Deuteronomy 8:1-20

LESSON EIGHT Deuteronomy 8:1 to Deuteronomy 11:32

7. THE THREAT FROM WITHIN (Deuteronomy 8:1 to Deuteronomy 11:21)

a. THE DANGER OF PROSPERITY (Deuteronomy 8:1-20)

All the commandment which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which Jehovah sware unto your fathers. 2 And thou shalt remember all the way which Jehovah thy God hath led thee these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble thee, to prove thee, to know what was in thy heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments or not. 3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man does not live by bread only, but by every thing that proceedeth out of the mouth of Jehovah doth man live. 4 Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years. 5 And thou shalt consider in thy heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so Jehovah thy God chasteneth thee. 6 And thou shalt keep the commandments of Jehovah thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him, 7 For Jehovah thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; 8 a land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig-trees and pomegranates; a land of olive-trees and honey; 9 a land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig copper. 10 And thou shalt eat and be full, and thou shalt bless Jehovah thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. 11 Beware lest thou forget Jehovah thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his ordinances, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: 12 lest, when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; 13 and when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; 14 then thy heart be lifted up, and thou forget Jehovah thy God, who brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; 15 who led thee through the great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents and scorpions, and thirsty ground where was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; 16 who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not; that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end: 17 and lest thou say in thy heart, My power and the might of my hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18 But thou shalt remember Jehovah thy God, for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth; that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as at this day. 19 And it shall be, if thou shalt forget Jehovah thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. 20 As the nations that Jehovah maketh to perish before you, so shall ye perish; because ye would not harken unto the voice of Jehovah your God.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 8:1-20

173.

Wasn-'t the purpose of the wilderness wanderings to punish Israel for faithlessness? Read Deuteronomy 8:2 and explain.

174.

What is involved in the phrase concerning the manna in Deuteronomy 8:3: which thou knewest not?

175.

Our Lord cited this verse (Deuteronomy 8:3) to Satan. Israel did live by bread (and almost bread alone when we consider the conditions when the manna or bread was given) what then is meant by saying, but by every thing that proceedeth out of the mouth of Jehovah doth man live.?

176.

Are we to understand that there was some supernatural preservation of the garments of Israel? Discuss.

177.

Over and over again we are told to fear the Lord but this is not the fear we know in normal life. Discuss the difference.

178.

If Jehovah had not chastened Israel they would not be ready to enter Canaan. Why?

179.

Why mention iron and copper?

180.

Why is it so easy to forget our God in prosperity?

181.

What is involved in the phrase referring to the lifting up of the heart? Cf. Deuteronomy 8:14.

182.

Are God's ultimate purposes always for our good? Discuss. Cf. Deuteronomy 8:16.

183.

From man's viewpoint: why is it better to be humble-minded?

184.

For what accomplishments in life should man take credit?

185.

Does God grant to some men special powers of getting wealth? Discuss.

186.

Read Psalms 39:4 and apply to this text and our present life.

AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 8:1-20

All the commandments which I command you this day you shall be watchful to do, that you may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to give to your fathers.
2 And you shall (earnestly) remember all the way which the Lord your God led you these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you, and to prove you, to know what was in your (mind and) heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.
3 And He humbled you and allowed you to hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know; that he might make you recognize and personally know that man does not live by bread only, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.
4 Your clothing did not become old upon you, nor did your foot swell, these forty years.
5 Know also in your (mind and) heart that, as a man disciplines and instructs his son, so the Lord your God disciplines and instructs you.

6 So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and (reverently) fear Him. [Proverbs 8:13.]

7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills;
8 A land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey,
9 A land in which you shall eat food without shortage, and lack nothing in it, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper.
10 When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for all the good land which He has given you.
11 Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God, by not keeping His commandments, His precepts, and His statues, which I command you today,
12 Lest when you have eaten and are full, and have built goodly houses, and live in them,
13 And when your herds and flocks multiply, and your silver and gold is multiplied, and all you have is multiplied;
14 Then your (mind and) heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God Who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage,
15 Who led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, but Who brought you forth water out of the flinty rock;
16 Who fed you in the wilderness with manna which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end.
17 And beware lest you say in your (mind and) heart, My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.
18 But you shall (earnestly) remember the Lord your God; for it is He Who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as at this day.
19 And if you forget the Lord your God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish.
20 Like the nations which the Lord makes perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the Lord your God.

