soul and obey Him will find Him, because He will not forsake them nor forget His covenant.Ms 18, 1905, par. 25–28 The warning is a lesson for the latter days and for God's people now, a solemn charge to continually heed His Word, remain faithful and not fall into rebellion.RH Aug 23, 1906+4

After Israel should beget children and children's children and should have remained long in the promised land, they would be in danger of corrupting themselves by making a graven image or the likeness of anything and doing evil in the sight of the Lord to provoke Him to anger.Ms 93, 1908, par. 47–49+4 The same warning reaches to descendants living long in the land, that such image-making and evil-doing would provoke His anger.PP 465.2–4
The warning belongs to the giving of God's law and covenant to Israel, with blessing promised if they kept His commandments.Lt 176, 1907, par. 11–12+1 It instructed them to keep His covenant and to give no worship to anything made by human hands.Ms 18, 1905, par. 25–28 The land itself was theirs only on condition of obedience.PP 465.2–4
While this warning was being given, angels watched over Israel, and Jesus Christ, the light of the world in the pillar of cloud, guided every movement.Ms 120, 1909, par. 19–20 He halted over the place where they were to rest and lifted when they were to move, and He protected Israel all along the way.Ms 120, 1909, par. 19–20 Yet even then there were murmurers and complainers among them.Ms 120, 1909, par. 19–20

Corruption after long dwelling in the promised land, when children and children's children make a graven image and do evil in the sight of the Lord to provoke Him to anger, brings the covenant consequence of being driven from the land and scattered among other nations.Ms 93, 1908, par. 47–49+2 The land was held only on condition of obedience, and transgression would bring swift destruction and loss of the land.PP 465.2–4 The warning belongs to the charge to keep God's covenant and to give worship to nothing made by human hands.Ms 18, 1905, par. 25–28

Scattered among the nations, the unfaithful would be left to serve lifeless idols.Ms 18, 1905, par. 25–28 The verse reveals the sacredness of God's law, for departure from His commandments brings vindication of His word, as seen when Israel disobeyed what God spoke and only two of the adults who left Egypt entered Canaan while the rest died in the wilderness.Ms 65, 1906, par. 21–22+1 Yet the same chapter holds out the promise that keeping His statutes and commandments brings well-being to them and their children and long life in the land God gives.Ms 65, 1906, par. 21–22+1 Even in tribulation in the latter days, those who seek God with all their heart and soul and obey Him will find Him, for God is merciful and will not forsake them nor forget His covenant.Ms 18, 1905, par. 25–28

The chapter is a lesson not for Israel alone but for later generations, applying to the latter days and to God's people in the present, and it is to be studied now.RH Aug 23, 1906+2 It belongs to what was required through Moses in Deuteronomy 4-8 that they might be a holy people unto God, and it is to be studied with profit now because the world is nearing God's great final review when all must stand before the Judge of all the earth to answer for their deeds.Lt 112, 1909, par. 22–24 The present is the time of investigation when every character will have been investigated and every case decided for eternity before that day comes.Lt 112, 1909, par. 22–24

The same vindication of His word seen in Israel's fall applies today if leaders of His people depart from His commandments, so leaders who depart should take this warning seriously.Ms 65, 1906, par. 21–22+1 Its lesson is a solemn charge to obey the commandments and heed the instruction given in Scripture, to study and follow the Lord's Word carefully lest the people fall into rebellion.Lt 42, 1910, par. 6 It calls the people to heed God's instruction and remain faithful to Him, as part of the true platform to which they are urged to return.Lt 116, 1906, par. 3 Those who have heard the truth must heed its warnings continually, for truth is not something to take up at certain times and lay aside at will.19MR 67.1

Its directions express God's mind and remain binding: God's people must not depart from His word or misrepresent His character, and these principles are to govern religious service and conduct toward one another.Ms 40, 1891, par. 42–45 The chapter is to be read together with Isaiah 58, Deuteronomy 6:1-9, and Deuteronomy 15:1-15 to show the work the Lord has specified should be done.Lt 55, 1897, par. 9–11 That work is done by walking in the light given and joining faith with works by educating workers and laboring in medical missionary service instead of neglecting the light.Lt 55, 1897, par. 9–11

The chapter is part of the sacred history and instruction that children should learn from Scripture.Ms 222, 1902, par. 1 From Israel's experience of guidance, God's people must know when God guides and praise and honor Him for great light and opportunities and privileges and glorify His name.Ms 120, 1909, par. 19–20 Israel should have been careful and kind and tender to give the example to their children and to all in that vast army.Ms 120, 1909, par. 19–20