“You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” Deuteronomy 4:2
The children of Israel’s history included, among other sins, rebellion and idolatry. Moses truly desired that Israel’s hearts would be fully turned and devoted to God as a lasting legacy as they entered and dwelled in the Promised Land. He wanted Israel to be loyal to the Lord by not following other gods.
As Moses spoke to the Israelites, he consistently emphasized that love and obedience to the Lord brought about blessings from the Lord. He reminded them of those who were destroyed for following the path of disobedience and those who remained, were alive only because they held fast to the Lord. He urged them to keep and do the commandments of the Lord that they were taught. By keeping and doing the commandments, it would be seen as wisdom and understanding in the sight of those who would hear the commandments.
Moses went on to say that the people would view Israel as a great nation whose God is so near whenever they call. Additionally, the Israelites could compare the laws and judgments of other nations to God’s whole law and see His statues as incomparably righteous. As a matter of importance, Moses urged them to remember and keep the things that they’ve seen in their hearts so that they could teach their sons and grandsons; they were not to add to or take away from the commandments of God.
As children of God, this same God, who has not changed, has made Himself known to us through His word. Because of what Christ has done, we can have a relationship with God. Because of our relationship with God, we love and obey Him. When we love and obey Him, we hold fast to Him. When we hold fast to Him through love and obedience, others see us, His children, as wise and understanding. Most importantly, others see our God as the God whose ways and judgments are wholly righteous in comparison to any laws and standards placed by themselves or others.
"Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,