COMMENT 8:1-20

This chapter points up two grave dangers Israel would face as a result of their prosperity. These dangers, we might add, are faced by every child of God when prosperity and blessings come their way. They are:

(1)

Forgetfulness of past discipline (Deuteronomy 8:1-16)

(2)

Self-deification (Deuteronomy 8:17-20)

OBSERVE TO DO, THAT YE MAY LIVE, AND MULTIPLY (Deuteronomy 8:1)See also Deuteronomy 4:1; Deuteronomy 4:40, Deuteronomy 5:33 and remarks.

THESE FORTY YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS, THAT HE MIGHT HUMBLE THEE, TO PROVE THEE, TO KNOW WHAT WAS IN THY HEART, WHETHER THOU WOULDEST KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, OR NOT (Deuteronomy 8:2)See also Deuteronomy 8:16, where the additional purpose is given: to do thee good at thy latter end. See also Exodus 15:25-26; Exodus 20:18-20. God's purpose was to put thee to the proof (etc.) (Rotherham).. so that he might discover your true disposition and learn whether you will observe His orders or not (Berkeley).

AND FED THEE WITH MANNA, WHICH THOU KNEWEST NOT, NEITHER DID THY FATHERS KNOW (Deuteronomy 8:3)See also Deuteronomy 8:16. In what sense is this to be understood? Exodus 16:13-15 provides the inspired answer. They at first neither understood what the manna was or who had provided it. Hence Moses-' reply This is the thing which Jehovah hath commanded (Exodus 16:16). But the real purpose of the hunger and the manna was to teach Israel a great lesson of dependence upon God for everything, as these verses go on to say, This lesson neither they nor their fathers understooddid not begin to grasp.

THAT HE MIGHT MAKE THEE KNOW THAT MAN DOTH NOT LIVE BY BREAD ONLY, BUT BY EVERY THING THAT PROCEEDETH OUT OF THE MOUTH OF JEHOVAH DOTH MAN LIVE (Deuteronomy 8:3)For forty years Israel had wandered in one of the bleakest, driest, most foreboding deserts known to man (Geographers often think of the Sinai Peninsula and the Arabian desert as an extension of the Sahara Desert). They were being schooledshown the absolute necessity of heeding and obeying THE WORD OF GOD! (Deuteronomy 8:2).

What kept Israel alive during this period? How did this great horde of people survive all the rigors of desert life? What kept their bodies from being just so many bleached bones drying in the desert sun?

Verse three gives the divine answer. Every move Israel made needed the definite direction and commandment of God! With the movement of the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, Israel moved. At the commandment of Jehovah they encamped, and at the commandment of Jehovah they journeyed: they kept the charge of Jehovah, at the commandment of Jehovah by Moses (Numbers 9:23), And so it was that in every way they were dependent on God's direction and help: When to attack an enemy, or when to go around him (as in the case of Edom we have just studied). Practically all their food was miraculously supplied from Godand at times their water. Because God decreed it, their raiment or shoes did not wear out nor did their feet swell (Deuteronomy 8:4, Cf. Deuteronomy 29:5). Again and again God helped themagain and again he chastised them. And what was the purpose of all this? That they might know, and know of a certainty, that a man's life is absolutely and totally dependent upon the will of God and the word of God! Oh how God hoped that his children would come to have a sense of utter and complete dependence upon himand trust him for everything! He hoped they would realize, and think, If the Lord will, we shall both live, and do this or that (James 4:15).

It was, of course, a temptation for them to be primarily concerned with their stomachs (Numbers 11:4-6; Numbers 18-20). But they should have learned more than this! They should have learned that all of God's words, instructions, and dealings with them were designed to be heeded. He gives no unnecessary commandshis dealings are all for a purpose.

In his temptation in the wilderness Jesus refers to this passage and enlarges upon its meaning (Matthew 4:1-4). As Israel had been forty years in a desert place, so Christ had been forty days in the wilderness. He, too, would be tempted to think of the physicalespecially after a forty-day fast! Yet his refutation of Satan is, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Reader, do you realize the far-reaching significance and importance of that statement? In God's eyes (and he knows youhe is your creator!) you are not really living unless you are living under the authority and by the dictates of his holy word!

