Read Deuteronomy 8:1–10
Questions from the Scripture text: How many of the commandments must they do what with (v1)? Unto what three ends? How does Moses refer to the land? What is the primary command in v2? What are they to remember YHWH doing? For how far and how long? To do what two things to them? What, specifically, was He testing? What determined whether they would keep His commandments? By what circumstances did He test them (v3)? What were they to learn from the manna? By what, especially, does a man live? What did God not permit to happen (v4)? For how long? What should they know (v5)? How (unto what end) does YHWH chasten His people? What three things, therefore, must they do (v6)? Into what was He bringing them (v7–9)? And how would they respond to this, if they had been following v6 (v10)?
What are believers to remember about God as they obey His commandments? Deuteronomy 8:1–10 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, as they obey God’s commandments, believers are to remember His purposes toward them in those commandments, His preparation of them by bringing them through that obedience, and His praise from them which that obedience will produce.
Chapter eight can be summarized in two halves: “remember” (v1–10) and “do not forget” (v11–20). There are three things that are highlighted about obedience to God’s commandments by remembering the Lord’s dealings with them in the wilderness: purpose, preparation, and praise.
First, the purpose of God’s commandments and obedience to them: “that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess” (v1). The Lord, Who has sworn to give them all of this is the One Who has given them the commandments, and Who has prescribed their obedience as the means by which He brings them into what He has promised. You must remember God’s purposes for you, so that you will trust Him that keeping His commandments is His way of bringing you into the blessedness He has promised you in Christ.
Second, remember the preparation that God gives you for tomorrow by obedience to His commandments today (v2–5). They were to remember how the Lord intentionally brought them through difficulty to test them (v2a). He brought out what was in their hearts (v2b), while showing them what was “His heart” toward them: as a wise and loving Father, training His son (v5). Even if it takes miraculous bread, clothing, and sandals, the Father will take care of His son (v3–4)! In every trouble, He is training us to trust and obey Him.
Third, remember the praise into which obedience to His commandments brings you (v6–10). There is a danger of forgetting God, when we are prospering (cf. 6:10–12), but He gives obedience to Him (v6) as a means by which, when He prospers them (v7–9), and they are content (v10a), they will bless Him (v10b). Living a life of keeping His commandments, walking in His ways, and fearing Him (v6b) maintains and strengthens a relationship with Him so that every blessing moves us to His praise.
Remember your God in your obedience, dear Christian! Remember His purpose toward you in His good commandments, the preparation that obedience gives you for future walking with Him, and the praise to which a life of obedience will move you.
In doing so, you will be imitating Christ, to Whom the Spirit conforms you. Where Israel failed, He succeeded in the wilderness (cf. Mt 4:1–11), knowing God’s purpose of bringing Him into His kingdom, and the preparation that the temptations gave Him for His cross, and the praise of His Father, which would redound unto Him forever!
What has God promised you? How are you remembering these purposes of His in all that He commands you to do? What difficulty is He bringing you through now, in preparation for future faith and obedience? How has your intimacy with Him brought forth His praise from your heart, when you have prospered?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for Your good commandments. Grant us grace to remember You as we obey them, so that we will come into that blessedness which You have purposed, and for which we will praise You forever, with and in our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom we ask this, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP119I “According to Your Word, O LORD” or TPH231 “Whate’er My God Ordains Is Right”
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