Deuteronomy 4:3
“Your eyes have seen what Yahweh did because of Baal Peor; for all the men who followed Baal Peor, Yahweh your God has destroyed them from among you.”
What does Deuteronomy 4:3 mean?
Moses is reminding the Israelites of something they'd witnessed firsthand: a devastating plague that killed thousands when some of their people turned to worship Baal Peor, a foreign god associated with sexual rituals. He's pointing to this painful memory as evidence that abandoning their covenant with God brings serious consequences, while staying faithful protects them. This wasn't meant to shame them endlessly, but to wake them up. Moses is saying, "You saw this happen. You know what's at stake. Don't repeat that mistake." It's the kind of honest warning that comes from caring about people's wellbeing, not from wanting to punish them. The point is that their choices matter, and faithfulness to God is worth the commitment.