Read Deuteronomy 6:10–19
Questions from the Scripture text: Who will bring them where (v10)? What things will He give them there (v10–11)? What will they not have done? What will they have done? Of what must they beware (v12)? What has He done for them? Instead of forgetting Him, what three things must they do (v13)? What must they not go after (v14)? Which “gods” will be a temptation for them? What, about God, would make forgetting Him particularly bad (v15)? What might be aroused against them? What would He do to them? What must they not do to Him (v16)? Where had they done this? What must they do (v17)? What three things must they keep? In order to do what two things (v18)? In Whose sight? In order that what four things may happen (v18–19)? In accordance with what?
What danger does prosperity pose? Deuteronomy 6:10–19 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these sixteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that prosperity poses the danger of being forgetful of God.
“Forgetting” YHWH (v12) is a great danger to God’s people. In this passage, we see the circumstance that endangers them of forgetting Him (v10–12), His own definition of how they should remember Him (v13, 17), a warning of what will happen if they forget Him (v14–16), and a promise of what will happen if they remember Him (v18–19).
Circumstances that endanger us of forgetting the Lord (v10–12). Surely, our sinful hearts are the great problem; we are capable of forgetting the Lord in any circumstance. But it is in the midst of prosperity that we are especially to “beware” (v12) of doing so. For Israel the danger was heightened. They didn’t build the cities, fill the houses, dig the wells, or plant the vineyards and olive trees. How quickly and easily they could come to find their satisfaction in those things (v11) rather than in the Lord Who gave them. If we have worked hard to obtain things, then we are in danger not only of finding satisfaction, but even in danger of self-satisfaction (forgetting that God sustained and enabled us, and acting as if we have done so for ourselves, cf. 8:17–18). Most who read these devotionals have been richly and securely provided for by the Lord in earthly things. Beware, lest you forget the Lord Who has provided for you!
What it looks like to remember the Lord (v13, 17, 18a). In vv1–9, we learned what loving the Lord looks like: a Word-saturated, Word-driven, Word-defined life. Now, we learn what remembering the Lord looks like: fearing YHWH, serving Him, and taking oaths in His Name (worship! v13); and “keeping to keep” His commandments, testimonies, and statutes (obedience! v17). Oh, dear reader, when it is the Lord that you remember, you worship Him. When it is the Lord that you remember, you obey Him. How is your life full of the worship of the Lord and the obedience of the Lord? If it isn’t, then you are forgetting Him!
What will happen if we forget the Lord (v14–16). Going after other gods (v14), or putting the Lord to the test (v16) provokes the Lord to holy wrath in which He destroys (v15). Going after other gods is exactly the opposite of worship; and, putting God to the test is exactly the opposite of obedience. These were the very things that Jesus rejected in His final two temptations in the wilderness. Where He succeeded, Israel would fail, and provoke God’s wrath. This wrath is “jealous,” which means that it comes from the zeal that God has for His own glory. Because we are not so zealous for God’s glory as He is, we don’t appreciate how offensive and wrath-provoking our sin is. How much we should hate our sin!
What will happen if we remember the Lord (v18b–19). Finally, we hear about the good that the Lord intends to do them through their worship and obedience. It will be well with them (v18b), they will enjoy the full receipt of all that God has promised hem (v18c), and the Lord will give them victory over their enemies (19). All of these things are “as YHWH swore” and “as YWHH has spoken.” They are not earned by worship and obedience. Still, the passage describes the worship and obedience as being necessary. This is because the Lord, Who has promised and accomplishes the good that He does to us, has ordained the means through which He brings that good. What blessedness He gives us through worship and obedience! We should worship and obey in full expectation of that blessedness.
How are you battling against the danger of forgetting the Lord? How is your life full of the worship and obedience of the Lord? Why do you hate your sin? How much do you hate your sin? What are you expecting the Lord to give you through worshiping and obeying Him?
Sample prayer: Lord, grant that by Your Spirit’s grace, we would not forget You, but live lives of worship and obedience unto You, in Christ, through Whom we ask it, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP128 “How Blessed Are All Who Fear the Lord” or TPH548 “Oh, Blest the House”
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