Deuteronomy 4:4 But you that did join to the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day. Moses spoke like a father during the closing days of his life to those who "were then alive." There is a reference here to the multitudes who had fallen in the desert because they did not cleave, etc. They cared not for Him who had delivered them. Moses reminds them of the declension of many to the idolatry of Baal Peor, to which they were tempted by those who wished to bring a curse on Israel. He recalls the terrible punishment which overtook the sinners (Numbers 25). But those who cleaved to the Lord remained in life. This was to be an example to the people to whom Moses spoke, when they realised in this how truly the Lord is a jealous God. I. THE SPECIAL REGARD OF JEHOVAH FOR THOSE WHO CLEAVE TO HIM. 1. He watches over their temporal existence, and does not permit it to be snatched away like that of many stoners, unexpectedly and before the times. 2. True, we do not now think that an early death is a punishment for falling away from God. With us it is not the same as with Israel. Their reward was first the earthly Canaan. To us is the promise of a heavenly inheritance. Then to die was to lose the promised land; now it is the way of entrance to the heavenly country. Therefore the Lord often takes some of those who cleave to Him early from earth, as if they were His specially favoured ones. 3. Still, one has often the impression that some are called hence sooner than should have been. And this may seem either a mark of favour or the reverse — of favour, since the poor sinner is saved from further sinning, and may be brought to himself before death's solemn advent; or of unfavour, since it seems as if it ought to have been otherwise. II. THE SPECIAL HELP AND DELIVERANCE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO CLEAVE TO GOD. 1. Those who cleave to Him experience deliverance from sickness, from trouble and death; in war and pestilence, so that they are not suddenly snatched away; whilst many others — although we dare not judge who — who are accustomed to live according to their lusts, have little safeguard. 2. At all events, what Moses says in regard to this life applies to us in regard to the future life. There It will be declared, None is lost who have cleaved to the Lord, 'they are alive every one this day.'" 3. Whereas those will not be found who have never sought after God or His Son Jesus. 4. If we would live in time and eternity, then we must cleave to the Lord, "flee from idolatry" and all the abominations that cleave to it. (J. C. Blumhardt.) Parallel Verses KJV: But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day.WEB: But you who did cling to Yahweh your God are all alive this day. |
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