What does Deuteronomy chapter 4 verse 1 mean?

Answer 1

A:Deuteronomy 4:1: "Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you."

This verse is simply telling the Israelites that in return for receiving the Promised Land, they are to obey the commandments God is about to give them. The reference to Israel is anomalous, since the event is supposedly taking place before a nation of Israel even existed, but Deuteronomy was written during the seventh century BCE and the Deuteronomist wanted to make sure that the people fully realised that the commandments would apply to Israel forever, not just to those present at the time. Those who prefer to think of Moses as having written Deuteronomy before Israel existed, can interpret this reference as being to the "children of Israel."