4: 5-8- See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?

Emphasizing the need to obey, a second set of twin call is issued: "See . . . observe . . . Keep . . . observe" (v.5 & 6a).♥ The imperative to "see" the gift of the land had called Israel to faith (1:8, 21; 2:24, 31). Now the same imperative calls Israel to radical discipleship by acknowledging the decrees and laws Moses has already taught them by "doing them." Further motivation for obedience is now provided by an appeal to Israel's sense of greatness among the nations. Every culture has a "wisdom tradition" in which what is good, meaningful, proper and practical, is valued and praised. The story of the Queen of Sheba travelling long distances to listen to Solomon illustrates the high esteem placed on persons famed for their wisdom, and the trouble that people will put themselves through to gain from such persons (1 Ki.10:1-13). Israel's obedience, argues Moses, carries missiological implications—by her life Israel witnesses to Yhwh and his ways with the world. Her obedience will demonstrate to the nations that she is such a wise and understanding people, and anyone who discovers what "all these decrees" require will acknowledge that Israel is just such a "wise and discerning people" (v.6).

Understanding the "law" is a problem for many Christians. Click here for an excursus on how torah is understood in this commentary.

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