We have been seeing in the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible, sometimes also called the Torah) how the Jews are a people of destiny. God ordained that they were to be chosen for a special mission, a purpose that would extend to the whole world.
In Deuteronomy 4, Moses emphasizes their crucial role to the people. As God's special possession, they have received His Law and are to follow it faithfully in order to be a witness to others. "You must observe them [the statutes and ordinances] diligently, for this will show your wisdom and discernment to the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people!'" (vs. 6)
In addition to the giving of the Law, God has shown Israel particular favor by delivering them from bondage in Egypt and by speaking to them out of the fire on Mount Sinai (vs. 33-34). God has an interest in the behavior of the Jews, having staked His reputation on them. And He warns them, through Moses, of the consequences to their descendants if they reject His Law (vs. 25-28). There is also the promise of restoration, however, that God will remember His covenant with their children if they return to Him with all their heart and soul (vs. 29-31).
Moses is using this opportunity of one of his last speeches to reinforce to the people the necessity of following the Law that has been given to them. He will be departing soon; it will be up to them to be diligently faithful in obeying all of God's commands and teaching the same to their children, so that God's purpose in the world will be accomplished.
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