ADDITIONS THAT SUBTRACT

NO FOOLING ON GOD’S ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

  Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 12:29-32 And now, Israel, listen to the statutes and to the judgments which I teach you, in order to do them, so that you may live and go in and possess the land which Jehovah, the God of your fathers gives you. You shall not add to the Word which I command you, neither shall you take away from it, so that you may keep the commands of Jehovah your God which I command you. … When Jehovah your God shall cut off the nations before you, where you go to possess them, and you take their place and dwell in their land, take heed to yourself that you do not become snared by following them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not ask about their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods, that I too may do likewise? You shall not do so to Jehovah your God. For every abomination to Jehovah, which He hates, they have done to their gods; even their sons and their daughters they have burned in the fire to their gods. All the things I command you, be careful to do it. You shall not add to it, nor take away from it.

  Psalm [MKJV] 119:103-5 How sweet are Your Words to my taste! More than honey to my mouth! Through Your Commandments I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.

  Proverbs [GW] 28:25b-26 … whoever trusts the LORD prospers. Whoever trusts his own heart [feelings/intellect] is a fool. Whoever walks in wisdom will survive.

  The above Scripture puzzles some as to its application, and does frighten others at times.

  One of the best ways to comprehend Deuteronomy 4:1-2 and 12:29-32 is to read in context with question “What things?” in mind.

  In 4:3 God warns of Baal-peor, citing the history of those that added pagan beliefs and practices to Jehovah’s statutes and commandments.

  (Baal-peor בּעל פעור, ba‛al p^e‛ōr; Βεελφεγώρ, Beelphegō̇r was god of the Moabite mountains, who took his name from Mount Peor (Num_23:28), the modern Fa‛ūr, and was probably a form of Chemosh (Jerome, Comm., Isa_15:1-9). The sensual rites with which he was worshipped (Num_25:1-3) indicate his connection with the Phoenician Baal. [From ISBE] )

  In 4:4 we see that central to what God is talking about is not singularly about obedience but more importantly the reason for compliance: healthy individual and national relationship/fellowship with Him. Take particular note of the phrase (KJV) “cleave unto the Lord your God” – in following verses again specifying how to do so.

  Going to Exodus 32 we see the description of the addition that subtracted from fellowship with God . . . that very much angered Him with dire results for the people.

  James asks “Do you think that the Scripture says in vain, The spirit that dwells in us yearns to envy?” and promises “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says, God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. Therefore submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners; and purify your hearts, double-minded ones.” (MKJV 4:5-8)

  I doubt most of us will soon distance our self from God by dancing naked before a graven image. There are however many other additions that subtract from fellowship. Some we know, others we don’t recognize the sum of immediately. None however require algebra; it takes spiritual discernment added through His Word consistently read, studied, and meditated upon. 

EBB4