Rev. Joel Haak, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Deuteronomy 4:25-43.

Moses brings his first sermon in Deuteronomy to a close. He warns the people against spiritual senility once they have entered into the Promised Land. The temptation to forget the LORD and turn toward idolatry will be great. If Israel falls in that way, heaven and earth stand as witnesses against them that they will not live long in the land and will be carried away into exile. Yet even there, the LORD remains gracious and merciful, desiring that His people return to Him. Moses reminds the people that the LORD is God like no other. His work for Israel is entirely unique; He has shown them time and again that He is the only true God. Therefore, Israel must listen to the LORD’s Word. After concluding his first sermon, Moses sets aside three cities of refuge on the east side of the Jordan River in fulfillment of the LORD’s Word and as a reminder of the promise yet to be fulfilled when the LORD delivers the whole land to His people.


“The Law of God is Good and Wise” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Deuteronomy. Though Moses’ lengthy sermons in Deuteronomy may be tempting to skip, this influential book is essential reading for Christians. As Moses strengthened Israel on the plains of Moab before the people entered the Promised Land, so the book of Deuteronomy still strengthens the Church as we prepare to enter the Resurrection with Christ, the Prophet greater than Moses.