In Deuteronomy 4 Moses follows his recounting of God’s faithfulness by exhorting them to obey the commandments of the Lord. He reminds them how God destroyed those who worshiped Baal of Peor. He reminds them how unique their God is because he is near to them when they call.

Moses exhorts them to remember the statutes and to teach them to their children and grandchildren. He reminds them that they have heard God’s voice, but have not seen God in any form so he must not portrayed as any image or idol.

Moses is addressing the descendants of the first Israelites brought out of Egypt. He states that because of this first group he is not allowed to enter the Promised Land. He warns them to remain faithful even after they have been in the land a long time. If they become complacent and start to worship idols they will be punished and taken to other lands. They will call out to the Lord in their distress and God will not forsake them. Moses reminds them again that their God is different from other god because of His presence with them and His mighty protection.

The book of Deuteronomy is believed to be compiled by the priests who were exiled in Babylon after God punished Israel for corrupting their faith. It is meant to remind the people of God’s faithfulness and the necessity of their obedience to the Law.

In Deuteronomy 5 Moses states that the covenant God made at Horeb was made with the present Israelites. They are the ones who are inheriting the land. The Law is meant for them as they enter the land. Moses repeats what God said to them in the giving of the Ten Commandments and how God wrote them on stone tablets. He again exhorts them to follow the law exactly as it has been given to them so that they may live long in the land.

Acts 27 opens with Paul sailing to Italy since he has requested an audience with the emperor. The journey is difficult because the winds are against them. Paul warns them that continuing the journey will be dangerous and they will lose everything but no one listens to him. They encounter a northeaster and are pounded by the storm. The crew threw the cargo overboard.

Paul reminds them that he had warned them not to embark on the journey but tells them that an angel of God spoke to him. He encourages them that God will protect them and no lives will be lost. He states that they will have to run aground on an island. The sailors try to save the ship by anchoring it offshore. They attempt abandon the ship but Paul says that all must stay aboard the ship if they want to survive. It has been two weeks and Paul encourages everyone to eat. After they ate they throw the wheat overboard. The next morning the ship runs into a reef. The soldiers want to kill all of the prisoners so they will not escape but the centurion in charge of Paul keeps them from doing so. Everyone is is brought safely to land.

We are reminded how important it is to obey God’s word. We have a God who is with us in the journey. We have a God who speaks to us. We must listen and obey or bear the consequences.