Deuteronomy 4:39, commentary and pictures

Know this day and take it to heart that the Lord alone is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath, and beside Him there is no other God. It is truth to be known inwardly, kept in mind, and held firmly in the heart rather than put on and off at will. Israel's deliverance from Egypt, the wonders by which God made Himself known, and its hearing of His voice confirmed that there is none else. Because He alone is God, His statutes and commandments are to be kept, with promise that it shall go well with the obedient and their children after them and that they shall prolong their days on the earth He gives. The chapter is to be studied carefully and heeded in full surrender and obedience, in humbling of spirit and a changed heart acted out in liberality, tenderness, compassion, courtesy, and justice toward God and one another.

Words and Historical Setting

The LORD Himself is God in heaven above and upon the earth beneath, sovereign over all, and beside Him there is none else, no other God. His sole Godhead rules both realms without rival or equal.

The truth is to be known this day and considered in the heart, recognized inwardly, kept in mind, and held firmly. It is not to be treated as something to put on and take off at will, but to be understood and retained as settled conviction.

Israel's deliverance from Egypt and the wonders by which God made Himself known confirmed that there is no other God. Its unique experience of hearing God's voice showed the same, that the LORD alone is God in heaven and on earth.

The declaration belongs to the account of the Lord's dealings with Israel and His giving of the law at Sinai, where wonderful promises were joined to observing His commandments. The directions were spoken by the voice of God from the pillar of cloud, telling the people what to do and what not to do. They are sacred truth expressing the mind of the infinite God, they never lose their force, and every word is to be cherished and preached.

Obedience and Promised Blessing

Because He alone is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath, with none else beside Him, the verse requires keeping His statutes and commandments. To know this truth is to take it to heart and hold it firmly, and that inward recognition draws the consequence stated with it: keep what He commands. Obedience carries the promise that it shall go well with the obedient and with their children after them, and that they shall prolong their days upon the earth which He gives forever. Israel's deliverance from Egypt, the wonders by which He made Himself known, and its unique experience of hearing His voice confirmed that there is no other God and laid the ground for this call to obedience. The chapter presents the Lord's dealings with Israel and His giving of the law at Sinai, with wonderful promises to Israel if they observe His commandments.

Disobedience verifies His word in judgment, as Israel's wilderness history shows. The people disobeyed, and only two of the adults who left Egypt entered Canaan while the rest died in the wilderness. God will today vindicate His word if leaders of His people depart from His commandments, upholding the sacredness of His law.

The verse belongs with obeying the law He proclaimed at Sinai, including the Sabbath. It shows what He required that Israel might be a holy people unto Himself. The chapter containing it is to be studied carefully by those who would belong to His covenant-keeping people, together with chapters five through eight.

Parents were to teach this truth about God to their children so they would know Him. They were to lead their children to fear and honor Him as their Leader even in difficult circumstances. They were to teach them to trust Him to carry them safely through.

Study and Present Application

The chapter that holds this declaration is to be studied carefully and heeded by all who would belong to God's covenant-keeping people. It is urged especially upon those who have heard the truth for these last days, that they study its warnings carefully and heed them. Its charge is a lesson in full surrender and obedience to the Lord's commandments. That study stands in connection with obeying the law God proclaimed at Sinai, including the Sabbath.

The instruction in Deuteronomy 4 through 11 sets forth God's dealings with His people. It means much to every soul carrying responsibility in sanitarium work. It requires careful observance of all the directions God has given, from the greatest to that which may seem the least.

The verse calls for humbling of spirit and a changed heart acted out in principle in all religious service toward God and toward one another. This means always being Christian gentlemen, loving as brethren, doing no injustice, and showing liberality, tenderness, compassion, and true courtesy. These are the same principles found in James 3 and are the principles of the law of God. By correct principles in everything God is represented by His people, while all who depart from His word in their actions misrepresent the character of God.

The chapter teaches a return to the true platform of faith and firmness against deception. It assures that truth will triumph and gain the victory. Its words are to be read with profit now, together with chapters five through eight, because the world must stand before the Judge of all the earth to answer for deeds. This is the present time of investigation, when every character will have been investigated and every case decided for eternity before God's great final review.

Because the Lord alone is God and beside Him there is none else, unbelief in the directions God has laid out and the exalting of human judgment must be put away after much time and valuable experience have been lost. It is time for the purpose of God to be carried out, for all to search the Word of the Lord and walk in His ways. All are to study and heed the prophecies of Isaiah, trusting that the Lord will perform His part.