Israel's food and water were miraculously supplied by God. Their stomachs were not really what sustained them. They were supernaturally sustainedalways! For they did all eat the same spiritual food; and did all drink of the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them; and the rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:3-4). God, the Spirit, and the Son were involved in the sustenance of the people of Godhave always beenever will be. Surely they could say, much more than the Athenians of Paul's day, he is not far from each one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being (Acts 17:27-28).

To go through life under the delusion that the material, the tangible, the touchable, and the tasteable are all that we should live for, is to soon starve from hungersoul hunger! We were created in the image of God, and with an inborn capacity to praise, adore, and serve himif we will! Can we say with Jeremiah, Thy words were found, and I did eat them. (Jeremiah 15:16)? Or with Job, I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured up the words of his mouth MORE THAN MY NECESSARY FOOD (Job 23:12)? Bread, of course, is material. It is a term used throughout the Bible, for food. So our verse becomes the equivalent of saying, Material things are entirely insufficient as a life-sustainer. Such as the teaching of Jesus over and over again: Matthew 5:6; Matthew 6:31-33, John 6:35; John 6:53; John 6:58; John 6:68. Truly, It is the Spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: THE WORDS THAT I HAVE SPOKEN UNTO YOU ARE SPIRIT AND ARE LIFE (John 6:63).

Surely this passage teaches the absolute inadequacy and insufficiency of the material in life. Man shall NOT live by bread alone. Doctors and Nurses have testified that babies have died because they lacked Tender Loving Care (T.L.C.)though they had plenty of physical nourishment. And so is the soul who is not attached to the love of God! He is dead while he lives (1 Timothy 5:6, Revelation 3:1). On the other hand, godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come (1 Timothy 4:8). Our minds, then, should not be set upon the uncertain things of this fading world, but on God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17).

The Great Physician, who alone can heal the sin-sick soul, has diagnosed our malady and given us his prescription. He demands that we literally live by his wordshang on them as it were. He who knows us and created us gave these directions.. the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps (Jeremiah 10:23). What is the conclusion?

Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart
And lean not upon thine own understanding:
In all thy ways acknowledge him,
And he will direct thy paths

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

THY RAIMENT WAXED NOT OLD UPON THEE, NEITHER DID THY FOOT SWELL, THESE FORTY YEARS (Deuteronomy 8:4)Deuteronomy 29:5 adds thy shoe is not waxed old upon thy foot. Clarke, as well as others, doubts that an actual miracle is involved here. But the inferences he attaches to such a miracle (such as the clothes growing with the children) seem entirely out of order. Lange, along with one of his editors, Dr. A. Gosman, states,

It was a miraculous blessing, Moses says, without once stopping to reason why it should occur. It does not exclude the use of natural supplies to which Kurtz refers, the rich herds supplying abundantly wool and leather, the numerous garments and sandals which every Israelite must have possessed (Exodus 12:34-35) the garments of the Egyptians which were washed ashore (Exodus 14:30) and the booty they would have secured from the Amalekites [Exodus 17:13] sq. We need not hold with some Jewish Rabbis, or some Christian expositors, that the clothes and shoes upon the children grew with their growth, or with a reference to Ezekiel 16:10 sq., that the Angel was present as a tailor in the wilderness. [It is idle, of course, to speculate as to the process by which this result was secured, as it would be to ask how Christ multiplied the loaves and the fishes. But while we need not overlook the natural supplies, nor exclude human agency in part, as that agency was used in collecting and preparing the manna; it is clear that these natural supplies were supplemented by some special and miraculous exercise of the divine powerA.G.]

AS A MAN CHASTENETH HIS SON, SO JEHOVAH THY GOD CHASTENETH THEE (Deuteronomy 8:5)Cf. Proverbs 3:11-12; Job 5:17, Hebrews 12:4-13.

A GOOD LAND, etc. (Deuteronomy 8:7-10)See also Deuteronomy 11:8-15. The description is not exaggeratedand it was only the sins of Israel that caused the land to be other than this.

A LAND WHOSE STONES ARE IRON, AND OUT OF WHOSE HILLS THOU MAYEST DIG COPPER (Deuteronomy 8:9)Iron and copper had long been in use (Genesis 4:22) along with other metals (Numbers 31:22, Deuteronomy 3:11; Deuteronomy 4:20 and notes, Deuteronomy 33:25, etc.), though the Iron Age in history was only emerging. The oldest pieces of iron known to exist at this writing are Egyptian sickle blades and a crosscut saw, all of a much earlier date than the book of Deuteronomy. Copper has been one of man's most useful metals for over 5,000 years. Both of these are still found in the Negev (Negeb) area of present-day Israel, though not in large amounts.

