In this chapter Moses continues to remind the Israelites to obey the Lord’s commands. He said, “Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would really obey his commands.” (Deuteronomy 8:2) He told the people that the Lord let them go hungry, and then fed them with a food unknown to them or their ancestors called manna. “He did it to teach you that people need more than bread for their life; real life comes by feeding on every word of the Lord. For all these forty years your clothes didn't wear out, and your feet didn’t blister or swell. So you should realize that just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you to help you.” (Deuteronomy 8:3-5)
Question: Understanding the parent/child relationship...are we less likely to be disciplined, if we are following our parent’s instructions? And if we are parents, even in our discipline, are we still there to provide for our children and protect them? And....as parents, even when we don’t have to discipline our children, are we still teaching them lessons?
I guess that’s why we call Him...Father God or God our Father.
Moses continues by indicating that God is bringing the people of Israel into a land of milk and honey, a land overflowing with everything needed to live a long prosperous life, a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. He then warns the people…”When you have eaten your fill, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and laws. For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in and when your flocks and herd have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, that is the time to be careful. Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 8:10-14)
Moses continues by saying, “...never think that it was your own strength and energy that made you wealthy. Always remember that it is the Lord your God who gives you power to become rich, and he does it to fulfill the covenant he made with your ancestors” (Deuteronomy 8:17-18) Amen, Amen, Amen!
Moses finishes this chapter with this final warning....”But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed. Just as the Lord has destroyed other nations in your path, you also will be destroyed for not obeying the Lord your God.
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us recognize the abundant blessings we have, and to know they have all been provided by you! Help us to be less proud and more humble and obedient. We love you!
“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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