Proper 17: Old Testament, Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9               

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9

Deuteronomy is so full of good things. Knowing as we do that God loves and has ordained preaching as the primary method of disseminating His Word, the entire book puts preaching right where it belongs. Isn’t it interesting that Moses classified himself as being “slow of speech and of tongue” (Exodus 4:10). Perhaps he was. And his New Testament counterpart, Paul, wasn’t exactly the orator of record either. Having pointed that out, I think they both did just fine. The Lord certainly thought so, too.

Moses spent forty long years leading those who would rather wander. God wanted them home and settled, no doubt, but He is never “in a hurry.” So He crafts and develops this amazing man as shepherd and mouthpiece. And it is in the role of God’s spokesman that Moses shines.

Toward the end of our reading today, Moses expresses something that all of God’s people need to be reminded of again and again. For several reasons. But let me simply repeat it in this font:

“For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him” (Deut. 4:7)?

For whatever the need, in whatever frame of time, and no matter the depth of our dilemma, our God is near us when we call. That truth sustained the faithful of God in Moses’ day. And it has sustained God’s faithful people ever since. Moses got that one right. Never forget it.