Do Not Forget
"A God so near"
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- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
Read
What does it say?
This is a plain-language guide, not a translation. Check it against the Bible text any time.
Tap a verse number, like , to read the Bible’s exact words.
The whole passage, in shortThe main points of the whole passage, in a few sentences.
Before God's people crossed into the promised land, Moses reminded them that no other nation had a god as near as the LORD whenever they called on him. He told them to fix God's words on their hearts and teach them to their children at home and on the road. He promised that God would raise up a prophet like him, and taught them to bring their first harvest to God and say, "My father was a wandering Aramean," remembering how the LORD heard their cry and brought them out of Egypt.
Where it is in the Bible: Deuteronomy 4, 11, 18 and 26
All the sections at a glanceA map of the passage, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Message
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. A God So Near | 4:1-9 | No other nation has a God this close |
| 2. On Your Hearts | 11:18-28 | Teach God's words to your children |
| 3. A Prophet Like Moses | 18:15-20 | God will raise up another prophet |
| 4. A Wandering Aramean | 26:1-11 | Bring your first fruits, and remember |
Before You Read
Who is speaking. Moses, now about 120 years old (34:7). He has led God's people for forty years in the desert.
What was happening. The people are camped east of the Jordan River, about to enter the land God promised. Moses won't go with them. Most of the people who left Egypt have died. This is a new generation.
What this book is. Deuteronomy means "second law." It's Moses's farewell: a series of speeches reminding the people what God has done and how to live in the new land.
How to read it. This page gathers four passages read on Sundays. Listen for the words "remember" and "do not forget."
Section by Section
Section 1 of 4A God So Near
"Hear now, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live" (4:1).
Statutes and ordinances means God's laws and teachings.
Don't add to God's word or take away from it.
When other nations see how God's people live, they will say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people" (4:6).
"For what nation is great enough to have a god as near to them as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him?" (4:7).
"Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen" (4:9).
"Teach them to your children and grandchildren" (4:9).
Section 2 of 4On Your Hearts
"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds" (11:18).
Tie them on your hands and foreheads as reminders.
"Teach them to your children, speaking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up" (11:19).
Write them on your doorposts and gates.
God's people are to love him, walk in his ways, and hold on to him.
"See, today I am setting before you a blessing and a curse" (11:26).
Blessing comes from following God. Trouble comes from turning to other gods.
Section 3 of 4A Prophet Like Moses
"The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him" (18:15).
At Mount Sinai, the people were terrified of God's voice and the fire. They asked Moses to speak for God instead.
God promised: "I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him" (18:18).
God will hold people accountable for listening, and false prophets will be judged.
Section 4 of 4A Wandering Aramean
When the people have settled in the land, they are to bring the first part of their harvest to God in a basket.
Then they say a prayer that tells their whole story:
"My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down to Egypt few in number and lived there and became a great nation" (26:5).
The "wandering Aramean" was Jacob, their ancestor.
The Egyptians made them slaves. "So we called out to the LORD, the God of our fathers; and the LORD heard our voice" (26:7).
God brought them out "with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm" (26:8) and gave them the land.
They place the basket before God and bow down.
Then everyone celebrates together, including the Levites and the foreigners living among them.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "So that you may live" (4:1) | God's teaching leads to life. |
| "As near to them as the LORD our God is to us" (4:7) | God is close whenever we call on him. |
| "So that you do not forget" (4:9) | Remember what God has done. |
| "Teach them to your children" (11:19) | Faith is passed on at home, in everyday life. |
| "A prophet like me" (18:15) | God would send another prophet to speak his words. |
| "A wandering Aramean" (26:5) | God's people began small and homeless. |
| "The LORD heard our voice" (26:7) | God listens when his people cry out. |
Back Then
Some Jewish people still tie small boxes with Scripture verses on their arms and foreheads, and put them on their doorposts, following Deuteronomy 6 and 11.
First fruits were the first and best part of the harvest, given to God as thanks before anything else.
Jesus quoted Deuteronomy to answer the devil when he was tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:4, 4:7, 4:10).
Literal Reader Alert
Who is the "prophet like Moses"? In the New Testament, Peter and Stephen say it is Jesus (Acts 3:22, 7:37).
Do Christians have to keep all the laws in Deuteronomy? Christians are not under the old ceremonial laws. But the heart of these chapters, loving God, remembering what he has done, and teaching our children, still applies.
Why tell the whole story in a prayer? Remembering God's past help builds trust for the future. Christians do the same in the Creed.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The people | Nervous | They are about to enter a new land |
| The people at Sinai | Terrified | They heard God's voice in the fire (18:16) |
| The worshiper | Thankful | God heard and rescued them (26:7-10) |
| Everyone | Joyful | They rejoice together (26:11) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What does Moses say to you? Tap one.
God feels far away
No nation has a God as near as ours whenever we call.
I'm a parent or grandparent
Talk about God at home, on the road, at bedtime.
I'm thankful
Give God your first and best, and remember your story.
I'm forgetful
Remember what God has done. Write it where you'll see it.
You Might Have Heard
"Faith is something you learn at church."
What's true: Church is where God's people gather to hear his word.
What the passage is mainly about: Moses says faith is taught "when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up" (11:19). Home is where it starts.
Where Jesus is: He is the prophet like Moses, with God's words in his mouth.
Good News
God is not far off. He hears.
"For what nation is great enough to have a god as near to them as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him?" (4:7).
God heard his people when they were slaves, brought them out, and gave them a home. He hears you too.
God is near whenever we call. He heard his people's cry and rescued them. Remember what he has done, and teach it to your children.
Big Idea
Before the people entered the promised land, Moses told them: do not forget. God is near whenever we call. Teach his words to your children, and remember how he heard and rescued you.
If this passage brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther wrote the Small Catechism so that "the head of the household" could teach the faith at home, just as Moses told parents to talk about God's words with their children.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It reads Deuteronomy 26:1-11 on the First Sunday in Lent in Year C, and 18:15-20 on the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany in Year B. Deuteronomy 11:18-28 and 4:1-9 are read in early summer and late August.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
For what nation is great enough to have a god as near to them as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him?
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany Year BFirst reading, Deuteronomy 18:15-20
- Ninth Sunday after the Epiphany Year AFirst reading, Deuteronomy 11:18-21, 26-28
- First Sunday in Lent Year CFirst reading, Deuteronomy 26:1-11
- Lectionary 9 Year AFirst reading, Deuteronomy 11:18-21, 26-28
- Lectionary 22 Year BFirst reading, Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Do Not Forget, explained in plain words. Before the people enter the promised land, Moses tells them: remember what God has done, and teach it to your children. About 10 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/do-not-forget/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church