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Discussions Torah

Deuteronomy 4:12-20: You saw no form (of God) on the Mountain

Moses reminds the children of Israel in Deu. 4:15 that they are to “…Watch yourselves carefully, since you did not see any form on the day the LORD spoke to you at Horeb from the midst of the fire.” This is repeated several times to emphasize God’s admonition against idolatry but Moses also prophesies they will ignore this warning and God will have to rebuke them harshly for their idolatry.

Thought Questions

  • What subject matter starts Deut. 4?
    • What is the common perceptions of Moses in movies?
    • How does Deuteronomy change that picture of him?
    • Does it give a clue as to what is meant by the saying “a prophet after Moses”?
  • How does this book describe an interaction between Moshe and God that is similar to the ineteractions and relationship between Yeshua and the Father?
  • What do you think of as attributes of “the kingdom of God”?
    • What does God wan us to do in his Kingdom as described in Deut. 4?
  • How can we have love flowing from our hearts from the 10 Words, the 10 commandments?
  • Why did God give the 10 words as described in the “First Word”, aka the “Jewish version” of the First commandment?
  • Which one of the Words is aimed at government?
  • What did Moshe say about the importance of the 10 words in Deut. 4:9?
  • What’s the difference between saying “I believe God” and “I believe in God”?
  • WHy does Moshe say “you saw no form” (Deut. 4:15) again and again?
    • How is this connected with the temptation of idolatry?
    • How does depicting God limit your belief?
    • How is this similar to the reaction of Yeshua’s neigbors in Nazareth to his Minstry?
    • What is dangerous about dwelling on the passage “God is love” or saying “God is this or that”?
  • How is this connected to the challenge in obeying the commandment to “honor your mother and father”?
  • Should we make images of fish, doves, stars of David?
    • What are God’s symbols?
    • Are they images of God?
  • Are there any other spiritual beings who have brought human beings to themselves for the benefit of their followers?
    • Which “prinicipalities of the air” really loves you?
  • What was the purpose of the 40 years in the wilderness for Israel?
    • How is this similar to Messiah’s saying that He can make sons of Abraham out of stones?
  • Does God love you with all His heart, with all His soul, and all His strength?
    • What are we looking into through the book of Deuteronomy?