The Glory of Israel
J. C. Blumhardt. Deuteronomy 4:7-8 For what nation is there so great, who has God so near to them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call on him for?… Moses reminds the people that God has chosen them as His special possession, and that this had been shown during forty years, and that if they would remain a people forever blessed it must be under the protection and blessing of God. They were highly favoured above all other peoples — for Jehovah the true God was theirs, and would be known among His people by this gracious name. And all the peoples around saw how great things God had done for Israel — how gloriously and graciously He had led His people. This was one reason why Israel should cleave to the Lord, who would plainly thus reveal Himself as the true God, the Holy One of Israel. From all this Israel should have learned — I. TO PRIZE HIGHLY THEIR RELATION TO GOD. 1. They should have learned to realise what it was to be under the peculiar care of God, and how great and glorious was their fellowship with Him. Theirs was not merely to be a great and glorious history in the past. God was not merely to be the God who had mightily manifested Himself to their fathers, and then withheld His presence. Rather there was the promise that if they continued to call upon Him wonderful manifestations of grace and help would be given. 2. How blessed Israel was so long as they continued to call on God, prayed for His protection in faith, and kept in the way of His commandments! It was no hard thing to draw near to God. Priest and prophet were given to prepare the way, and each Israelite might experience the truth of the text for himself. But it was otherwise with Israel. In them we see — II. THE DANGER OF NEGLECTING TO CALL UPON GOD. 1. Israel went on their own way, according to their own will; and in order that they might not be stopped by listening to the voice of reason they no longer called upon God; they no longer sought His near presence. 2. Therefore, however He would have been pleased to draw near to them, He could do so no more, because they desired it not. Thus did Israel, and even when they inquired of His way they did not follow it. 3. How speedily, therefore, were they brought low; for all depended on their calling on God, and Him alone. III. THE SPIRITUAL ISRAEL MUST CALL ON GOD. 1. Even among the early believers to whom with visible manifestation the Holy Ghost came, whose voice and counsel they might ever hear, there was the temptation to walk more according to the flesh than according to the Spirit. Some neglected to hear His voice, and gave themselves up to the lusts of the flesh. 2. Then true believing calling on God ceased, the Lord came no more nigh to them, and the Holy Ghost was grieved. 3. Let us learn in simple faith to pray to and call upon Him. Then should we hope that all things would again become new in us, would be otherwise with us; and how glorious could our lives become! (J. C. Blumhardt.) Parallel Verses KJV: For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? WEB: For what great nation is there, that has a god so near to them, as Yahweh our God is whenever we call on him?