BEWARE LEST THOU FORGET JEHOVAH THY GOD (Deuteronomy 8:11)Prosperity, the enjoying of the good things of life, and particularly material and temporal blessingsso often lead one away from the very God who gave them! This danger is expressed again and again in Deuteronomy. See also Deuteronomy 6:10-12 and notes, Deuteronomy 11:13-15, etc.

THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE WILDERNESS (Deuteronomy 8:15)See Deuteronomy 1:19, notes. wherein were FIERY SERPENTS AND SCORPIONS AND THIRSTY GROUND WHERE THERE WAS NO WATER (Deuteronomy 8:15)One naturally thinks of Numbers 21:4 ff. here, but apparently this is better understood as a more inclusive statement, simply descriptive of the barren and hazardous nature of nearly all the land through which they had just traveled.

There were several kinds of poisonous serpents in this area (Cf. Isaiah 30:6). The scorpions of this land, usually two or three inches long, have stings, which, though often exceedingly painful for several hours, are seldom fatal. (I.S.B.E.)

WHO BROUGHT THEE FORTH WATER OUT OF THE ROCK OF FLINT (Deuteronomy 8:15)At least twice, Exodus 17:6, Numbers 20:11.

MANNA WHICH THY FATHERS KNEW NOT (Deuteronomy 8:16)See Our discussion of this phrase under Deuteronomy 8:3.

THAT HE MIGHT HUMBLE THEE, AND THAT HE MIGHT PROVE THEE, TO DO THEE GOOD AT THY LATTER END (Deuteronomy 8:16See also Deuteronomy 8:2-3; Deuteronomy 8:5 and notes. Not God's purpose in all this: to do thee GOOD in thy latter end! Such is always God's design in the disciplining of his children, But their response to such discipline may be backbiting and backsliding. His designs and purposes are always for our good (Romans 8:28) but whether this design is effective or not is contingent upon a proper attitude and response from his children. His chastizements, as well as his commands, are for our good always (Deuteronomy 6:24).

AND LEST THOU SAY IN THY HEART, MY POWER AND THE MIGHT OF MY HAND HATH GOTTEN ME THIS WEALTH (Deuteronomy 8:17)Such has always been the temptation of menwhen it is God who has blessed them! Man seems to think that if God should bless him, then it must surely be because of his own greatness and goodness! It must be something he did, and therefore something he for which should be commended. But the next verse serves as a rebuke for all who think in such terms.

BUT THOU SHALT REMEMBER JEHOVAH THY GOD, FOR IT IS HE THAT GIVETH THEE POWER TO GET WEALTH (Deuteronomy 8:18)True, no matter what means or talents one may be able to employ toward the acquiring of wealth. Where is the room for boasting or pride here? By the principle stated, no sensible reason exists for pridefor all we are able to do is only possible if the Lord allows (1 Corinthians 15:10). For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall both live, and do this or that (James 4:15). The blessing of Jehovah, it maketh rich (Proverbs 10:22). The Rich Fool had great plans himself, but they were short-lived when God said to him, Thou foolish one, this night is thy soul required of thee; and the things which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God (Luke 12:20-21). Who empowers and enables us to have the good things of life we enjoyspiritual, material, or whatever? The Bible principle is, Except JEHOVAH build the house, they labor in vain that build it: Except JEHOVAH keep the city, The watchman waketh but in vain (Psalms 127:1).

Who gives the power and strength to earn wealth? The power of mind to think and reason and thus increase earning power? The natural ability of voice, hand, eye, etc. which, when developed, often increase earnings? The health and energy with which to work? The air to breathe, the power to breathe it, the 103,680 heartbeats a day to keep us alive? Paul said of God, in him we LIVE and MOVE and HAVE OUR BEING (Acts 17:28), but do we appreciate it?

Some one says, But I am strong, industrious, healthy, intelligent, and have good business judgment. If so, who gave you these basic traits, and who enables you to cultivate them? Who spares your life day by day? Who supplies every breath of air you breathe? Who sustains the body, grants every heartbeat as a gift of his love? O how we need to pray with David.

Jehovah make me to know mine end,
And the measure of my days, what it is;
Let me know how frail I am.

(Psalms 39:4)