⁶ Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

Deuteronomy 4:6

Explanation:

Moses continues his instruction after warning the children of Israel. He had said, in yesterdays text, that he gave them the statutes and judgements because God had commanded him to do so, and so that they would obey them as they go in and possess the land. In verse 6 he says to obey the statutes and judgements and gives them multiple reasons in the next few verses as to why they should do so. The reason stated here is that they would be seen as a wise and understanding people by the nations around them because of their obedience God’s law.

The laws of God were a great advantage to the Jews. If you think about the dietary laws, many of them would have kept them from things that could really effect their health. For instance, they could not eat pork, or certain kinds of shellfish. Today we understand that there are many sicknesses that could come from ill prepared pork and shellfish. In regards to the moral law, a nation that is full of people striving not to commit murder, not to steal, not to commit adultery, and committed to teaching their kids to do the same will fare more well than nations where those immoral acts are rampant.

The scripture says about God’s law:

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

Psalm 19:7

As the people of God obeyed the law of God, they would grow in wisdom, and therefore appear more wise to the nations around them. They would be a witness of the greatness of God to peoples who did not know Him.

Application:

The application here is obvious. As believers, we understand that we are right with God because Jesus kept the law for us and we have repented of our sin and put our trust in Him. We don’t have to keep the law to be saved.

⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:8-10

Our good works, our keeping the law, does benefit ourselves, our families, our churches, and our communities. When we live rightly, we will grow in wisdom and be seen as wise. This is God’s will for us after we are saved. He wants to change us into who He wants us to be, and then He’ll lead us to do what He wants us to do.

When we do that, people will see, and we’ll have a platform to reach them for Christ.

¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

Response:

1. What kind of platform for the Gospel is your behavior? Are your good works pointing people towards Jesus?
2. Would you say that you are wiser now than you were this time last year? If you are growing in wisdom, how is that happening? If you are not, how do you see that happen in your life?
3. Is there someone that you’ve built a reputation and connection with that it’s time to talk to about Christ?