The Lesson today will be “old news” to many of you.
But to others, a “fresh breath of air!”
It’s a warning really, today’s Bible Text.
One that helps “protect” the Word of God.
A warning that’s repeated elsewhere in Scripture as well!
“What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt NOT ADD thereto, NOR DIMINISH from it.” That’s God Himself speaking, Deuteronomy 12:32, that chapter’s last verse.
Obey God’s Word, God’s Law, God’s Direction for life. (The Hebrew verb “observe to do” is “shamar,” meaning “to guard or protect!” Hence, “heed” 35 times in the King James Bible.
Obey the various “charges, orders” God has given us!
But further admonition is also given … “Thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.”
Wow!
Don’t “tamper” with any of God’s Words! (The verb “tamper” is much like the verb “temper,” meaning to “meddle, interfere.” Here’s one of its earliest definitions, or examples: “to work in clay, etc., so as to mix it thoroughly.”)
In Hebrew “add” (spelled “yasaph” and the root of the name “Joseph) means “to increase” something. To “exceed” its limits. Do not go beyond what God has declared!
In fact, the “eye for eye” and “tooth for tooth” regulations of Scripture (as in Exodus 21:24, for example) are limiting the field of punishment, not draconically enforcing them! If a man even accidentally blinds one eye … you cannot then in turn blind both his eyes! Just “one” for “one.” To do more would be “adding” to God’s Word. Taking it further than God intended!
And “diminishing” the Bible?
The word is “gara” in Hebrew, meaning “to clip!” Or “to take away.” To make “smaller!” In other words, do not try to “restrain” the Word of God! Paul often prayed that the Word, when he preached, would be unrestrained. That Scripture would have “free course” (a Greek verb meaning “to run without hindrance”) and be “glorified!” See 2nd Thessalonians 3:1 for proof.
Now, let’s put our Text verse together again: “What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.”
A requirement so important God repeats it elsewhere in the Bible!
Back in Deuteronomy 4:2, the very Book we’re studying now. “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” (By the way, using the very same verbs we just noticed, “yasaph” and “gara.”)
Then notice Proverbs 30:5-6. “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. ADD THOU NOT unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”
Finally (unless I have missed some) Revelation 22:18-19. “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall ADD unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall TAKE AWAY from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Maybe the strongest warning of all!
Need I say anything else today?
God’s Word, all sufficient … without any changing made by man!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell