Deuteronomy 8
-The LORD confirms His word yet again in this chapter to His
children of Israel making sure that they know His requirements for staying long
term in the land that He swore to their forefathers for a possession. They were
to “remember all the way” in which He led them through the wilderness for the
40 years. His purpose was to humble them so that they would depend on Him
rather than themselves for the long haul. He tested them to see what was in
their heart as far as their devotion to their God and dependence on His ways. He
let them be hungry so that He could feed them manna from heaven, a source they
had not known previously in their history. He wanted them to understand that
man does not live by bread alone, but by everything that proceeds out of the
Mouth of the LORD (Matthew 4:4). Their clothing miraculously did not wear out,
nor did their feet swell from constant and unrelenting use. The purpose? So
that they would understand God’s graciousness and His abiding and loving discipline
in their lives as sons and daughters. They were being taught to fear Him alone
(Deuteronomy 8:1-6).
-God was bringing them into a “good land” full of brooks of
water, fountains and springs, which flowed from the valleys and hills. It would
be a land of wheat and barley, of vines, fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil,
and honey. It would be a land of plenty where they would lack nothing as long
as they blessed the LORD and His ways. A warning is repeated though for when
this happened. If they forgot the LORD their God by not keeping His
commandments, ordinances, and statutes and becoming excessively proud with
their accomplishments and wandering after other gods to serve them, the LORD
testifies against them that they will surely perish like the nations before
them. Listening to the Voice (counsel) of their God and remembering His gracious
provision and enduring wisdom was paramount for their success in perpetuity
(Deuteronomy 8:7-20).
-*Application* It is not by our own hands that we get
strength and power and wealth. It is a gracious gift of the LORD God. Never,
ever, forget that. We are nothing without our Creator and Sustainer. He is the
giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). We must allow Him to take us
through times of testing and want so that we can come into His abundance with
the right heart and attitude. We have to melt into His ways and make Him our
entire focus. He will help us to depend on His Sovereignty as we humble ourselves.
Then, we will see Him lift us up through His gracious dealings with us. The
message for the Israelites becomes a clear message for us in our world today.
Verse to Memorize:
Deuteronomy 8:2
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