Hebrew Word Study

Deuteronomy 4:39 is a great verse of Scripture. It reads "Know therefore today, and take it to heart, that the Lord; He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other." What an awesome truth! There is only One God, not two, three, or more. To avoid Him, to ignore His presence is absolutely foolishness.    The passage reads: "You know, perceive ..." Or, "become acquainted with ..." "This day ..." better reads "THE Day ..." During this day you need to become aware of and not forget ..." Moses exhorts the people to gratitude towards God (the orthodox Rabbis).    The Rabbis: "Know, become acquainted this day and LAY it to your heart ..." The heart represents the emotions. The Jews were to sense with their feelings the truth of what Moses is about to write. "THAT the Lord (the Everexisting One, HE is THE ELOHIM ("The God Who Is Plural") in the Heavens!" This means that He transcends the entire universe and His rule encompasses all of Creation!    He is in Charge!    "From Above." "The Upward, the Higher and Higher, the Ascent!" From the highest! "And upon the Earth that is beneath" the heavens!    "There is None yet, still, besides NO MORE!" There is then no other god. This summarizes the lesson to be learned from all that has gone before. This is a solemn warning of the dangers of idolatry that threatens the Jews upon their entering the Promised Land.    Verse 39 leads to verse 40: "So you shall keep His statutes and His commandments which I am giving you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may live long ON THE LAND WHICH THE LORD YOUR GOD IS GIVING YOU FOR ALL THE DAYS (Forever)!" Eternity is for "All the Days!" The land belongs to the Jews eternally, forever, even though they have been unfaithful. Their restoration is certain!    —Dr. Mal Couch (2/11)